How do you get a 6yr old to eat good food?

Question

My 6yr old grandson will only eat hot dogs, p&j sandwichs chips cookies pep-pizza & most sweets but nothing else. If I try anything else he will barf at it. Now tell me what kid will not eat mac & cheese, not this one. Help!!!! I'm at wits end.

Answer 1

I'm so sorry for you gramps because your son and daughter have spoiled this kid rotten- like in rotten teeth and on his way to obesity! The barfing is a control issue that he is using on YOU to give him what he wants--- play hardball--- he will NOT STARVE to death in one day so for one day, give him only the foods that you are eating- say cheerios with milk and banana for breakfast and juice- lunch can be a nice 1/2 grilled cheese sandwich with some cut up fresh fruit- supper should be giving him the sweet veggies- like corn on the cob- which is fun to eat, and maybe glazed carrots with mashed potatoes and some turkey or chicken nuggets- not the greatest but definitely a step up from what he's been living on--- make sure that you ALL EAT THE SAME FOOD--- the problem is giving them separate foods from the rest-- it gives them carte blanche to order whatever they want off the neverending guilt menu that their parents have given into over the last 6 years..... and top it off with some good old fashioned ice cream at the ice cream parlor if he does well all day- remember- there stomachs are small so 1/4 cup of cereal for breakfast is sufficienct, 1/4 of a 1/2 of grilled cheese is good, let the snacks be the fruits and supper could be the corn on the cob and even if he eats 2-3 tsp of mashed potatoes with the turkey and gravy will be fine---if he gets hungry before bed-- cereal and only cereal ......and if he doesn't eat for you--- he eats nothing--- that's right NOTHING--- he will not starve, but he will get the point, and by the way, he has no TV, computer and whatever else he is into during the day if he doesnt comply to the eating rules---it's food bootcamp and taking away their tv and toys is the best way to get them to at least try new foods- and god bless their parents- between working and all, they barely have a chance to throw a meal together so lets face it, most of the times it is easier for them to make a hot dog or get pizza to feed their children-- so it isn't all the child's fault but your childs as well.......good luck to you.... and no they won't hate you... and dont fall for that gimmick.....they will come around and make sure you let their parents know of your plans regarding the food change-- they may want to continue your quest when they get the child at home--- just like any therapy, it has to be followed through for more than once and one day.............good luck to you grandma/grandpa------dont give in-----and they will STILL LOVE YOU--- ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE 15 AND 16 AND NOT FAT!!

Answer 2

Mac and cheese isn't "good food"...it is full of fat and cholesterol But if you want a child to eat healthy you have to offer healthy foods rather than the garbage. Don't purchase the hot dogs and the peanubutter and jelly...don't get the chips, cookies or pizza. Stop buying the sweets. If it's not available and not offered he can't eat it...if he refuses let him, and offer nothing else as an alternative or a snack later. When he gets hungry enough he WILL eat what is put in front of him.

Answer 3

Welcome to the world of picky eaters. I have a six year old that was very much the same way. Some children have a high sense of taste, and those foods that we think are bland, have a very strong flavor to a child, such a Brocolli, and spinach.

This is what I was told and it worked like a charm. You put both something on his plate that he likes and then put the things on his plate that he dislikes. Put the disliked food in a very small portion. He may take a bite of what he does like after he has had a bite of what he does not like. For a while just do very small, like not even half a serving, then gradually increase. Just like with a baby introduce one new food at a time. Any kicking and screaming needs a timeout, and then when time out is overwith, then he needs to go back and finish his food. This is not going to happen over night. If done properly it will actually take several months to acheive the desired goal, which is to eat pretty much anything you ask him to eat. You need only to work your way up to a serving spoon size and I don't mean the huge ones like you see in cafaterias, that is a serving size for an adult, I mean the tablespoons that are in your drawer, that is more the serving size for a child.

What will happen is eventually he will develope a taste for these things, it just takes time. And if you are having a hard time getting him to just take one bite in the beginning, just do one bite, reward him, and waite till another meal to work more on it. This will be very hard on you and him both. Oh, and if it proves to be a battle for a while, make sure you feed him before you eat, that way you can enjoy your meal, it is ok that everyone does not eat at the same time until you get this issue resolved. We do not need to be stressed when we are eating it is not good for us. When he is eating good then you can have him eating meals with you.

I do want you to know that it took me a year to get my son eating properly, but he now eats everything in site. My son is Autistic, but this will work with any child that has a high sense of taste, you may see results faster being you grandson is not Autistic.

