Support thread for moms of picky eaters

[Brandonsmom]

Hey Mommy to one, I have her book, The Sneaky Chef! My sister in law told me about it and I went ahead and bought it. I really really like it. It not only shows you how to sneak veggies and fruits into their diet, it kind of power boosts the food they normally eat. I've gotten all kinds of ideas from it and it's sparked my creativity in the kitchen. If you or any other ladies are thinking about getting it I highly recommend it!

[J & J's Mum]

Hi,

I have such a picky eater on my hands!!! I've started being sneaky now!!  I made some chicken nuggets from the Annabel Karmel book and they're coated in broken up cheese and onion crisps and breadcrumbs...well, I pretend to my DS that they're biscuits and he'll eat them!!!  All you have to do is put a chicken breast in a food processor with a grated apple, bit of onion, breadcrumbs and I think that's it.  I cut them into shapes with my cake cutters.  THen cover them in breadcrumbs and broken up cheese n onion crisps...they are nice actually!!! 

[Jimbob]

I have not been on this thread for a while as my dd eats really well now. We do still have the odd blib but on the whole doing really well. She is constantly wanting to try new things they are not always a hit but her list of foods she likes is quite large now. So I guess what I am trying to say is just be patient they will get there in the end unless there is an underlying medical problem which in most cases there is not.

When dd would not eat her meals nothing else was offered at that point. We would often prepare a healthy snack a couple of hours later. This would usually consist of ham, yogurt and fruit. This way I felt that we were not giving in at meal times but she still got some decent nutrition. During this time we did not let dd have any chocolate or crisps.

[Melsy]

I am hoping now that I have quit my job, I will have more time to work on DS and his picky eating!  I have been lucky in that at daycare, he will eat well.  Now that I have quit my job, I need to get him to eat more than just vegemite sandwiches 3 times a day.  Not that there is anything wrong with vegemite sandwiches, but some meat, fruit and veggies once or twice a week would be nice!!!!!   

We offered dinner last night - corn cob, mash, peas, carrot and sausages.  Aidan ate the corn cob!  That's it.  So of course he was still hungry.  He didn't want any yoghurt (which is my back up dinner!    )  so he ate a bowl of Cheerios.  Then after DH and I were finished dinner, we put out a plate of strawberries and cut up apple for every one to share.  DS ate about 3 slices of apple, so not too bad!  He is at daycare today so we shall see how he eats. 

I might try to get my hands on some of those books that have been recommended earlier in the thread, sounds like it could offer some useful information!

Well, just wanted to mark my place on this thread, I am sure I will be back lots over the next few weeks!

Oh quick question:  Has anyone seen a difference in the picky eater once another sibling came along??  I am hoping maybe we can do things a bit better from the start with #2 and perhaps that will encourage ds to try new foods if his little brother or sister is trying it.  I just hope it doesn't back fire and #2 picks up bad habits from #1!!!         

Melissa

[TERESA-E&C's Mommy]

Welcome Melissa!!  I am new to this thread as well.  I kept telling myself DD was not a picky eater, that she was too young!!  LOL!!!  I have ordered The Sneaky Chef.  I will let you know how things go.  What is vegemite?  We might need to try that. 

As for Emily.  I have make veggie pancakes this week and so far they are a hit.  She is also eating green beans again.  Thank goodness they are really the only veggie that she eats well.

[Melsy]

Thanks for the welcome, Mummy To One (sorry, I don't know your real name!) 

We had a small break thru last night - DS ate Beef Macaroni!!!!!  I was SOOOOOOOOOOO proud of him!!!  And of me!!    He was asking for food at 5pm.  I offered him an apple or a banana and said that he could wait till dinner (which I was in the process of cooking).  He refused and was screaming for a vegemite sandwich.  (Oh, vegemite is a dark black sandwich spread we have here in Oz.  It is quite a strong flavour.  Yum on toast)  I refused to give in to the sandwich (which I normally would have done) and continued to offer the fruit.  He continued to refuse and kept screaming.  I just kept calm and kept talking to him till he calmed down.

So, we went downstairs so he could ride his bike till DH got home so we could all eat together.  Came back upstairs, served dinner.  "NO" and pushes the plate away, says DS.     DH and I started to eat the pasta with our fingers pretending we were cranes and he started doing it too!!  He ended up eating a pretty big amount of the mince and the pasta!!  I was so happy I was hugging him and kissing him and telling him how proud of him I was!!!  So he got to have his favourite chocolate custard for dessert!!     Not sure if that is a good idea or not, but I was trying to re-inforce good, happy feelings for being at the table, instead of horrible mummy wouldn't give me my sandwich, IYKWIM! 

