I have such a difficult time having my child eat "adult" food. He refuses to eat anything my wife and I eat.

Question

He prefers to eat only hot dogs and chickent nuggets and other processed foods. I have tried everything to introduce other foods but everything I try fails. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Have you tried decorating the food?

Make a little forrest of brocolli trees, or decorate a sandwich with carrot eyes, cucumber nose, and tomato mouth.

You can use ketchup to make all sorts of food interesting.
Try drawing a ketchup face on an omelet, or cut the omelet into a flower.

Arrange the mashed potatos in the shape of a fish.

Add a scallion tail, olive eyes, and a ketchup face to a steak, to turn it into a cat.

Arrange fruit wedges in the shape of a butterfly, and decorate with something tempting like chocolate chips.

Answer 2

Just keep introducing those foods. Don't prepare two meals (one for him, one for you) Also, make dinner fun. Have him help out by setting the table, mixing or if you're really creative a veggie garden. If he doesn't want to eat, be firm and let him know that this is the only time he's getting food and the next meal is tomorrow. Both my sisters and nephews went through this and learned real quick to eat what was on their plate instead of going to bed hungry.

Answer 3

It is whatever your baby's tummy can handle!! Our son was quite gassy with Similac but does well with Goodstart and now the generic Costco brand. My milk hadn't come in yet though when we gave him the similac and he now gets 1/2 breast milk, 1/2 formula generally so that could have contributed to him tolerating the other brands better. You may have to do a little trial and error and see what works best for your little one. Sign up on the websites for the free samples so you don't shell out money for something they either throw up or won't eat!

Answer 4

I think this is a typical stage for a child. If you keep introducing fresh and healthy foods into his diet you are doing your job. Try things that he can dip, like carrot sticks with ranch dressing. The novelty can sometimes spark interest. Also, I have found that if they are able to help "cook" then they are more likely to eat it. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Try the "Reward Game" example, you get 3 chicken nuggets
for eating one portion of adult food, then use a lot of variety
of adult food and always the reward system, one chocolate
sundae for 3 small portions adult food.

Answer 6

I have to disagree with starving your child...come on people they aren't dogs. If you let them help you cook, they'll be more liking to eat it. Try childrens cook books for ways to make "adult food" look more appealling. Think about the way spinach looks to a 5 year old. I wouldn't eat it then either.

Answer 7

I have a 3 year old niece who only likes to eat chicken. When I offer her something different I make a game about it. Like try this and tell me if it taste like chicken or I bet this taste better than your chicken. It works every time she will try new things like that but she will still ask for chicken when questioned and that is the problem don't ask them what they want just give it to them.

Answer 8

In my family, you ate what was put in front of you or you didn't eat at all. It didn't matter if it was something we "didn't like". I agree with the other poster, if that's all there is, he will either eat it or go hungry. Trust me, after a few days of not eating, he'll eat it.

Answer 9

do not give any candy or anything else that is sweet for a whole week... do not feed anything else, until he is really hungry. when people are hungry they will eat whatever is there... as soon as he does reward him with ice cream, chips, or something else he likes to do or play with. until he gets used to it... then no rewards will be necessary.

Answer 10

If he sees that is all there is...he will eat.

the processed food is killing him. let him fuss a little and see what happens.