Good luck and I hope it works for you.

Answer 4

I stopped buying ALL junk food. Completely. My kids had no choice. If it is not there, they can't eat it. Hot dogs are full of nitrites which cause cancer. Try, after getting rid of all junk food, to make his favorites healthier. Make home made pizza with a whole grain crust, tomato puree sauce (don't use low fat cheese, it's gross). Buy veggie dogs (not tofu dogs). MAke sure you get skippy natural peanut butter thats made without hydrogenated oil. You can get lower sugar jam (but make absolutely sure it has no artificial sweeteners). If he eats well all week let him have one sugary treat of his choice on the weekend. This will get him programmed to think of sugar as an occasional treat. The less of it you eat, the less you crave it. Depending on how mature he is, sit him down and let him know that the junk food is really bad for his body and that eating it may lead to diabetes and heart disease. Tell him if he gets diabetes he'll have to get a shot every day. Good luck. I transformed my kids eating habits this way and they were the three pickiest, no-good-food eaters. It wasn't easy I am a softy. Also don't be afraid to let him be hungry. Give him a couple of healthy choices and he can choose to eat or not that way he can't whine you in to giving him something junky.

Answer 5

Ok, Well first you or whoever he lives with should set a good example, eay nutritous healthy foods. Also is there a particualr celebrity he likes or maybe superhero? Then find an article about that celeb ( if you can), about their fav foods or the importance of eating healthy. If its a superhero tell him he cant be teh next Superman without eating his veggies! Also buy a book or go to the library & find fun kiddie recipes ( Healthy ones). If its fun or cool looking he may be more likely to eat it, and theres also those kid recipes that teh kids actually can make themselves, that may give him a feeling of accomplishment & he may want to eat it. Also see if he can help you cook dinner (healthy dinner). If thses all fail then throw outa alll the junk food (or put it soemwhere where he cant find it), or give it away.Then he will have no choice but to eat healthy foods. Also , say he likes Sponge Bob, then get him those little kid sets with like the plate fork & silverware & tell him he can only eat healthy foods on his special plate. & praise him when he tries a new HEALTHY food, its ok if he doesnt like it, just go to another Healthy food. Good Luck!!! :)

Answer 6

Selection is the key. I'm sure you have your own likes and dislikes as far as vegetables are concerned. Take your grandson shopping with you and let him choose which vegetables to buy. Just make sure that he gets a few different colours.

My 6 year old daughter would not touch peas and this often translated to a boycott of the family meal. So one night we had a vegie night where I put a selection of vegetables on her plate and was amazed at what she liked. We also discussed how she liked them cooked. Then as a family we made some changes in the kitchen and she is a much better eater. It saves on many arguments when you allow kids to help in the decision making.

Answer 7

Feed him what you feel is good for him. Obesity in children is rampant, and it's up to the adults in his life to give him the best start in life possible. Offer him only quality nutritious food, and if he refuses to eat it, fine. He will not starve. He'll get hungry enough eventually. My daughter's pediatrician gave me that advice, and it took a while, but it did work! Hot dogs, chips and cookies are not nutritious and if that's all he's eating, I'm surprised he doesn't have dental problems too!

Answer 8

Mine will not eat mac and cheese either. he's a very picky kid. realistically, there is only one option: cook dinner, and if he eats, then he eats, if not, then he doesn't. Don't give him the hot dogs, chips, cookies, etc. Only have fruit and healthy foods on hand. It's gonna be tough, but if you teach the kid that healthy food can taste good, too, the he will always remember it.... but, grandma, it's impossible to control what mom and dad give him.

Answer 9

Does he only vomit certain foods or any food other than those. If it only is certain foods you may want to consider that he could have a food allergy. Also ask your peditrician about it, a six year could probably make themselves vomit but it seems unlikely, he could have some other sort of problem

If there isn't something wrong then just don't buy unhealthy foods, if they're hungry they'll eat what's avalible. Try to find kid friendly healthy foods.

Answer 10

The change has to begin with his parents - they've just got to stop feeding him junk food! Once they switch to good/healthy food then you'll have an easier time feeding him.
If the parents refuse to switch - just do your best. If he continues to barf at what you provide for him then tell him 'that's all I have - eat it or starve!' He will eat when he gets hungry.
The parents need to step up to the plate and behave like good parents and stop the terrible junk food habits.