Fussy Eaters (merged)

onlyroz

My boy is a bit of a fussy eater at times, but we try not to pander to him. It annoys me when he leaves his dinner and then immediately asks for ice cream. Needless to say, he doesn't get any unless he's made a decent attempt at his dinner.

He's a funny boy in that he loves sauces and pickles - he'd happily scoff the bottle of HP or the jar of branston, but leave his quiche and chips. So he gets told sorry, only one gherkin until he's eaten at least half the quiche.

But yes, I agree, if he was really hungry then he'd eat - and he's not going to starve if he misses the odd meal.

PasturesNew

bestpud wrote: »

...the buckle after a day or so...

Looked like sound advice until I spotted it's a typo.

faithcecilia

I'm a little eater - not fussy, just not all that interested in eating! I would say go for smaller portions, I still get a bit overwhelmed by an overloaded plate and simply can't manage it - I eat far more if I start with less.

clare1076

thank you all for your really helpful advice. it was mash, sausage and spaghetti hoops tonight and they both just ate there hoops and my ds ate a couple of pieces of sausage. they have both gone to bed without any snacks. you right i do feel awful and anxious that they'll be hungry and i've got to change my mindset on that one.

i will start giving smaller portions as this may be one of the problems. My dd will eat youhurts and fruit but my son is the really fussy eater i can't get him to eat any vegetables at all i have tried but he just doesn't like it, he does enjoy fruits though but won't eat anything milky or drink milk. I struggle with foods with him, when he does eat it seems to be the same thing all the time.

My daughter does drink a lot of juice so i'll rain this in as this may be supressing her appetite.

Again thank you all for your help, i just need to stop thinking there going to starve and that i'm a bad mummy.

Clare

JBD

Would like to add, some people apparently are natural 'grazers' ie they prefer to eat very small amounts at more frequent times. This is what their bodies need, rather than larger meals 3 times a day. Perhaps your children come into this category which can be inconvenient when you are trying to feed a family.

Fire_Fox

Jamie Oliver successfully blended all sorts of vegetables into tomato sauce, don't forget baked beans count, all sorts of vegetables (carrot, sweet potato, parsnip, cauliflower) can be hidden in mashed potato. Then there is homemade vegetable soup, or bolognese sauce 'Old Style' padded with red lentils and grated carrot - cooked for long enough even my ex (a chef) didn't notice!!

PurpleJay

If you have problems with veg, can you 'hide' it in pasta sauce, casseroles, soups?

Will they be more inclined to help if you talk about the food as you buy it and prepare it?

Good luck.

Lunar_Eclipse

Marcheline wrote: »

I divide the plate up and say she has to eat the amount I've put to one side or she can't get down from the table. She then eats it, cos she knows she won't get to play otherwise.

My Mum used to force me to eat like this and because of that, I would never do it with my own children. It could give them food issues and/or make them overweight. They had little money so I think they couldn't bare to waste food.

Support all the advice about not fussing, but eliminating snacks.

minerva_windsong

If it's a nutrients thing then it might be worth getting some chewy kids' multivitamins - they come in various fruity flavours and look like sweets.

Otherwise, I agree with smaller portions and no snacks.

bestpud

PasturesNew wrote: »

Looked like sound advice until I spotted it's a typo.

LOL, trust me - thanks for pointing that out!

I've edited it now!

OP, I really don't think you should belt your child!