Meat Eating

Leah - posted on 06/01/2010

My mother-in-law had the same problem with my husband! He would eat ham, hot dogs and fish sticks and that was it. When she asked his ped - the doctor said that he would out grow it - he had never met a man before that would turn down a steak... ask him his favorite meal... steak or cheeseburgers! It'll work out! Just takes time to get use to the new textures! Good luck. you can always do peanut butter or cottage cheese as protein for now!

Grandma Kay - posted on 05/30/2010

When I was that small my mom had the same problem with me. She'd beg me, bribe me, punish me but it didn't do any good. She was so afraid I'd be sick from not eating meat. I am now 65 years old, still don't eat meat and am the healthiest of us four children. Don't force it on him. Feed him beans and peanut butter to get his protein. If he wants it later in life, fine. But don't force him. That's just my experience and humble opinion.

Holly - posted on 05/27/2010

this sounds excellent only if I could get them to eat muffins got a recipie for tim bits

Holly - posted on 05/27/2010

I was told introduction of new and already known foods to picky eaters may break the habbit although this has not worked for my 2 yearr old daugfhter or three year old son. my daughter is easier influenced when hungry, enless it is chicken nuggets fish stix or hot dogs its usually a no go for meat . please help any sugestions

Lisa - posted on 05/27/2010

Thanks, I'm not worried about it at all, I think a vegetarian diet is much more nutritional anyway, much better then a traditional diet.

Kimberly - posted on 05/27/2010

My son wont eat meat Either, So I Have come up with some Great meatless alternatives. I have some amazing recipes for Bean loafs and Veggie burgers. If anyone is interested just email me and I can forward them on. I have just come to terms that my son would rather eat veggies and as long as there diet is balanced and they get their Iron and Protein from other foods I wouldnt worry.. Many People choose to be vegatarians based on morals my sons are based on taste and Im ok with it....
Sorry I have no Advice on how to make them eat or enjoy meat but there are plenty of other foods that have the nutrition they need.,....
Good luck...

Lisa - posted on 05/27/2010

I have the same problem with my 19 month old, he will eat all veggies and no meat, except for the baby food jars of like chicken noodle, chicken and stars, turkey dinner. However what I have been doing lately is grinding the meat up and giving him a little meat with every bite of veggies and it works for me. But I am feeding him still, if your child is feeding himself this will not work for you. Good luck.

Kelli - posted on 05/26/2010

Why don't you just let him not eat it?? Unless you are feeding you and your family free range, hormone and antibiotic free animals it healthier for him not to. A good book to read all about meat is called "Eating Animals", if your not a reader watch the documentary "Food Inc."

Amanda - posted on 05/26/2010

My daughter was the same way and still is to some extent now (she's almost 5) I've learned to just choose your battles. If she won't eat it then just compensate with other vegetables or different types of beans. She still refuses most types of meat but if I can get her to eat at least a couple bites then I'm satisfied. The more you push the more he will resist and the worse the power struggle.

Zandisa - posted on 05/26/2010

My baby just realised the other day that chicken is a bird and started calling it Birdy. Now he refuses to eat chicken whch was the only meat he ate.

Kate - posted on 05/26/2010

My son is 2/1/2 and does not eat meat, hardly eats vegetables only corn and beetroot. is very healthy and happy to have a fruit diet. Any bread or cereal I buy is wholegrain/seeded. And I always add wheatgerm which we call special sugar to yogurt fruit smoothes, pancakes whatever whenever I can I add the wheatgerm. The only new thing that he is eating at the moment which is meat is chicken breast fillets in the shape of dinosaurs and this is a hit and miss food. We have made a game of the diaosaurs - eat his head or tail before he eats you. i know its frustrating but hang in there. They change as they grow and as long as your little is growing and healthy then there is nothing to worry. Take it from a mum whos child will only eat vegemite/peanut butter sandwiches for lunch.

Alice - posted on 05/25/2010

I wouldn't worry about eating meat. He will get protein in peanut butter, beans are a great substutute for meats. Eggs are a good source of protein. Milk is also a great source of protein. Veggies are so good for him. If he will eat more than just freach fries you are doing great! He will eventually learn to like meats and probably veggies are better for him. Hopefully he will eat fruits as well.
Good Luck

Michelle - posted on 05/25/2010

I have 20 month old twin boys and neither of them will eat meat. They LOVE fruits and veggies and will actually choose to eat asparagus over cookies (i dont know how i got so lucky) but we cant even hide chicken in their food because they usually know right away. They want nothing to do with nuggets, dinosaur shaped or not. Occasionally they'll eat some hot dog, pork roll or breakfast sausage links but to me thats barely meat. The only way they (MIGHT) eat beef is if its spaghetti & meatballs or a bite of cheeseburger off of my plate.. and its typically only 1 bite. I just give them other protein rich foods instead... beans, peanut butter, eggs, Greek yogurt... they eat them all up with no problem!!! i try not to get too frustrated about what they will and wont eat because it changes so often... im more frustrated with how they throw the food, bowl, spoon, and anything else they get their hands on when they dont want anymore hahaha

Lisa - posted on 05/25/2010

my 2 1/2 year old doesn't like meat either, some things that have worked for us is things grilled and smothered in bbq sauce, or bribing. ice cream more mac n cheese whatever it takes. sometimes he just wont try things so we give him a daily vitamin and he drinks milk like crazy so he's still healthy just not a huge meat eater at this point. but it makes sense to me, the textures and toughness are completly different than most of the favorite foods.

Casper - posted on 05/25/2010

My 2 and 1/2 year old son is doing pretty much the same thing too. He used to eat everything until he started cutting his molars when he went off food pretty much altogether as his teeth were hurting.. Its been like 6 months or more now since they came through and he is only just starting to get his appitite back but still is not too keen on meat although he will eat fish and chicken with no problem. I dont know what it is but after reading the comments on here I think its just a phase as a few mums have said.

