Feeding a family of just 2 on very limited budgets

Lindy_-_Loo

My sisters children were very fussy and she would make faces with the food to make it fun. My boys are super fussy and it has worked sometimes!

One example - mash (potato and cauli) made into a round shape on the plate, than cut up sausage to make eyes, nose and maybe a mouth then spaghetti (tin) to make the long hair!

youngoldlady

I do sympathise with you! My DD is a control freak and uses any tactic to get her way from food to toilet issues and everything in between. It is so hard giving it no attention and staying calm. What gets to me is having to praise her for doing something that is perfectly ordinary and she should be doing anyway! :mad: But it does alleviate the tension.

1. Have you tried making the plate look appealing? Lots of colours? Like red, green, yellow peppers for example. Also making a shape or picture when arranging the food is often far more appealing - even if it's only a smiley face or a rabbit! Use your imagination.

2. Have you ever tried a chocolate fondue? Slowly melt your chosen chocolate with a little milk or vegetable oil (improves texture.) Then cut up as big a variety of fruit as you can lay your hands on - grapes, apple, banana, satsumas, strawberries, cherries etc. Let LO dip them into the chocolate sauce. Even some of the fussiest people I know will struggle to refuse that (OH family are nightmares :mad:) At least after living with me for 18months he isn't like that anymore!

youngoldlady

Also perhaps trying to make mealtimes different might help...like having an indoor or outdoor picnic or eating in a treehouse or den. Anything to break the cycle of stress!

djbum_syd

I'm loving all of these ideas.
Thank you, it's deffinetly given me some ideas on how to improve things.

I let her eat her dinner on the sofa last night next to me whilst her favourite cartoon was on, and I'd never seen her eat so much before, so I'm guessing changing things about every now and then will help encourage her to enjoy her food better.

We've got a stew for dinner tonight, so lots of veggies in there - lets see how it goes!! Lol.

Soundgirlrocks

Mrs_Jojo wrote: »

I used to blend everything when DD was tiny - literally juice all the veggies and add the juice and pulp together and heat it up for soup! Also, I used to rename things. DD hated mushrooms, but she used to love champignons (french for mushies!) don't ask me why, but it worked a treat!

Also, do you eat with her? Sometimes it can help to see someone else eat what you are eating - must be nice if everyone else likes it!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

This made me laugh, my sister was the same. I was cooking tea for her one night (stuffed jacket spuds) I forgot and she saw me adding mushrooms. Thinking on my feet (I must have been about 12 she would have been 4 ) I told her they were Wackers and really expensive and delish. She ate "wackers" for the next 8 years Lol:rotfl:She still gets teased about it at home now

Pink_Giraffe

My grandparents used to keep chickens, so my cousin hated the idea of eating chicken... she ate "white ham" for years! :rotfl:

Snowy_Owl

:rotfl:

Pink_Giraffe wrote: »

My grandparents used to keep chickens, so my cousin hated the idea of eating chicken... she ate "white ham" for years! :rotfl:

That is brillaint!!!! Just soooo creative!!!!:rotfl::T

Luis

Hi Syd,

I haven't really got much in the way of tips for you as my toddler would eat anything I put in front of him(including the table), but I just thought I would let you know that you're not on your own - I am single mummy to a 19 month old, who is exceedingly boisterous and knows how to push my buttons, and tries at every available opportunity.

I am very broke, and have £5 in my purse til the end of the month and no fuel in the car (which I need for work).

One day we'll be able to look back on this time and be proud of how we got through it, but just wanted to let you know I know how tough things are for you right now x

djbum_syd

Hi Luis, thank you for commenting.
It is pretty stressful, but I managed to get some cheap things in yesterday when I received some of my CTC, so I'm finding myself having to take more time over what I do instead of just bunging it in the oven or microwave. I hate cooking, but I'll give it a chance if it means cheaper living. Lol.
Hope things perk up for you soon! x

hilstep2000

Try these sites: http://greatlittleideas.com/
http://www.cheapcooking.com/
http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/