How do I get my 17 month old to eat meat?

Question

I'm worried my son is not getting enough nutrients from meat. He won't touch steak or pork chops, and he'll only eat chicken once in a blue moon. I give him egg to try and give him the protein he needs. Any advice?

Answer 1

Cut it up into tiny tiny tiny chunks and mix it in with some of his favorite foods, creamed corn and pork chop bits is a very good way to get children to start eating meat.

Answer 2

As long as he is eating other healthy foods and drinking whole milk he is likely getting all the nutrients he needs, especially if he is growing and is healthy. Many children do not care for the taste or texture of meat. It is not critical to a well balanced diet, especially when your son is only 17 months old. I suggest that you simply offer him a variety of healthy choices, including meat, and let him choose what and how much he wants to eat. Put just a few small pieces of meat on his plate. Try some other forms of protein such as garbanzo beans and kidney beans. Yogurt is a good source of protein as are some whole grain bread and pasta products. Just read the labels. If he eats fruits and veggies along with some yogurt and whole grain products with his milk, he will be healthy and recieve the nutrients he needs even without the meat. I am mom to 4 kids who are now 27, 25, 22, and 9. None of my older kids were big meat eaters as children and even now are fonder of fruits and veggies and pastas over meat. My 9 year old has had some unusual eating patterns since she was born. I spent quite a bit of time worrying over her. Even when she weighed 26 pounds for nearly a year (between 15 months and a little over 2 years old), her doctor said, "As long as she remains healthy and eats something from all food groups in a weeks time, not to worry. She won't starve herself and there is no need to give her pediasure. My experience is that many children develop quite a taste for it and then begin eating less and less and getting most of their calories from liquid. You don't want that." It is natural to worry about our children, but if your son is getting a good balanced diet he is probably getting enough non-meat protein.

Answer 3

It can take up to 10 tries before a toddler will be willing to eat a certain food. If you are having trouble getting him to eat certain foods, try making foods that have them mixed in. (If he likes spaghetti with sauce, get the tomato sauce that has extra beef in it). Or just try making the food differently - add some gravy to your steak, etc. You are doing the right thing by giving him other foods with the proper nutrients to make up for what he is missing, but just keep trying new things with your food, and you'll find something he likes.

Answer 4

My son (8 years old) is the same way....he'll eat all the carbs I care to put in front of him, but just doesn't like meat that much. I used to stress about it, but he's a normal, healthy kid.

I wouldn't get too worried about it. I have 6 kids, they all had different likes and dislikes, and they all turned out somewhat healthy.

Answer 5

how about getting canned meat (chicken or ham) and mixing it in with something. Like mashed potatoes, or in pasta sauce? The meat comes already minced, so he probably won't even notice.... there are non-meat options, that are probably healthier anyway.... I don't know any, because I love meat!!

Answer 6

Don't. Go to the store and buy him pediatric chewable vitamins. If he wont take them willingly crush them up and put it in his drink or meal. Without his knowledge of course. Keep him away from bad foods and bad drinks. Fresh fruits and veggies. Idaho potatoes. Go to the pharmacists and ask them and they should be able to tell you alot. I have the drug store pharmacist # on speed dial. I ask them everything. It saves me so much money on dr. bills.

Answer 7

i'm sure he's eating peanut butter, and cheese, and all that stuff, right???
he should be fine. keep up with the chicken.
sometimes i tell my kids that pork chops are chicken...and they eat it...

but if you're really worried, then check with his dr.

Answer 8

There are lots of meat substitutes such as lentils.