Why wont my 2 yeard old eat?

Question

So,my 2 yeard old will not eat.He eats something everyday,but barely.He drinks fine,but refuses the majority of what we give him.He eats only pizza,corndogs,or chicken.We dont often have junk food for dinner,but our meals arent tofu and seaweed either.His energy is fine,he runs around like a madman all day,and his growth is right on target.The DR says to just let him eat how much and what he wants,not to force him,since hes growing fine and isnt lethargic.Just wondering if this is normal for him to live off juice and air.

Answer 1

Oh yeah, all three of my kids have gone through phases like this, but my doctor has assured me it is normal and to let them eat when they want to and not push them. They will not go hungry. Its just partially from growth spurts and declines, plus they have very small tummys so when they aren't hungry they aren't hungry...Pretty soon he will be eating non-stop and you will be asking why he won't stop!!

Answer 2

Hey, there's nothing wrong with tofu - my toddler loves tofu nuggets! All joking aside, I agree with your doctor. I'm sure by letting him eat whatever he wants, he doesn't mean junk food. Just make sure there are only healthy options in the house. Most hotdogs/corndogs are loaded with junk and additives that are bad for your son, but you can find all natural, healthy ones. Try things like grilled cheese (made with whole wheat and all natural/organic cheese - the processed singles are VERY unhealthy!) and hide some veggies like chopped spinach or broccoli inside. Different kinds of soups may also work; I think my son would eat rubber if I served it in soup! All natural pizza topped with lean meat and veggies is another good way to sneak in some health. Try mac and cheese, but not the boxed junk (unless you pick an organic brand like Annie's, your child will just be eating garbage). Homemade mac and cheese is very easy and cheap to make, and can be made using healthy ingredients. Hide some vegetables in it, like broccoli. My husband also puts corn in our son's mac and cheese - it looks gross, but he eats it!
You mentioned your son likes to drink things. You can try this really easy toddler smoothie recipe. Just put a cup of milk, 1/4 cup of peanut butter and a chopped and ripe banana (frozen is good, but you can also use unfrozen) in a blender until it's smooth. If the banana is ripe enough, you shouldn't have to add any extra sugar. You can add a small amount of honey though, which is OK every once in awhile and is better than sugar because honey aids calcium absorption. So in that one smoothie, he can get protein, fruit and calcium all in one, and toddler LOVE it! Then if you can get him to eat a piece of toast of a few whole wheat crackers, he has his basic food groups covered.
You're not the first parent to have a picky eater, so don't worry. As I'm sure you've heard, he'll eat when he's hungry. And if he doesn't have the option of eating junk food, he'll give in and choose something healthy. Good luck!

Answer 3

Don't ever say, "Oh, he doesn't like that," because kids that young don't know what they like or dislike until they here it from their parents. Those negative opinions are implanted into your kids head. If you make liver and onions for dinner, than make the little brat eat liver and onions for dinner. Don't get into the habit of letting your two year old boss you around by telling you to make whatever junk he wants. Trust me, if he is hungry he will eat, and if you think you have it bad, imagine if your kid ate too much and was fat. Would you rather that be the case, well that is exactly what is going to happen if you don't put your foot down and make him eat healthy food.

Answer 4

he wont eat because he doesn't yet know how to say "stop feeding me this crap and and start cooking some decent and wholesome food"

he will runaround like a madman because of the additives in the junk food you are shoving down his throat.
he is hyperactive.

he recognises that it will give him endless energy.so he will reject unknown food.

his growth will be on target,but he will soon enough start growing beyond his target and become obese.then you will see his problems become evident

tofu and seaweed is probably at the other extreme.
the happy medium is somewhere in between.

make sure his diet is varied.
in other words a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

what does he drink alright? is it sugary drinks?
better water and milk.

good luck

Answer 5

My son is the same way. One way we got him to eat more was he is allowed 1 juice or milk cup in between meals after that it is water so he is not filling up on juice as much. It is really his age though, it is very common for a 2 year old to not eat much and to just want to run around. It will pass soon!

Answer 6

Maybe not give him so much juice. All those liquids are filling him up . Maybe that's why he doesn't want to eat when it comes time to eat. My 2yr old son is the same way but let me tell you he eats all day long. He isn't over weight either is is actually a tad bit under. And has lots of engery. Sounds like he is picky like my daughter.

Answer 7

He's not living off of juice and air if he is eating pizza, corndogs, etc. As long as he is eating those things and is healthy according to his doctor and has energy and is growing don't worry about it.

Answer 8

If it were my child I would only offer very healthy things. No pizza, corndogs, or fried chicken. He would only get water and a minimal amount of milk. If he doesn't eat, fine, but don't give him anything else. He will eventually eat. If you keep giving him what he wants you are reinforcing bad eating habits.

Answer 9

Is he an inside only cat or an outside cat??? He may be catching enough rodents to make his own dinner. Cats are meat eaters and they do not thrive on veggies like a dog will.

They will actually suffer eye damage and vision loss without their meat. And you are the adult in the house, you are taller and you control the funds; so don't give your children junk to eat and when they get hungry they will eat what you offer.

Answer 10

Two words: terrible two's.

Your child will develop a mind of his own, and now that he has "come-into" what life has to offer, he'll take what he wants and will reject the rest.

Is it bad he wants only the good stuff? Yes and no. Yes, if he continues on this path he'll develop poor eating habbits. No, because he is active and does burn it off.

If you want him to eat more of the good stuff, I suggest mother nature's most laxed and passive remedy: immitation. If he sees you eating more of this certain food, he'll be more inclined to ask for it too just because mom/dad do it.