Food Shopping For 22 month old

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Is she drinking alot? Could she be filling herself up that way?

Sorry i wasn't trying to be judgemental if it came accross that way - really trying to help you as i know it can be frustrating.

One of my good mates daughter used to be the same, but one day she just started eating and has never looked back, no-one knows what made her change her mind and eat.

Honestly if she is active and can run around and play for ages then she clearly is getting what she needs, from where who knows it;s a mystery but you don't need to be too worried unless her energy drops or she starts getting lethargic throughout the day.

I'd try and slowly change things though - any big change and she'll notice, i mean if she is eager to be at the table then thats a good start, you don't want to break that. Also don't make a fuss if she does eat - try to do and say nothing and see what happens.

Deffinately try and get her involved in the making food though - even if you have to start by making something unhealthy like Barbie cakes (Greens are the box brand) and then move on to healthier stuff once she gets an interest for making and cooking food.

Another one kids love to do is make jelly - it's soooo simple and cheap and if they don't eat it after it's not such a big deal.

My daughter (nearly 4) even likes to 'make her own' sandwiches now - i put the butter on a butter knife and she'll do her best to spread it and then put whatever she wants in, then i ask her if she wants triangles or squares and if she wants the crusts (giving her alot of choice) and then cut it as she wants. If i took those options away from her there is a big chance she'll barely touch it.

Like the other poster said, I'm not a fan of the 'sit there till you've finished' approach either. I used to have that done to me so meal times became a chore almost and i never looked forward to dinner.

I'll keep popping back though to see how your getting on - hopefully you'll find something that works, even if it's just a tiny bit

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Let her get messy too if she's helping cooking, that can be the fun bit when they are very young - try not to be too bothered by the mess untill its done and let her try bits along the way

angelicmary85

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle wrote: »

Is she drinking alot? Could she be filling herself up that way?

Her cups get filled up in the morning and that does her most of the day. She had alot to drink at bedtime though, could that be a problem?

Sorry i wasn't trying to be judgemental if it came accross that way - really trying to help you as i know it can be frustrating.

No I didn't think that at all, I'm open to any help I can get!!

One of my good mates daughter used to be the same, but one day she just started eating and has never looked back, no-one knows what made her change her mind and eat.

Honestly if she is active and can run around and play for ages then she clearly is getting what she needs, from where who knows it;s a mystery but you don't need to be too worried unless her energy drops or she starts getting lethargic throughout the day.

I'd try and slowly change things though - any big change and she'll notice, i mean if she is eager to be at the table then thats a good start, you don't want to break that. Also don't make a fuss if she does eat - try to do and say nothing and see what happens.

I've tried to trick her before by mushing up veg and adding them to her mashed tattie (when she did eat tattie, she won't anymore) but she noticed straight away...little madam!!

Deffinately try and get her involved in the making food though - even if you have to start by making something unhealthy like Barbie cakes (Greens are the box brand) and then move on to healthier stuff once she gets an interest for making and cooking food.

Our oven doesn't work We've been trying to save for a new cooker but we don't have enough yet. Do you think maybe orgnising a slow cooker rice pudding or something would have the same effect?

Another one kids love to do is make jelly - it's soooo simple and cheap and if they don't eat it after it's not such a big deal.

My daughter (nearly 4) even likes to 'make her own' sandwiches now - i put the butter on a butter knife and she'll do her best to spread it and then put whatever she wants in, then i ask her if she wants triangles or squares and if she wants the crusts (giving her alot of choice) and then cut it as she wants. If i took those options away from her there is a big chance she'll barely touch it.

I think I'll have to start giving her more choice but when I do suggest something, she just says no.

Like the other poster said, I'm not a fan of the 'sit there till you've finished' approach either. I used to have that done to me so meal times became a chore almost and i never looked forward to dinner.

I'll keep popping back though to see how your getting on - hopefully you'll find something that works, even if it's just a tiny bit

Thanks for all your advice, I've taken it on board and we'll see how we get on!

skintchick

74jax wrote: »

My daughter has always eaten whatever i'm eating, just mashed down.

Same here, minus the mashing. Like others, we are doing Baby Led Weaning and it's great! She eats loads, and will try anything (although it takes four or five times before she'll trust it enough to eat it, usually).

Good on you OP though for wanting to start cooking from scratch.

meritaten

angelicmary85 wrote: »

I've been cooking seperate meals for my DD for almost 2years. It was either give her what she would eat or she'd starve.

Even when we were weaning her she wouldn't eat. I've been exhusted countless times trying to get her to eat a slice of carrot or a bit of apple. All she ate for about 3 months was dairylea triangles. I took her to the doctor to see if there was anything wrong with her but she's as healthy as they come...she just doesn't eat. She won't eat cheese, bread, ham, egg, plain chicken, any fruit or veg, mince, tatties (not even mashed with butter) pasta, rice, beef...would you like me to to go on?! We don't give her sweets (although I did bride her into using the toilet using a ice lolly!!) and she won't drink milk

It's very easy to say that children should eat what their parents are eating but it's not always possible...and it's really frustrating for the parents who can't get their kids to eat, it's worrying and it's exhusting.

