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MarilynW
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| Posted: Feb 12 2009 at 8:37am | IP Logged
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My 18m old has overnight become a picky eater. I have always just cooked one family meal for everyone - but I am wondering now how to feed him. When I do pasta - I just leave some plain pasta that he eat. I hate to admit it - but I have bought frozen pancakes from TJs that I give him when desperate. Also keep premade sweet potato fries and meatballs. He will eat all fruit and yogurt. But generally I struggle with ideas. Breakfast is usually fine - he eats oatmeal, pancakes, cereal etc. It is the other two meals. I just don't know how to make sure he gets enough protein and a balanced diet.
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Maryan
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| Posted: Feb 12 2009 at 10:34am | IP Logged
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 Waiting to hear responses to your question...
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Martha
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| Posted: Feb 12 2009 at 11:01am | IP Logged
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unless he has a health problem, I'd just make what I make and he can eat it or not. But I would strongly encourage taking at least one bite of what is on the plate (because tastes change, esp at that age) and finishing his milk. (we always give milk at meals)
as long as he isn't this way at every meal, then I wouldn't worry.
I might also add a very small healthy before bed snack just to be sure he doesn't go to bed hungry. something that if he's hungry he'll eat, but not something that he'll be happy to miss dinner knowing he'll have that snack later, kwim? 1 slice of toast with peanutbutter. a handful of baby carrots and ranch. some cheese and crackers...
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teachingmyown
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He is so little, I would just try to add something he likes to the dinner, without making a big deal of it. Serve him the regular meal, but give him the sweet potatoes or meatballs, too, or even a waffle. Encourage him to try everything, but don't make it an issue at all. My babies tend to snack throughout the day on (hopefully) healthy things like fruit and cheese.
My older kids (five and up) get a PBJ if they don't like dinner. I know what everyone likes and really try to stick to the most popular items, but it doesn't always work for everyone. What I do not allow is fixing of separate meals. Cleaning up dinner is enough of a hassle without extra pots and pans.
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KC in TX
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| Posted: Feb 12 2009 at 3:40pm | IP Logged
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My son will often not like what's for dinner. So, I try to have rice on hand since he'll eat that. It doesn't have much nutritional value but will fill his tummy. I try to balance out his nutritious foods more during the day.
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MarilynW
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| Posted: Feb 12 2009 at 6:33pm | IP Logged
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My guy does not touch milk - not since the day he stopped nursing - I have tried and tried. But he does do yogurt and some cheese. He loves rice too - plain! He has shown some allergic reactions - so I cannot give him egg or nuts.
For every meal - he gets a bowl with whatever we are having plus something I know he will eat (eg plain rice)
I do not believe in forcing or making an issue. I do get him to snack as much as possible as he is not very big.
I wonder too - my dd used to be picky - and it ended up that she was very allergic to most of the things she refused to eat.
Thanks for the ideas
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JodieLyn
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I know a family that puts bread and the jar of peanut butter on the table, if you don't like the other things, that's your alternative. I think she told me that it was getting to be too much to have everyone getting this and that because they could and the meal wasn't a "favorite". So while the pb on bread isn't that appealing it's something she knows they all will eat and so there's no excuse.. you eat what's served or you eat pb and bread.
You'd have to do something other than peanut butter with nut allergies.. but maybe something like that.. that won't be exciting or "special" but just something that's there that anyone can have but it isn't highly desired either.
My problem with the snack later or bread on the table is... my kids would eat plain bread and enjoy it and choose it over the meal.. and forget being able to offer any cheese.. that's another favorite and the cheese would disappear faster than we could afford to buy it.. and I need it for other meals too.
Just no real good option.. but I do cater more to the younger ones.
And yes I do have kids that will skip a meal they don't like and then pig out on the next meal that's something they do like.
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MarilynW
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| Posted: Feb 12 2009 at 7:31pm | IP Logged
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I agree Jodie - we use Oatios as the alternative for older kids (but none of them are fussy really) -but I worry as my little guy is so skinny.
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Marilyn
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Picky eater and family meals
