Hello, my question is regarding my three year old son,How do i get him to try different foods?

Question

He is stuck on only a few foods, we cant ever go out anywhere nice because he wont eat anything off the menu,he takes vitamens and drinks pedisure but it frustrates me as a mother.

Ok Here is more details, i understand that Vitamins are not a substitute for food, (those are just for my peace of mind) he eats every meal. He just likes hot dogs without the bun, Raman noodles and taco meat. And he eat cereal for breakfast. I've tried if you don't like what i cook do with out, but then he goes to pre-k and tell his teachers he's hungry he didn't eat super last night and i get a visit form cps....im just at a loss I've always wanted to be super mom, its harder than It looks I guess.

Answer 1

Well hopefully this helps you...
Try making the food more decorated..because kids love decorations , and colors.
For Example: Kids love smarties, because of the colorful colors. Cookies for their shapes too.

Answer 2

You're letting him get away with it... order something for him, and if he doesn't eat it, he doesn't eat at all. Give him a few options: you can have A, B, or C, which one would you like? So that way he does have some choice, but when the food comes, if he doesn't eat it, too bad.

When you cook, take the same attitude: he can either eat what you've fixed, or he can go hungry. That sounds cruel, but if you stop pampering him, he will eat.

My sister totally spoiled my niece who is an only child, and now, 19 years later, she is the pickiest eater who won't try anything new since my sister coddled her, and never forced her to try different foods when she was younger.

I think it's pitiful that a three year old has to take vitamins.

Answer 3

I have super stubborn 5 and 7 year olds...I´ve been where you are. Have faith! Stop buying his regular likes...and you might even have to let him refuse to eat once in a while...but a day or two of not eating much will not hurt him--especially when you consider the future benefits of a healthy, varied diet. Put the food on the table--don´t offer options. If he doesn´t want to eat, let him go hungry. Yes, until the next meal. Don´t let him fill up later on unhealthy snacks. Or, if he is a snacker, make sure that all his snacks are healthy: apple slices, a handful of raisins, a slice of cheese. Is there a particular color of food, particular texture or lack of texture that seems to be the root of the problem? Negotiate: he can pick one meal, but you get to pick the next meal. "Wonder" out loud, in front of him, if maybe he isn´t old enough for new foods, but also remember to mention that you aren´t going to worry about it because you know someday he is going to grow up and eat well...so he will want to show you that he is grown up enough to try new things. Praise him for at least trying new things. Try letting him pick something new at the grocery store. Go slow--a new food a week is progress! Try letting him help you prepare the food. Let him eat with other children who do eat a variety of foods--peer pressure can work positively too. Ask a neighbor to "invite" him over for lunch (even if you send the food with him, but don´t accompany him). Does your son see you eat new, different things? And remember, vitamins are not an adequate substitute for food.

Answer 4

I had this same problem 6 months ago with the 3 kids I take care of. (they are almost 6, 4, and almost 3.) All they would eat is hot dogs, chicken nuggets/tenders, mashed potatoes, french fries. All the usual kid favorites. I made a rule. They MUST try what is on their plate. If they do not like it then they do not have to have any more (at this time) But the next time you serve it they have to try it again. Every time I'd serve a new food I'd pair it with something I know they love. I made meatballs (my own recipie) the 1st time I tried something new and paired it with mac and cheese and a veggie I knew the liked. Last night I made Alfredo and paired it with a salad and garlic bread. They had never had alfredo before and all 3 Tried it with no problem and Loved it. But it took a while for the new rules to set in and their mom followed through when she fed them anything. Now they come to expect something new and If we don't they ask us wheres the new food?. But it does take time and you must stand by the rules. When I first started this the almost 6 year old would NOT try any new foods. So for 3 days he had to sit at the table till he tried it. He caught on very quickly that all he had to do was take one bite and then he could get down. (I know some people might think thats mean but I really don't care) Its better than him being extreamly picky all his life. Another good way to get him to try new things is to make up silly names for them. we called alfredo "cheesy spaghetti". My special meatballs are called "cheesy balls". We make smoothies for breakfast/ morning snack. We put 1 cup of milk 1 packet of chocolate carnation instant breakfast and a little (between 1/2 and 1 cup) of Ice and a banana into a blender and blend until smooth. Its both delicious and good for them. I can Not stress enough to let him help you cook. I have had the kids in the kitchen helping me cook since they could stand. Get a cook book (I use kid friendly cook books) and let him pick something he'd like to make. Then everyone tries it. We have made homemade fries (that were both healthy for them and tasted really good) homemade chicken strips, We made mixed berry waffles. Emmy(4) and I made some really neat cup cackes for her to bring to school for her halloween party (guess what) they were quite healthy for the kids and the kids didn't even know it.

The kids are now asking me to make some berry waffles. So I am off to make some.

Answer 5

I think some kids are just less adventurous on food than others. Mine is like that as well. And hiding food never works for us cause my son can "detect" what's in each bite immediately.

Sometimes I find it easier when I don't even offer him the food on my plate. (He gets his own plate with food he would eat.) After he watching me and my husband chow down the"look-good" food for a while, he would ask for a bite and that's when I get him to try new stuff.

When we have to go out to eat but i'm sure he would not eat off the item on the menu, I would just bring his food to avoid the scene. Restaurant is not the place I want to train my kid from eating new food.

Good luck!

Answer 6

My twins are going through this at two years of age. Bad thing is - they do not like the same things!

Anyway, what we have been doing is hiding new foods by mixing them with others, as other people have mentioned. Then, after a while of doing this, just serving the "gross" food by itself. Usually, the kids will eat it, after grumbling a bit, but they recognize the taste and realize that it is not so bad.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Hmmmm...

Try mixing new foods in with old favorites. Like, maybe put some carrots inside with a hot dog. Or make fruite ice creams. I am sure you can find some ideas on the internet.

Answer 8

I had this same problem. My parents sort of "hid" the foods in what I liked to eat. For example, I didn't like vegetables so they made yummy things with vegetables in the recipe. I had no idea and it worked great.

Answer 9

His taste buds are still developing, so you have to try the same things maybe a few days later. My daughter went through this, and things she didn't like one week, she liked the next. If he holds it in his mouth and says he doesn't like it, try again. If he immediately wants to spit it out, he probably won't ever like it.

Answer 10

Woop him!!!