My two-year-old boy doesn't like most of what I give him to eat, but drinks a lot. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

sounds like he is filling up on fluids so then doesnt need any food to fill him up.
as long as he is having enough fluids to produce wet nappies / he is urinating - there should be no reason why you cant cut his fluids down - about a pint of fluid throughout the day is a good amount. (I used to do a jug of juice that was a pint - as my son went through the same thing- filling up on milk in morning and evening before bed - and that kept him hydrated and I knew how much he'd had)
Offer a range of foods for dinner - i.e. alot of the time my son has a plate with a few pieces of b + b with some cheese cubes, a few crisps, apple, grapes and ham slices and he does whatever he wants - often he'll make himself a sandwich with the cheese or ham.
Just perservere - children are fussy eaters alot of the time, dont force him, just encourage and eat with him to be a good role model

Answer 2

I had a hard time figuring out how to limit drinks with my little guy too. He's the youngest of 3, and my 7 yo daughter would fill his sippy every time she filled hers...ended up that he was drinking 3-4 full sippys a day! After finally convincing my little "mother hen" to ignore him crying for more "juicy" I "tricked" him into thinking he was getting tons to drink...I bought the small 4 oz sippy cups and filled them halfway or less. He got juice at least 8 times a day, but was only drinking about 6oz total for the day. Not only did his appetite return, but I noticed he had more "real" energy and stamina, not the same as the energy he was garnering off the fructose (fruit sugar) that most juices have in them. Hope this helps! Good luck.

Answer 3

I agree not to give too many fluids, especially milk because it will fill their bellies up. Also, I personally stick to two full sippys of juice a day max.. after that if he is really thirsty he should drink water.
In general, if your toddler is growing well and otherwise healthy, continue to provide him with a wide variety of healthy choices. Things like bread, fruits, veggies are better than chips, microwave meals and fast food.
Studies actually show that when given access to a wide variety of healthy food choices, in the short term many babies and toddlers seemed to have very strange eating habits. This often alarms parents, but no worries.. Over a course of months, these children actually had splendid diets, despite toast for a week or what seemed like "not enough".
You should be secure knowing that your toddler will be okay with only one tablespoon of food, per meal, for every year of age. They will not starve, and eventually their appetite will pick up again. If his food choices are healthy, then I would let him have a bit more control over his menu, within reason of course.

Answer 4

This is the age where your little one is expressing his independence, so do not fear. The amazing thing is that when they are hungry, they will eat. 2 year olds tend to be very picky eaters, so don't be too discouraged. But always introduce him to new foods as much as you can, and repeat introducing the same food to him on a regular basis until he comes around. Believe or not most children will eat foods that he would die touching at home if he sees another kid eating it somewhere Else, like at daycare or a home-care facility. But as long as he drinking and getting some type of sustenance, don't worry. You're doing fine! Good luck! This too shall pass!!

Answer 5

I keep apple sliced like "cookies" available to my two year old as well as yogurt and cheerios so she can eat on the go.

At this age they hate having to take time out to sit and eat so anything that's portable and pickable is perfect. They wind up eating so much this way, you'll be surprized. My daughter "grazes" alll day, the only actual meal she'll sit for is breakfast.... she LOVES oatmeal. But slices of banana, or bites of orange dissapear if I leave them on the coffee table while she's playing with her toys.

We have a book that uses Cheerios to fill in the missing pieces of things and she eats them after she plays with each one... sometimes we use raisins or olives... it's interactive eating.

Also alot of kids aren't big on cooked veggies, but they love raw fresh ones.... my three devour a veggie platter in minutes because it's fun to dip things and eat them. But don't stick with dressing all the time, melted cheese and even mild salsa makes great dip too.

Basicly, keep water available at all times, but hold off on the milk or juice until he's eaten something healthy. Then give him one serving and hold off until after he's eaten something else good. That way the food will be satisfying him, not the drinks and he'll associate food wil the feeling of fullness instead of thinking all he needs is juice.

Small amounts of a variety of portable foods at many many times each day... that is the key with two year olds.

Answer 6

My daughter is 2 1/2 and won't eat any meat besides hotdogs and bologna. My doctor says that as long as she isn't losing weight and still gets veggies and stuff it's ok and that alot of kids don't eat what we want them too especially meats. Just limit the fluids I think they say no more then 36 oz. in a day (limiting fluids also helps with potty training) and just give them mostly what they like to eat (not junk food) and every now and then give them something new to try and as long as you don't make it seem like you are forceing him he probably will try it.

Answer 7

when my 2 year old does this i had to cut down on how much he was drinking because juice milk water all that fills them up and they dont want to eat. Also they get very picky and sometimes you just have to keep offering the foods. He will eat when he is ready. Also have you talked to the doctor make sure nothing physical is going on

Answer 8

my daughter use to drink loads of fluids and never use to eat a lot, but i found when i cut back on her fluids she started eating more as drinking a lot can fill you up. you havent said what you try giving him but if your worring hes not getting his vitamins theres a new vitamin medicine out called abidec which is a multivitamin syrup and omega 3 for children aged 1-5. also homecooked food rather than processed food went down a lot better for my daughter and making the food more interesting by letting them help you cook it and present the food better,(ie make it look like a face) may help

Answer 9

Cut down on what he’s drinking or offer only water. Children can fill up pretty easy on milk.

If he’s hungry he’ll eat. Children have different appetites at different times.

Mine will go from “haven’t eaten in a week” appetite to “don’t care if I ever eat again” appetite from one day to the next.

Just cut down on the fluids and keep offering him food.

Answer 10

When my kids would get too picky with their food I would make up a plate with a little bit of everything on it. Usually some cheese, deli meat, a fruit, a cracker, pickles or olives or anything you have available and give it to them. They would pick and choose what they wanted and most times ate most of it. Cut back on the drinks or water them down so there isn't as much substance to them and he will be hungrier.