How can i get my 2 1/2 child to eat more nutricious , rather than just having milk all day?

Answer 1

Take the milk away and tell them they can only have the milk after they eat their food. They'll be mad at first, but eventually they will get hungry and they'll eat and then you can give them the milk. Actually, too much milk can cause problems so really you should be cutting back on that anyway.

Answer 2

2 cups or 16 ounces of low-fat or skim milk is recommended on the Food Pyramid for 2-3 year olds. If he is used to eating and drinking all day long, on the run, with no set times for meals and snacks, this may be a good place to begin. Offer him breakfast at the table with 1/2 cup of milk along with his food, such as cereal or toast, and fruit. At first he will probably only drink the milk and ask for more. Offer him water. He will most likely pitch a fit and show you what a true "terrible 2" is really like. Don't back down. About 2 hours later, offer him a nice big snack again with 1/2 cup of milk. In a days time offer him 3 meals and 2-3 snacks, but only give him 1/2 cup milk while at the table. If he walks around during the day with a sippy cup, give him only water in it. Depending on how strong willed he is, he may go a couple weeks before he settles into this new routine. Do not worry, he will not starve nor will he dehydrate. The key to encouraging him to eat more nutritiously is to be a good role model. Eat meals and snacks with him whenever possible. Avoid pre-packaged foods and offer him plenty of fresh fruits and veggies along with whole grain products. Offer other diary products such as string cheese and yogurt. Do not make a battle out of him eating. Offer him food, if he doesn't eat it, remove him and the food from the table and offer it to him later. When he gets hungry and he knows you will not give in to him, he will eat. 2 year olds are notoriously smart and manipulative, if you back down even once and let him have what he wants, he'll be that much more insistent next time. Be firm, mean what you say and say what you mean.

Answer 3

I had problems getting my son to eat healthier, milk wasn't my problem he was addicted to turkey dogs and wouldn't eat anything else, so I started making his food more fun. I would get the matchstick cut carrots at the store and fun shaped pasta or I would give him ranch to dip his veggies in and he loved it. He eats really well now (at least for a 2 1/2 year old). As far as the milk goes, try to start watering it down. I know it sounds gross but thats how I got my son off of milk at bedtime. I just added more and more water over time until I just gave him water and he didnt even notice.

Answer 4

Milk is filling them up so they don't want to eat real food. i had this problem with my youngest.(2.5) I jsut sat her down one day & told her(not that she fully understood) that she was only alloed 3-4 glasses of milk a day. That's all she needs, anything else is cutting into her food needs. ALso, at mealtime I give her one drink of her milk & then set it aside. She has to eat so many bites of her food before she's allowed another drink. It sounds cruel but it's the only way I can get her to eat a full meal & not fill up on milk.

Answer 5

Remember: YOU'RE the parent in the situation -- if you don't want the kid to have milk, don't give it to him. The calories and protein in milk will fill up his belly and make him feel full, so he won't want to eat anything else.

Just lay out the kinds of foods you want him to eat, and let him take his pick. He's gonna whine and gripe and cry about it for a few days; but if you stay firm and make him understand that you mean business, he'll give up that tactic and address the more pressing need of sating his hunger....

Answer 6

Relax, milk is a great and natural source of vitamin D, calcium, protein and fat for your toddler. At least the child isn't drinking high fructose drink mixes or soda.

Try some natural grain cereals with milk added. Serve it in a cup or something fun. Be creative. It could be worse.

Answer 7

Start providing more nutritious things....and keep the milk put away. Give them apple cubes cut up and other fruits. Don't get them started on any junk food...it's a bad habit. By giving them milk all day they are missing vital nutrients and could end up rather sick.

Answer 8

i have a 5y 4y and a 3y old I STILL have to push the fact that they are not going to get fluids until after they eat at least half of thier meal. I have the cups full and sitting on the counter beside the table when they have eatten enuf i give it to them.
(i also do this with desert) it makes them maddddd to see thier brother get desert and they dont get it. but i look at them and say very nicely "you made the choice! if you were too full to eat all your dinner your too full for desert!" and oh that makes them all the madder but they eat dinner the next night!!
I also have tryed a star chart for good and bad behavior and eating all their dinner got them a good star and if they still had fluids after they got done eating they got 2 more this works too but gets expensive on the bad stars!!! they never have gotten the good star reward!!

Answer 9

Don't give ur child so much milk. Substitute with fresh fruit juices or raw vegetables. make eating none hassle time. Give your child nutritious snacks before the milk.

Answer 10

start by introducing the child to fruits - let the child see you enjoying food, children normally eat what the mother eats . If the mother likes it there's a 80% chance the would too