How is everyone else doing???  I ordered the Just Two More Bites  book.  Had to have it special ordered from the states as we don't have it in Oz.     So it will take about 6 weeks or more she reckons!!!  Oh well, I shall have to be patient!!

Melissa

[TERESA-E&C's Mommy]

Sorry I forgot my name is Teresa and my picky little eater is
Emily.  Well I guess I am too.  I had to admit it, but she got her eating habits from me.  Anyway, that is a whole new thread in the works. LOL.

Congrats on dinner tonight.  We had a good night as well.  Emily does not eat much meat other than chicken.  Tonight she had a small spoonful of meatloaf mixed into mashed potatoes.  She also had some green beans.  I need to remember that just because she is eating the green beans again does not mean I need to serve them every day!!!

I too have given a reward for eating well at the dinner table.  I also try hard to have Emily wait and eat with us.  Some days she seems hungry while I am cooking though.  What do you think about toddlers eating early?  She always ate early when she was just starting on solids, but now I feel like we need to try for family meal times.  What do you ladies think?

[sarahmac]

Im at my wits end. My child is now 2 years and 1 month and will eat only baby jars, I can see him eatin just jars when he is 4!!!

[mel_06]

DD2 is 3 and has been a picky eater since 18 month of age, (after she came down with pnemonia) She surivies on dry biscuits, yoghrt, bread, milk and really thats about it.  I have been making one meal and she will not try it so she goes hungry I dont know what else to try, anyone got any suggestions?
\
Melissa

[Jimbob]

You could add fruit to the yogurt. If lumps in the yogurt would be a problem then you could blitz it in at first. This would at least get some fresh fruit into the diet.

Your dd might also like smoothies if she likes yogurt. You can add lots of fruit into these. You could also add an omega oil into these aswell.

My dd used to think it was great if I made sanwiches that were cut into teddy bear shapes etc. Would definately eat more like this.

[mel_06]

Thanx heaps for your ideas they are great!! I will give them a go and will let you know how she goes.

[Melsy]

Hi Ladies,

I said I was going to concentrate on trying to help DS (almost 3) to eat better now that I am off work.  It's not really happening.   

Today he ate:

BREKKIE:  2 x sml bowls Cheerios, milk and Heinz banana and strawberry fruit bars (2 of each)
SNACK:  Muesli bar
LUNCH: Vegemite sandwich and milk.
SNACK: Rice cakes with vegemite
DINNER:  Offered chicken balls.  Refused.  Ate 1/2 toasted english muffin with vegemite, 2 x vegemite sandwiches and 1/2 banana and milk. 

               Is my child addicted to Vegemite or what??  I really don't know where to go from here.  I just wish and pray every night that he will wake up and be a good eater.     Yeah right!!

How is everyone else doing??

Melissa

[TERESA-E&C's Mommy]

I know I have asked on anther thread before, but what is vegemite again?  And, I don't think I know what muesli is either.  I am a ver picky eater myself and don't know much about different kinds of food.  Sad to say but I still with my same circle of food   

[Melsy]

Hey mommy to One,

I am not the most adventerous eater myself but I at least eat SOME meat, veggies and fruit!!!  DS eats none of those!!!!      

Vegemite is like an Australia icon - it is a black, strong tasting spread - great on toast or sandwiches.  I have fond memories of vegemite and cheese sandwiches most days at primary school - so perhaps I was a picky eater as a child too??     Will have to ask my dad but he won't remember!!   

Hope everyone else is doing better - i figure he will eat one of these days, hopefully before high school!!!!      


Melissa

[Mydreamcametrue]

I have a very picky eater also.  He just turned 2.  He has always been a small eater since birth (never ate much).  He will not eat any meat, vegetables or pasta.  He does love peanut butter, cheese and milk though. 

MELISSA:  I love the story you shared about your break through.  That gave me lots of hope.  I am trying my best to get my son on a eating schedule and not give in at meal times.  I think he knows if he does not eat, he will get something else. 

I have always just been worried about his eating, I did not care when he ate (as long as he ate).  But, NOW it is time to set 3 meals and 2 snacks a day.

It is so tough though when you kid does not eat much.