Mandy - posted on 05/25/2010

i wouldn't worry. some people just don't like meat. if he likes beans and other sources of protein, there really is no need for the meat. we are raised to believe meat is necessary in our diet, but there are plenty of vegetarians who are raising healthy children. keep offering it, but don't let it get to you. and feel lucky, i can't get my son to eat much of ANYTHING, so i wish it was just a meat aversion! :) good luck, and don't worry! you're doing great and let him be him............ as long as he's growing happily!

Elizabeth - posted on 05/25/2010

I agree that it is probably a texture thing, but could also be a flavor thing. My 19 month old will eat meat, but doesn't really enjoy it...unless it's grilled, then he can't seem to get enough! Try new ways of cooking and new flavors - marinades. Sometimes we make it just too bland for our kids!

Nicola - posted on 05/24/2010

Honestly this is what my son does (2 and a half) and most tots. You need to be calm and not make a fuss about it. The younger you are the more sensitive your taste buds are and he just might not be ready. If you just over him some with his meals and give him lost of greens he will try some when hes ready. If he can talk encourage him to even just lick it, then put it in his mouth, then chew it, then swallow and offer him a reward system when he does it, but honestly don't fuss if he doesn't it creates a negitive thoughts on eating in a child and can cause eating disorders later on. Its really not a big deal as long as hes getting iron from green veges and hes happy and healthy why worry? Also I have found as bad as it may sound my son will eat processed meat like chirios and lunchen and will also eat meat in homemade burgers and meat pies.

Michelle - posted on 05/21/2010

Don't stress Mama. A lot of kids go through this. My 2 youngest will only eat certain meats. They'll eat chicken wings but no other kind of chicken (well nuggets of they won't coarse). They won't eat red meat to save their lives. Just make sure there is another source of protein (beans, peanut butter, etc. . .) and they'll be fine. It may just be a phase

Lindsey - posted on 05/20/2010

Hi
i have had similar trouble with my now three year old! she would eat sausages (but not the skin!!!) and that was all.
I tried various ways of getting her to eat other meat - try making pasta and cutting up sliced ham really really small and mixing it in.
minced beef is really good for little ones, esp if it is minced very finely (ask your butcher or just whack it in the blender v briefly - messy but it works!).
also i make her pasta but for the sauce use the tins of pureed baby food (like heinz) that have meat in, theres a bolognese one, beans and bacon, and sausage pasta. this way at least you know your son is getting the protein he needs.
dont worry too much about lots of variety in his meals - children under four will often be happier with boring meals, the same old things until he is ready to try new things. eating at school will help. as long as he is getting what he needs from each food group he should be fine. if you make it a big deal it will be a big deal - its an acheivement he's eating his veggies!!
i always recommend
www.supernanny.co.uk
for eating ideas.
good luck xxx

Kat - posted on 05/19/2010

thanks for the advice guys, we had a meat pie for dinner the other night and he came back for seconds, he also kinda eats spagetti and meatballs when he wants to that is, we've tried the funny shapes he doesnt give in to it, but will keep trying and wont force him, thanks heaps

Cindy - posted on 05/19/2010

Mine was like that until just a couple of months ago. But this is nothing to worry about because like the other mothers say he will get protein from the other foods. Try dipping sauces ketchup, ranch , etc, mine loved that now she tries all kinds of meat. And the shaped nuggets etc. works also. But yea I wouldnt worry about this, he will b fine, and have u and daddy eat with him on certain meats and tell him how much u like it. my daughter eats watever she sees her daddy eat lol ....

Jaclyn - posted on 05/19/2010

Some kids are wierd about the feeling of things he might not like the texture of the meat.

Louise - posted on 05/19/2010

Most children will eat minced beef in the form of a shepherds pie. Have you tried the shaped meats especially made for children. There are dinosaur chicken shapes and silly faces sausage shapes. If he thinks it's funny he might be inclined to eat it.Also make potatoe cakes with little flakes of meat in as well as vergetables. There is no point in forcing your child to eat as they will just dig their feet in and refuse even more. Just simply keep offering meat as you would eat it as well and eventually he will give in. No fuss from you should eventually bring no fuss from him either. Good luck

Nicole - posted on 05/18/2010

Don't sweat it too much. Just make sure you have other protein rich foods in his diet. At his age with regards to meat, it's generally a texture thing.
Keep offering a little bit of it at each meal and get him to taste a single piece. After that don't worry about it.

Good luck!

Morgan - posted on 05/18/2010

If it is protein you are worried about they can get it from other things. Don't sweat it if he eat the meat just give him alternatives to get the needed protein and other nutrients he needs from the meat.

Caitlin - posted on 05/18/2010

I've tried to use dipping sauce as a helper on that one.. I put a tiny dot of a favorite sauce (teriaki, ketchup, mustard, whatever..) on her plate, then she eats it, usually just with her fingers, then I say if you want more, you need to take 1 bite of meat, and when she takes that bite, I give her a tiny bit of sauce. When she stops with the meat, there is no more sauce.. Usually I can get her to eat a few bites that way. I've also heard you can hide ground up (like pureed) meats in other food and they almost never notice.. Try putting some meat in a recipie of muffins, just mix it in with the batter then bake them. Your kid shouldn't even notice that it's there (especially if it's chocolate chip). Then they are getting their protein. All you have to do is make 2 batches, 1 batch for you, 1 for your kid, and then he will see you are eating the same thing, even though yours doesn't have the meat in it.

Jennifer - posted on 05/18/2010

My brother didn't eat meat at all until he was like, 7. He eats it now. He never had any physical problems growing. Talk to your doctor and see what he says about it.