I have a 2 yr and 3 yr old. And they are both picky eaters. I've tried to add variety into their diets and follow the food pyramid but they snuff and say they don't want it. I've tried doing the whole, take food away and place it back at the table, but I think they'd rather starve. I've had to stick with PB and J, mac & cheese, grilled cheese, yogurts, and every now and then a pasta dish. I feel that they are not get the adaquate nutrition that they need. I've been giving them a daily vitamin and a fruit and veggie vitamin (supposed to be comparable to 2 servings of fruits and veggies a day). My doctor told me that my 2 year old has low iron. I'm very concerned that they may be malnurished but I just can't seem to get them to eat. Does anyone have any ideas?
Oh yeah, the 3 year old is a big influence to his sister, I feel that if I can get him to eat the 2yr old will follow suit.
2007-12-28 03:17:13 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
You can try making fun food like ants on a log(celery with pb and raisins) or getting cool recipes to make with your kids. They may be more excited to try new things if they make it themselves. If all else fails the most important thing is that they eat. Yogurt is a great source of calcium, pb is good protein etc. As far as the iron goes if your really concerned maybe the Dr can prescribe an iron supplement. You can try these web sites for fun kid recipes. www.familyfun.go.com or www.kidshealth.org Good Luck
2007-12-28 03:25:27 · answer #1 · answered by abbysangel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its trial and error with kids really. one week they may like something and the next week they may not. my 2 year old is very fussy and only picks at her food. being as you have a 3 year old who understand alot more than the 2 yr old why dont you all sit at the table, turn the tv off, and eat your dinner and talk to your kids and tell them to eat their dinner and if they do they will get afters. (sweets or whatever). if they do not eat it then leave them at the table and if they are still adament they dont want it then they get no sweets. or another approach could be a sticker chart. make up the categories - meat, veg etc. then every time they eat one of those cats at dinner they get a sticker. or give them a few dinner choices to let them chose what they want for dinner but it has to be one of the ones thats written down. and im sure if your 3 year old starts eating your 2yr old will follow suit. same as if they see you eat something they will copy and want to try it.
2007-12-28 11:31:27 · answer #2 · answered by Natz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 3 yr old is the same way. We went from just hot dogs, to PB and J, to sandwich with "just jelly" to mac and cheese.... its a never ending battle with picky kids. and its even tougher with those who prefer sweets (such as my daughter) she would eat chocolate, cake and cookies all day if i let her. So I sympathize with you greatly. Now she has decided Yogurt is her new favorite so YEAH!!! atleast she's starting to choose healthy on her own.
All you can really do is try to direct them into healthy choices and if they insist on sweet treats, limit them. You are doing the right thing by giving them vitamins! If your older child is a big influence that will help. Make things fun! Google some fun easy recipies to make WITH your children and maybe then they will eat it. It's worth a try!! Good Luck!!!
2007-12-28 11:30:31 · answer #3 · answered by buterfly_anjil 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make meals fun. I found if the kids helped to make things they were more willing to eat them. Also we did funny things with vegetables and fruits so that they would enjoy eating the silly looking people. Also kids like to dip things so make some dips for fruit or veggies or meats. My 2 year old will eat anything as long as she can dip it in ranch dressing and my 3 year old loves string beans dipped in catsup. We cut sandwiches out in shapes with cookie cutters and have actually put food coloring in mashed potatos. Eating well means dessert at our house which is individual cups of fruit in jello, pudding, yougurt etc. We dont have any snacks other than fruit, string cheese, crackers with spread on them and sometimes pretzels which they like with cheese spread. Just dont make eating stressful and they will eventually come around.
2007-12-28 11:31:34 · answer #4 · answered by Diane M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just cook healthy meals, sometimes we can put too much emphasis on eating, such as doing the take food away and give it back. Dont try to make or even encourage them to eat. Just give them healthy choices and yeah-let them choose sometimes. cheese or yogurt? apple or banana? other than that, just take the emphasis off it a little because it can become a power struggle and they will not eat to prove they can.
You can give them one serving of carnation instant breakfast or pediasure (more $) daily along with the daily vitamin. the V8 fusion juice is good, too. also try fruit and yogurt smoothies. (yogurt, frozen fruits, juices etc-in the blender)
good luck
2007-12-28 14:54:01 · answer #5 · answered by Emily 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My kids are the Same Way! And they don't drink water! All they want is chocolate milk! You have to take their cups or bottles away until they eat and no snacks in between either. It will take a week or so but once they get it, they will eat and not drink their calories. You can't give in, it's frustrating but stick with it and they will eat what's given to them when they get hungry enough. They're not going to starve. They will push your buttons and play you until they get their cuppies or some other food. Just be strong and it will work!
2007-12-28 11:28:19 · answer #6 · answered by butterflyprincess 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter is almost 3 and she'll eat anything as long as she can dip it. She'll eat fruit with no problem and loves watermelon and used to call grapes little balls. She has even picked fruit over french fries. For veggies, she likes to dip them in ranch. She calls broccoli "little trees." My mom and I will set out a veggie tray and start eating it and my daughter wants to do what we're doing so she'll eat everything we grab at and dip in the ranch. Don't give up and come up with fun ways to decorate their plates with fruits and veggies and keep putting the healthy stuff on the plate at every meal even if they don't eat it every time.
2007-12-28 11:30:33 · answer #7 · answered by Precious 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
will they eat what you eat? i know my kids almost always will want what is on my plate to what is on theirs.. so i got slick about it.. and every time i made anything for any meal they would ask if they can have some of mine... SO with them not knowing i would serve the plate(s) like it was for me instead of them lol and give it to them.. and they would eat what ever it was.... and kids will not let themselves starve.. they will eat eventually even its a nibble here and there.... since your 2 yr old has low iron.. try amping up on fortified things such as orange juices and etc... try making eating fun... finger foods aren't a bad idea..
2007-12-28 11:34:23 · answer #8 · answered by kptad2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 2 yr old is the same way too....
Now with the food you mentioned that your toddler likes.... here's what you can do
Mac & cheese: add broccoli in it or ham cubes
Grilled Cheese: add deli slice ham
Yogurts: put in frozen grapes, strawberries or blueberries
Hope that helps!
2007-12-28 11:26:53 · answer #9 · answered by sxysalsa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stick to your guns on this matter. Give them good healthy food. When they get hungry, they will eat. Trust me, I've been down that road.
Good luck.
2007-12-28 11:25:17 · answer #10 · answered by maddojo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