How do you get twin 20mth boys to eat veggies or food in general?

Question

They will eat bananas and hot cereal,yogurt and toast. Regular meals, like supper, they just seem really picky with.

Answer 1

I know, I know. At least the food they are eating is good for them. Resist the temptation of putting junk in front of them even if you know they'll eat it. Try and try again, because their taste buds change all the time.



By the way....just to make you feel better: my pediatrician told me that all the nutrients found in veggies are also found in fruits, so as long as they are eating one or the other they will be fine.

Answer 2

When you make a meal just give them a smaller plate of whatever you are having, if they eat any of it they eat it, if they don't they don't. Don't make them anything special, if they ask for something just tell them "This is what we are having for ____". When you are all done with the meal if they are still hungry offer them two choices of fruits and veg. Say you can have an apple or some carrots. Only after the meal is DONE, and only letting them eat at the table. Then they will see that if they just eat with the family they can get back to playing faster. Don't make a big deal out of whether they eat or not, that is a battle you will only loose.

For snacks do the same thing, offer two choices and if they ask for something different that you don't want to give them you can just say no. If they ask for something you want them to eat well then you can "give in".

Try making veggies more interesting though, some toddlers really go for complex flavours. Try curried veggies, or veggies in tomato sauce, cheese melted on top, add some soy sauce, or ginger or other spices. Or offer them a dipping sauce (guacamole is healty, so is salsa, or pureed fruit/veggie. Just because you wouldn't eat carrots dipped in apple sauce doens't mean there is anything wrong with it) Mix it up a bit don't just make it plain veggies over and over again. Offer a choice of dips too. Toddlers love to have choices and if you give them enough healthy choices they'll forget to ask for cereal or toast ;)

Answer 3

Give them fun names - call carrot and cucumber sticks magic wands or something. Call spaghetti worms. Also, finger food is fun at that age. Offer apple slices, carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, stuff like that. Put a little peanut butter as a dip for the apple slices or give them a little yogurt to dip the fruit in - something they already like, a little salad dressing for veggie sticks.... Even if it's something you wouldn't touch in a million years, NEVER let them know it grosses you out.

Kids go thru stages where they will only eat certain things. I know of a kid who used to eat 5 pounds of grapes a week. Now, he eats anything that doesn't get off his plate. Just keep offering different foods - especially when you know they're hungry. If they've filled up on juice, they're not going to want real food. If they're hungry, they'll be more interested in what's offered.

Also - it helps if you're eating the same things. Kids like to imitate what grownups do. If they're getting spaghetti and you're having a steak, they're going to wonder why you're not having the same thing they are... If everyone eats the same meal, it'll become a case of monkey-see, monkey do.

Answer 4

Wow this could have been my own question. Mine are 25 months old and I just keep trying (perisistence) and give them a variety. Last night for supper I gave them toast, vanilla pudding, shredded pork, mixed vegetables, cut up apple and scrambled eggs. I also sometimes wonder if they will ever EAT! My Dr. says I am the paranoid one and they are growing on track. I also give them a walmart brand of pedia sure once in a while. Best wishes!

Answer 5

You have to serve it at least 18 times before they'll try it lol.

Seriously, just serve it, over and over again, till it becomes familiar. Eventually, they'll try it at least once.

If you just have to get them to do it now, try this (but no guarantees): Put the food you want them to eat on your plate but not theirs. Make sure you are sitting next to them where they can reach your plate. Cover your plate with your hand and shake a finger at them, warning them not to eat your food. Wait about 15 seconds (take a bite of the food in question and 'mmmm' about it to yourself), then get up and walk away for a few minutes.

Works for mine like a charm, but not all kids are as gullible as mine lol

Answer 6

I had a similar problem as yours. I got my 3-year old and 4-year old kids each a Tickle Me Elmo TMX, and they just love playing with this doll. Since then, they would just obey whatever I tell them to do! Also, check out this site http://www.upkb.com/elmotmx.php for product tips and details.

Answer 7

this one worked for my sister . she used food dyes and made the food diffrent colors told the boys it was cartoon food it wont taste no diffrent she started with the little corn on the cobs mash taters. now they eat them all with no dye on it at all it just made them see that the veggies where good .

Answer 8

they're still developing a sense of taste...offer a variety of veggies, set an example by eating them too...make cutsie shapes out of them if you can...give them cutsie names, like trees for broccoli, bunny food, etc. make dipping sauces, like low-fat ranch dressing, etc. i guess i was very lucky...my 4 kids would eat anything, even okra, which i don't even like. lol. some kids are picky...they'll prob grow out of it. just keep offering a variety of foods for them to try...sometimes they'll eat a raw veggie over a cooked one, and vice-versa. best of luck.

Answer 9

trick them. put veggies in their favorite foods in small amounts. get the pizza with everything on it. slowly but surely up their dose of veggies in the food.

Answer 10

It's probably the texture that they don't like. Make sure they have a multivitimin or pediasure shakes to drink.