i'm just curious, because my 2 year old has most of his teeth(quite a few molars too) but doesn't seem to be able to chew salad very well. he can eat most foods, including raw fruits and some meats without difficulty chewing. however, i will occasionally give him a leaf of lettuce and he will munch on it, then spit it out, still intact.
i don't think the flavor has much to do with it...i'm pretty sure he just isn't used to the texture of lettuce(i mainly eat mixed greens).
is 2 just not a safe age to eat lettuce? what about other raw vegetables? if i cut them up small enough will he be ok? so far, he has only been able to eat tomatoes...i love raw veggies, but i understand if i will still have to cook his. thank you for the advice. :-)
2006-07-23 18:29:23 · 10 answers · asked by curious 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
p.s. please be polite--i am not an idiot.
yes, i know children have taste buds--who doesn't? lol. goodness...i swear.
i just didn't think the taste of the lettuce i have given him bothered him because it was soaked in ranch dressing, his favorite. therefore, i know it was the texture.
thank you for those who were not rude.
2006-07-23 18:44:15 · update #1
My son is 22 months old and I had the same problem... he had problems with the texture of the lettuce... he'd just spit it put just as it went in. So, what I did was to switch to ready to eat baby spinach... It went over well in sandwiches and I'd cut it into shreds and steam it in a pan with a few spuirts of water... It's very healthy and more nutritous than lettuce, which is mostly water... Also, spinach is actually better for your eyes than carrots... Anyway, my son LOVES when I make the steamy spinach and mix it into a small amount of rice, chopped cilantro and tomatoes... I like to get creative with it... the point is that the raw stuff is still too crisp for their palates (roof of the mouth) and not the taste buds... If you still want to try the raw lettuce incorporate them in a sandwich or veggie wrap with a ranch dip... The more familiar textures of the other foods will make it easier to get used to the lettuce and other raw veggies... Good Luck!!!
2006-07-24 18:26:07 · answer #1 · answered by Mexi Poff 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your child is still learning about food textures. That is why he seems to not be able to chew very well. He is actually TASTING what goes into his mouth rather than just shoving it in and chomping on it then swallowing it. You might take a lesson from him. He is old enough to eat raw carrots, peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, just remember every time you introduce a new food he will have some type of reaction to it because it's new...and he quite possibly did NOT like the taste of the lettuce leaf. Babies aren't stupid.
2006-07-24 01:36:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
My son loves salads with Ranch dressing also. He was eating them about 2 years also. If he likes it and you think it's just the texture, try cutting it up or get the string lettuce. I wouldn't worry about it so much. Just give him time.
2006-07-24 12:19:40 · answer #3 · answered by hogheavenkm 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i imagine that the texture and shape would be hard for a child to understand. My daughter LOVES salad, but she always asks me why I give her those green papers :) I think that, given time, he will find his way around the lettuce. Good for you that he is eating raw vegetables!
2006-07-24 03:40:50 · answer #4 · answered by Leah S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You sound like my kind of parent. It may be the rib on the leaf that he doesn't like. My 2 year old eats lots of raw vegetables. including carrots. His favorites are green beans, snap peas and celery. I do cut them all into bite size pieces, and do my best to destring the celery. I noticed that certain greens are more to his liking - romaine and spinach for instance. Keep up the good nutritional work!
2006-07-24 11:29:25 · answer #5 · answered by Z Town Mom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Id be careful lettuce is a big choking hazard ... my daughter eats ranch dressing by the cup full though hehe
2006-07-24 02:12:42 · answer #6 · answered by happyhearts21 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do believe it is pretty safe but you may want to ask your doctor first, He may not like salads because of the fact that he spits it out. Give him very small pieces.
2006-07-24 01:37:58 · answer #7 · answered by bella 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have an 18 mo old. He eats salad if it has dressing on it. Then again, he goes through phases on what he will and won't eat. If you are really concerned, call your doctor's nurse. That's what I do.
2006-07-24 02:09:56 · answer #8 · answered by Melanie W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure! My two year old loves salad! Just make sure everything is cut up well
2006-07-24 01:33:22 · answer #9 · answered by jaswinelover1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not advisable to give toddlers raw food because their immune system is not as strong as ours.
To be exact, try asking a pedia.....
2006-07-24 01:37:06 · answer #10 · answered by Lee_386 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