13 month old won't eat protein!

[MDHmommy]

Not sure what's going on here, if it's molars, cold, or if I've given in to picky eating and created a monster...but my 13 month old won't eat anything but fruit and cheese! I can't get him to eat any meats!

He'll shovel blueberries in by the fistful, gobble clementines, and carrots and broccoli...but give the kid a turkey meatball, or a slice of roasted pork and it's dog food!

Any ideas for good protien for this age, that does not require cooking an entirely separate meal for DH and me? I should mention, he does seem to like fish...

And how horrible is it, really, for a kid this age to not eat any meat?

[momofclaire]

My dd is the same way.  She is a wonderful eater but when it comes to meat she really just doesn't like it. 
Some good protein idea:  soybeans, tofu, kidney beans, cottage cheese, yogurt, veggie cheese (it's made with soy but tastes like cheese)

I don't think it's a huge deal if they don't eat a ton of mean.  Milk has plenty of protein in it.  I try to offer some protein at every meal mostly from the above list.  I try meat but she just throws it on the floor...but hey our dog loves it. 

DD also likes fish and I think thats fine protein. DH won't let me give her shell fish yet until we talk to the doc.

[tylersmommy]

Cheese is a good source of protein, so don't worry! It's pretty common for toddlers not to like meat, I think the texture puts them off. Mine wouldn't touch it until after he turned 2, and even now, it's still pretty rare that he'll even take a bite. As long as you offer other sources of protein, like the ones listed by the pp, and iron, like eggs or iron-fortified adult cereal (cheerios, etc), then he'll be fine without meat!

[MDHmommy]

Thanks!!
I'll try some beans. And tofu too. Last time we tried tofu it didn't work out so well, but that was a couple of months ago. I had been cooking it in low-sodium chicken stock to give it some flavor. How do you all cook it?

[momofclaire]

I cube it and put it in a skillet with a little olive oil...or there is this Smart Balance Omega oil I sometimes use for her.  It has a blend of oils and omega 3's.  When it's a little firm I take it out and shred a little cheese on top.  She loves it. I think it's the cheese but hey whatever.  I will also mix tofu and cottage cheese or tofu and applesauce.  It's a great protein and I sneak it in here and there since she will not eat meat. 

[MDHmommy]

Excellent! Thanks!!