Finding cheap meals for people who suffer with intolerances andfussy eaters

kat360

Hi

I am looking for suggestions for meals I can do cheaply to feed two adults and two toddlers. I have a very fussy OH and two year old and I am intolerant to tomatoes. OH won't eat pasta or mushrooms, hates spicy food of any kind and my two year old hates anything new. I would like her to try more meat, she eats all fruit and vegetables but will reject meat if its not sausages or chicken nuggets.

I do cook things like toad in the hole, pizza and chicken stews but I would like to cook something different.

I would appreciate any ideas

Thanks

MandM90

My OH didn't like mushrooms, so I diced them very small into sauces and things, then let the pieces get bigger and bigger and now she actually likes them. I think I read somewhere that if you try something enough times you'll end up liking it; I've never heard of anyone not liking pasta though :eek:

What about a risotto with peas/sweetcorn and bits of chicken in it. Just rice, stock, garlic, herbs and whatever veg/meat. If you shred a bit of chicken or ham into the creamy sauce I'm sure the toddler wouldn't mind too much.

What about bean/lentil stews? Beans are incredibly cheap, filling and very healthy. My little one LOVES anything with beans in. We make 4 bean chilli with only garlic and cumin and serve it over rice with brocolli and it's one of her favourite meals and SUPER healthy - we just put chilli flakes/sauce directly onto our plates to make it hot enough for us.

Make sure your kids don't pick up on your OHs fussiness! DD (and OH!) either eat what they've been given or go hungry

BitterAndTwisted

Most two-year olds reject things that are strange and new, this isn't really anything to be that concerned about. Just keep introducing things in very small quantities and if you have to, insist they have just one bite of it. In my opinion kids who "don't like that" when they've never had it before shouldn't be pandered to or they'll end up like your husband.

Have you had a look on the cheap-family-recipe.org website for menu ideas?

PipneyJane

On the subject of the two year old, small children will often reject something that they really like because of the way it is presented to them. For example, a small child may really like hamburgers but will sit and cry and push away a whole one because they can't comprehend how they'd eat it. When presented with just a couple of small pieces, they scoff them up and ask for more. The larger portion just confused and overwhelmed.

pink_princess

My DS has a whole host of food allergies including peanut which is life threatening.
What you describe is just people choosing not to eat certain things.
As a parent you need to give your child a very varied diet. The more non processed foods you can feed your toddlers the better. Do not give up when they twist a face as that just means it is unusal. It takes us 21 times before we dislike something from what I have read.
Start by grating a carrot into meals, then add some lentils, keep changing and increasing the veg/amounts. It is also time to tell your OH to grow up a little perhaps.

Toonie

Many young children are not fond of meat mainly because of the texture, they find it hard to chew and it takes a long time for their little teeth to work through it, rest assured, this generally become easier as they get older. My nephew (aged 7) used to hate meat apart from Bolognese as he couldn't chew it well, but now loves roast dinners and would eat them every day if he could.

A two year old will also pick at food more as they have very small stomachs so I agree with not putting too much on a plate, they can feel very scared when seeing a mountain of food before them.

Unfortunately I have a lot of food allergies and intolerances, some of which can cause swelling of my throat (raw fruit) whilst others cause projectile vomiting (garlic and other alliums) so I have to be very careful. The only thing I have found is it has encouraged my cooking ability. Can you perhaps involve your little one in cooking, even if it is just stirring things? Also, do the same with your OH, involve them in meal plans and also implement a "new meal" every fortnight perhaps, where you try something entirely new, no arguments.

daska

Personally I'd be telling my OH that he needs to help you get your child to try things - which means he has to eat them as if he likes them!

On saturday I did this with snails: mmm... yummy... would you like to try one? hesitation, intrigue and an almost lick... mmm, you better hurry up or there'll be none left... curiosity got the better of him and he finished the dozen.

I HATE snails, they're just garlic flavoured chewy things, but I have a principle that my children 'try' a mouthful. If they don't like it then they don't have to have any more and they'll get something they like as a reward. In this instance DS2 (4) has been doing Mini-Beasts (insects, snails etc) at school and they had a pretend restaurant where they looked at things that people ate around the world. So this fitted with his homework and on Monday he took in his bag of shells to show everyone that he'd been brave

Involving them in the prep and cooking also helps spark an interest in trying what they've helped to make, they can add things you've already weighed or measured, stir and make a huge (and hilarious) mess. All good fun.

RAS

Hi

Try reading this article about getting children to try food, whilst not insisting they eat it all http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/why-french-children-are-happy-eaters-7712217.html

I hated bananas, tomatoes and doghnuts as a child. When asked why, I did not have a clue. I was encouraged to try a bit and found that they were OK.

vanoonoo

what about daahl with rice? its not spicy and its not meat no pasta and doesnt need any tomatoes

joedenise

Wish this could be implemented in the UK. Think it's a brilliant idea.

Denise

VfM4meplse

Great article, RAS.

OP, I don't think you should be pandering to your 2 yo and most definitely not to your OH. You shouldn't have to put up with this rubbish just because his mother never taught him to eat properly.