What can i feed the fussiest eater in the world?

Shez

since being at home (lost job last year) ive been doing alot more HM Cooking, my family are loving it, except for the 2 little ones (4yr & 2yr) - they too are difficult - DS 4yr wont try anything, DD 2yr does love anytype of fruit though, and used to eat vegetables but now she sees DS not having them she's started saying "no". They eat pasta with just the plain tomato sauce, wont have bolognaise, wont try lasagne. Dont eat baked beans, spaghetti, chips really (usual kids stuff) However, they dont eat that bad, they like, eggs, cheese, pate, ham, wheetabix, cornflakes, raisins, sausages (skinless), chicken drumsticks, DD only likes tomato soup, cant get DS to try soup at all! I wish I could get them to try other foods though.

milliejon

My daughter is 3 and goes to nursery every afternoon. Since starting there in January, she is constantly hungry - she's burning so much energy now I guess.

chelltune wrote:

If you make a sandwich when the meal is refused you are letting your children be fussy. If they are hungry they will eat or at least try the food. perhaps if they see there is no alternative then they will be more likely to try whats on offer.

Thank you - you're probably right. I'd feel awful though if she really didn't like the food and I didn't offer something else. She always tries things - but invariably says she doesn't like it. I will keep trying.

Troll - I do try to make sure she only eats every three hours or so. But I'm not sure when breakfast starts and when it finishes. It takes so long for her to eat cereal!

I had a terrible time at mealtimes when I was a kid. We were skint (it came to porridge for every meal at some times, and a can of baked beans fed 4 of us as teenagers). So I'm really reluctant to make her eat her food if she doesn't like it.

Thank you for your replies though and I will try to curb her eating between meals.

dora37

milliejon wrote:

Troll - I do try to make sure she only eats every three hours or so. But I'm not sure when breakfast starts and when it finishes. It takes so long for her to eat cereal!
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Why not give her a set amount of time to eat breakfast - say 20 mins - then what is not eaten gets taken away? This way you would be able to have a proper snack time and lunch time too - this way she may also have more of an appetite.

Hope that helps

foxychik

Hi. I have been 'hanging around' on the boards for a while but not posting.

I have 2 children; 3 years and 6 months old and a very very fussy OH.

I am full time stay at home mum, with various self employed projects going on. I am determined to stay at home as long as possible but finding it difficult to balance the books.

Since I stoppped working I have found my whole outlook has changed I want to eat fresh, locally produced food, live as part of a community, do things together as a family - rather than watch the telly, live within our means without debt, the list goes on...

I have started this lifestyle change but feel I am only scratching the surface really. I know many of you have similar challenges and time restrictions so just after some 'baby steps' that are realistic.

I have ordered my first farmaround delivery - sharing it with my mum, so next week want to base meals around 'the bag' so I guess until then, need to do the storecupboard challenge.

My main prob is OH. Likes Mcdonalds, fish and chips, pizza but only very plain food. Veggies big no no. I have friends who have refused to cook separate meals and even friends who have insisted their partners eat and finish a meal whether they like it or not! I might be soft but I don't feel I can dictate anything - he makes all the money and I spend it all! Surely I can't dictate what he eats too?!!!

Comments appreciated

Rikki

You can disguise vegetables in meals.

You can make your own pizzas, beefburgers and fish with either batter or breadcrumb on it, chicken nuggets etc.

So you could still dish up simular foods to start with and gradually introduce new foods as and when.

Good old basics shepards pie, toad in the hole etc

My ex was a fussy eater and never ate vegetables so I know what a difficult job you have. My two boys eat almost anything you put in front of them within reason and apparently my ex still is a fussy eater but it didn't affect the children.

foxychik

Thank you for the assurance that I can make a difference without being a meanie!!!

zombiecazz

There are many ways of hiding veg in your everyday food. Such as, HM burgers, spaghetti bolognaise, chilli, meatloaf etc add grated carrot, courgette, apple and finely slice onion and celery.

Make your own pizzas with HM tomato sauce cook this with plenty of veg (carrots, onions, peppers, celery, even mushroom) then liquidize it.

HM fish and chips are lovely, make batter with flour, seasoning, water and a little vinegar. Add in flavours such, as beer (replaces the water), lemon herbs, mustard. Make your own cunky chips, but try adding some carrot & parsnip wedges to the potatoes when deep frying them or roast all they wedges for a healthier treat.

My OH is a die hard meat man, but over time I've introduced beans to alot of our meals to bulk them up, (he always ate them in Chilli anyway) so now he actively misses the RK beans, chickpeas etc if they are missing.:A

foxychik

feeling inspired now - where to start? pizza probably good idea. best place to get nice bases? - i'm not brilliant in the kitchen (yet!)

Chell

Could you give him a guilt trip? If he continues to eat unhealthy this will rub off on the kids. How can you expect the kids to eat well if Daddy won't.

thriftmonster

My OH is really fussy as well - he swears he isn't - so I usually do one veggie everyone will eat and one more unusual. HM versions of "junk" food are good and what I found was that after a few weeks of eating the HM versions they go off the taste of the fast food/ convenience versions.

One step at a time is all you can do - but just think how much progress you could make in 6 months even if it's only a few steps each week.