Fussy Eaters (merged)

Indie_Kid

Gefjun wrote: »

I always had the same option as a child - one meal, only choice I had was eat it or leave it. Never caused me any harm.

I've seen something on Supernanny where the child barely ate anything; Jo Frost told them to eat together and if the child didn't eat, it was made clear to her that the food would be on the table for 30 minutes afterwards, and then there was nothing else. No bribery with pudding or sweets, child started eating a range of foods once she realised that mum meant business and she wasn't going to get the normal ice cream 'as a way of getting something inside her'. That's just a reward for not eating dinner IMHO.

Good luck!

I saw that too. I think it's important that you don't make a big deal out of the child not eating / eating only certain foods.

sassy_one

Small meals (portions) over the day may help

Also, your GP may be able to offer some advice if all else fails.

Good luck

Plans_all_plans

I would also say that you made a mistake in the types of food you cooked for the child in the first place. My DD is nearly 4 and only in the last 6 months has she ever tasted sweets/chocs/chips/nuggets/frozen processed muck etc and she only really likes chips out of all the junk food she's tasted at kids parties.

I always operated on the principle that if she didnt eat what she was given and I suspected she was just being awkward (rather than being repulsed by the taste) then she got NOTHING else except water. I dont know why people pander so much to fussy eating. I honestly cant abide by it at all.

My advice to you is say "eat it or go hungry" and stick to it. They'll soon get the message. And yes, if they are getting fat you should be worried and should be taking steps to address it immediately.

Plasticman

We have two fussy eaters so know what it's like. We've slowly managed to get them to eat some food that they don't like but will eat (under protest!). So, some days food they like, some days food they don't like but will eat and some days food they don't eat. Spreads the pain out a bit for us and over time the "food they don't like" seems to get accepted a bit more!

Still can't get either of them to eat mashed potato though - it just sits on the plate untouched. Mine both eat fruit but trying to get them to eat veg is painful.

Neither of mine are overweight though. We cook the Slimming World 'chips' from time to time too and they both eat those. Good luck!

Savvy_Sue

Plasticman wrote: »

Still can't get either of them to eat mashed potato though - it just sits on the plate untouched.

Is it nicer either with gravy, or mashed up with tomato sauce to turn it pink? :rotfl:

JoJoB

Does he show any interest in what you eat? Sometimes this is the only way I can get DD to try something new, if I eat it in front of her without suggesting she try it, and wait for her to come investigating

When she was going through a fussy phase I did healthier versions of things I knew she would eat, such as chips made from sweet potato and butternut squash, done the slimming world way (known as orange chips in our house).

Does he like "dippy" food - my DD won't eat carrots unless she has some hummus to dip them in.

Do you get him involved in food preparation? DD loves to put things in a pan and stir, and doing this was the way I got her to first try risotto, which she had always previously refused. Even if I just give her some cheese to sprinkle on top of her dinner that is a way of getting her to eat something new. Making wraps is a good way of getting them involved too - get them to spread hummus/cheese over a wholemeal tortilla and then wrap it up and use a knife to cut into bite-sized segments (children enjoy cutting things up). Then eat one of the pieces yourself and see if he will follow suit.

ailuro2

You don't have much control over what he's eating because he's with his GPs most of the mealtimes.

Why not give him a packed lunch for granny's house, to practice for when he's a big boy and going to school;) Her's not to know you'll put him to school dinners and use peer pressure to get him to eat different foods, is he? (worked wonders on our DD)

Get him to choose his own lunchbox, then give him healthy food in it - some of what he likes, and some that he isn't so keen on.

If he's overweight then that's a simple case of eating too much and not running around enough. Again, the packed lunch will provide what he needs.

I do feel the need to point out that there is a world of difference between getting a bit of a belly before a growth spurt and not being able to run properly. Only you know which category your son falls in to.

dizzybuff

I also had a fussy eater .

He now goes to preschool and a childminders . He would eat nothing but chicken nuggets , sausages and smileys .

With the help of my childcare provider we have over come this

You can tackle it a number of ways , and i know its not easy , but rewarding your child with food they like will not get you anywhere.

