I need some food ideas for a 17 month old?

Question

He is very picky and I feel like he isn't eating enough,but he is gaining weight(he is 25lbs).He likes to eat cereal,yogurt,cottage cheese with fruit,mac and cheese,french toast,finger foods,pb&j sandwiches,crackers,and not much of anything else.He won't eat meat.I let him sit in the high chair and feed himself ,but if he doesn't like it he just throws it on the floor.So,I need some other ideas.Please help.Thank you

Answer 1

Ya know I wouldn't worry about it too much. My doctor told me that if he has a few fav things that he likes then just let him eat that. Keep trying to introduce different things but it's probably just a phase. I used to worry but now as long as he eats something that he likes that's good. I usually try to give him a bite of something that I'm eating. My son is 16 mo. and he'll eat things better if I melt a little bit of velveeta cheese on it. I've been trying to get him to eat beans, they are so good for them and he never would so today I put a little velveeta in and he ate it. Of course he eats mac and cheese all th time. I heard that it takes up to 13 times to be introduced to something before they may decide they like it. Just keep trying.

Answer 2

He is OK not eating meat for now, its tough and hard to swallow. Ground beef is a good way to get meat in, like in spaghetti, or lasagna. Soups are another great food for toddlers. Canned or homemade. You can take the meat out and cut it up super tiny or shred it then put it back in his bowl. The foods you listed he eats are very typical of a 1-2 year old. My son is just turning 3 and is finally now OK with certain meats. My mom who raised 7 kids and is a grandma of 13 said to me "if you can get a child to eat cereal, you are doing great!" Cereal is enriched with many vitamins.
One thing I do for my son, he eats b-fast really well. I make him oatmeal and one scrambled egg every day, I sprinkle cheese on his eggs too. This way I know he is getting good protein. He also is thin, he only weighs 28 lbs.
I cook most of his food in whole milk, and butter anything I can (per pediatricians recommendation because of his low weight). He is very active and consumes very little. So I try to cram as much calories and fat in to his small amts. of food. I also don't give him juice, unless it is with lunch sometimes.
Relax, he will not waste away, you are doing a great job :)

Answer 3

my doctor said this is normal at this age. Your son sounds like a much better eater than my 18 month old daughter! the doctor said this is the mac & cheese stage, they like that texture of the carbs and like meats that are soft, but my kid will usually spit out meat. I've tried hotdogs and low fat bologna and sometimes she'll eat it but not much. I did discover she liked beans....all sorts of beans...so that is a way we get her some protein, that and peanut butter. She treats her food as toys often too, sometimes she'll let me get a few spoonfuls into her, and then she goes at it. She's getting better all the time though about that, so hang in there, your son is very normal!

Answer 4

You sound like you have started him on a great diet.My daughter had to add meat slowly for my grandson to start eating it.She started with little pieces of sliced turkey, then chicken tenders,then on to pieces of hamburger.She put the meat with the other foods.He may be a little young and not have enough teeth to chew the meats right now.As his activity increases his appetite will also.....

Answer 5

My son is the same age & weight. He also loves dipping his stuff..in ketchup, honey mustard etc. Try some sauces with the meats.

Honestly don't sweat it..sounds like he is getting plenty of nutrients without the meat.

Answer 6

i am 25 i helped raise all 3 of my sisters kids from babies and they were the same way they wouldn't eat anything good fore them but they will get over that in till then try filling foods like mash potatoes oatmeal rice stuff like that if it taste good he will eat it and not know its healthy fore him make things enteristing fore him at dinner time

Answer 7

I work at a daycare and we feed our kids things such as spaghetti and ravioli, and we always mix in fruits and vegies to go along with them.