I tried starving her but she wasn't bothered,...if you (or anyone else!) can suggest any ideas to get her to eat then I'd be willing to listen!!

We sit down together to eat but she just plays with food, if I take away she'll sit until it's time to leave the table....We've learned not to force the issue but instead to throw plate after plate of food in the bin.

angelicmary - my son was in hospital one time and the little girl in the next bed sounded just like yours. at first the docs thought the parents were to blame, then the staff noticed that whatever was put in front of her - she refused to eat. over the next week that child ate next to nothing - while my son wolfed down everything he could! I remember that the medical staff decided it was a non medical problem and the psychiatrist was brought in. I do know a diagnosis was made but for the life of me cant remember it. my son was discharged a couple of days later and I remember him saying excitedly that she ate a slice of pizza!
a bit long winded - but I think you should be getting help. this child was malnourished and the parents at first were blamed for this until the hospital staff realised the child WOULDNT eat.

Katgoddess

angelicmary85 wrote: »

Thanks for all your advice, I've taken it on board and we'll see how we get on!

You can make cake in the microwave, although they taste more like steamed pudding. Have a google for 5 min chocolate mug cake. Also what about pancakes or dropped scones? Rice Krispie cakes? :j

pebbles88

re: letting them make their own sandwiches... this is a cute little gadget from lakeland, its only £1.99 too.... may tempt them

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/dino-cutter/F/keyword/dinosaur+cutter/product/12908

mrsw1983

angelicmary85 wrote: »

I've been cooking seperate meals for my DD for almost 2years. It was either give her what she would eat or she'd starve.

Even when we were weaning her she wouldn't eat. I've been exhusted countless times trying to get her to eat a slice of carrot or a bit of apple. All she ate for about 3 months was dairylea triangles. I took her to the doctor to see if there was anything wrong with her but she's as healthy as they come...she just doesn't eat. She won't eat cheese, bread, ham, egg, plain chicken, any fruit or veg, mince, tatties (not even mashed with butter) pasta, rice, beef...would you like me to to go on?! We don't give her sweets (although I did bride her into using the toilet using a ice lolly!!) and she won't drink milk

It's very easy to say that children should eat what their parents are eating but it's not always possible...and it's really frustrating for the parents who can't get their kids to eat, it's worrying and it's exhusting.

I tried starving her but she wasn't bothered,...if you (or anyone else!) can suggest any ideas to get her to eat then I'd be willing to listen!!

We sit down together to eat but she just plays with food, if I take away she'll sit until it's time to leave the table....We've learned not to force the issue but instead to throw plate after plate of food in the bin.

I'm afraid I don't have much advice but wanted to sympathise as my 2 year old Son is very similar in his eating (lack of!) habits! My son's favourite food is toast and chips and ketchup! He does have a more varied diet but I now even resort to taking him to mcdonalds just cause i know he may just eat some chicken nuggets! I do envy those parents whose kids will eat anything that is put in front them them!

custardy

mrsw1983 wrote: »

I'm afraid I don't have much advice but wanted to sympathise as my 2 year old Son is very similar in his eating (lack of!) habits! My son's favourite food is toast and chips and ketchup! He does have a more varied diet but I now even resort to taking him to mcdonalds just cause i know he may just eat some chicken nuggets! I do envy those parents whose kids will eat anything that is put in front them them!

must admity,i didnt realise till reading posts like this how good my boy is
he pretty much eats anything,though can be funny with certain textures like rice

heretolearn_2

OP

I'm sorry if I'm wrong about this but I'm guessing you don't cook your own meals either, otherwise you wouldn't have this problem. A kid of that age should just eat the same as the parents, not special ready meals, and certainly not baby mush. I take yoiu only eat ready meals and things yourself?

OK, you know that's not good, and thumbs up for you for realising that this can't continue now you are responsible for a kid. That sort of diet is very unhealthy - ok if you choose to as an adult - but it's criminal to inflict it on kids!

So...if you really can't cook. Can you ask someone for some help? Can your mum cook? Another relative? You need to learn, pronto. If not, there are great books at the library. Delia Smith has done a basics cookery book, that covers everything from literally how to boil an egg, and is a good starting point. Otherwise general family meals cookbooks will help you. Bear in mind that young children shouldn't follow an adult's healthy eating plan - they need more calories for their size, and a larger proportion of fats. But normal family foods should cover that.

Fruit and veg are easy and don't need cooking necessarily. Protein is easy - pretty much anything in portions (chicken legs, pork chops) can be whacked in a medium oven and you can see when it's done. Stick a knife in and pry it apart a bit. Any pink, give it another 5 minutes.

Jacket potatoes (very good for you) take 8 minutes in a microwave. That's not hard. Pasta- just follow the instructions. 10 minutes boiling, done.

Please start now before it is too late for your kid's health.