It could be a texture thing. Some children will eat food that is easy .

We got over this by offering one meal , usually eaten with others ( my DS eats with 5 other children) He gets exactly what the others are having. The rule is you must try one spoon/forkfull . You will get nothing else . No desert unless they eat a substantial amount.

Its their food . Its also one thing they control .

One bite of veggies , has lead to my boy eating broccoli, cababge and spinich a whole portion.

He loves fish , not fingers etc , but proper fish that has been poached in milk . Braised beef in gravy and mash , Roast chicken. He loves yorkies.

Did you ever give him finger food ? He may just be still at that stage he likes to eat with his hands , make food fun , get him to help make it .

Children seeing where food is from is essential . Well thats my opinion , my ds knows fish are caught from the sea / river , he has a little rod he goes out with his daddy fishing .

There are a few ways to takle it , but hes at that age where food is power . He knows if he doesnt eat it he gets what he wants . Its hard , dont give in , he wont starve. Just say thats what everyone is having and dont make a fuss , leave it on the lable and then throw it / put it in the fridge for later .

When he asks for food , say you can have what you didnt eat earlier, nothing different , so he knows he will not get what he wants.

However , when finished he can have a healthy pudding , fromage frais , fruit etc .

If my DS eats all his t he gets the same , a well done and a star on his reward chart. He then gets to choose his reward after so many stars.

On to the texture thing , my DS wont touch egg . But he will eat eggy bread .

Soemm tectures are lovely when they are babies but they hate when they are older.

Each child is different , but a thing they all thrive on is power. If they donbt eat their food , mummy gives them what they want.

Stick with thats what they get end of , he will eat eventually , he wont not eat , its not in their instinct.

Hope you get through it , as I know how frustrating it is .

We are going out for a meal later so DS has asked for meat , :rotfl:that will consist of turkey breast strips in gravy with potatoes or rice with yorkshire pudding , depending on what his preference is and what ever veg I put in front of him. Sunday is the only day he has a say what he eats . He loves his roasts so we generally get what we want as well.

Good luk it can be a hard journey but dont give in.

nic2075

My ds went through a fussy phase and still doesn't like the texture of meat. I also make a lot of hidden veg sauces. I never buy fish fingers etc but make my own fish goujons and dd likes home made nuggets using cream crackers for the crumb ( I love these too).
They do get the odd plate of frozen Chips but I mostly make them healthy wedges we all love them.
If my ds decides he doesn't like something without trying, he gets to finish his milk but gets nothing else.
One of my kids favourite meals is tacos. I buy the taco trays rather than shells. With loads of bowls on the table with the topping. The kids love being able to choose what goes on each taco. My ds even manages a tiny bit of mince.

I would let the granparents know that things have to change and come up with a few healthy meals that you both agree on.
For healthy lunches I make-
Wraps with banana and whole earth peanut butter. These are also nice popped on the George forman to toast them a bit.

Beans on toast- actually very healthy. Givese energy and filling.

Boiled egg and soldiers

Poached egg on toast

Bits and bobs- a selection of what ever finger foods I have eg grapes.breadsticks, cheese cubes, ham, hummous etc.

Baked potato with tuna and beans.

Hope some of that helps

Benson

Sorry for not replying sooner I've only just been able to get on!
I've always taken him shopping getting him to help and choose which veggies etc, i get him to help
In the kitchen, he loves baking ( just not the eating)
He used to go to a preschool where he could take a packed lunch but for 6 months he wouldn't eat most, just breadsticks, fruit and yoghurt, no sandwiches etc
He doesn't like wet food, ie sauces, if I put tomato sauce on his plate he would get upset!
I've tried being strict with him and leaving the food for 30 mins but he doesn't care! He'll just starve it out for his bedtime milk (which I don't really want to drop as at least he's getting some vitamins and iron - using toddler milk for this very reason)
I'll just have to stick it out and give GPs a list everyweek of lunches and tea as I think they've got Stuck
In a rut and disheartened throwing so much food away!

I'll print out a few of your replies and stick
It on the fridge and hopefully it will inspire me to be even stricter