Do you feel like you give your toddler the SAME things every day??

[cam621]

I am at a loss.  I feel like it is getting worse too.  My dd (22 mo) is such a picky eater.  She will eat, but only about 6-8 things total. She will eat fruit, yogurt, cottage cheese, bread, mac and cheese, tuna sandwiches (when in the mood), quesadillas, pancakes and muffins and that is it!  Once in a while, grilled cheese.  Doesn't eat chicken, fish, meat, veggies, pasta...etc...So I used to offer these things, but kind of gave up and just give her things she likes.  I know that I should keep offering but feel like it is such a waste especially when I know she is hungry and she will eat the other stuff right away.  Am I creating a monster by not still offering the other stuff?  She ALWAYS refuses anything new!  Anything that doesn't look familiar, she just spits out, or doesn't even try...Ugh.  I feel like she isn't getting enough variety but I am also tired of making meals she just won't eat.  HELP!!!

[momofclaire]

Oh yes. I feel your pain.  I have a good eater but it seems she goes in stages of only wanting one thing for a few days.  I would keep offering different things. You can always mix things in with the cottage cheese an yogurt.  To add protein to Claire's diet I mix tofu with her cottage cheese and she doesn't even know it. I also sneak things into quesadillas, like beans and turkey.  Try offering veggies like broccoli and calling it a little tree or cauliflower and call it a funny cloud. Parenting mag had some good tips last month.

[MDHmommy]

Cam, does your LO sit down to supper with you and the rest of the family? Or does she always get her meal earlier than everyone else?

I ask because I find that my DS sits with DH and I he looses interest in what he is eating, and wants what we have...usually the jalepeno filled whatever...but regardless, I do let him try. And if he doesn't want it, he'll go back to whatever thing it was that he was eating.

I've found a ton of toddler-friendly foods in the frozen natural foods section of my grocery store too - so they're good for quick meal options in order to offer variety with very little effort on your part! DS loves the Morningstar Farms Eggs Florentine for example...no egg, all soy. Their veggie burgers are a big hit too.

Good luck!

[momofclaire]

The veggie burgers are a hit???  Ok I am trying them tomorrow. I eat them all the time and always thought I woud be wasting them on her.  Ok so lunch tomorrow is planned. Thanks Kate

[Marisa's Mom]

I feel your pain. DD (just turned 2 yrs) used to be eager to try everything, now she's a picky eater. She'll love something for a while, then not want to touch it for a while. I've learned to go with the flow. I know it's sometimes frustrating to make something and then have it refused (or just refused off the bat when you verbally suggest a certain food). I just cycle through the usual foods until I get something she's in the mood for.

If I'm eating something, and she has the exact same thing on her plate, she will invariably want to eat off of my plate. Never mind that I try to tell her that she has the same thing on her plate. Anyhows, since she's almost always more interested in what is on my plate, I sometimes just prepare something and put it on my plate with the intention of having her nibble off of it. Sometimes she falls for this and eats. :-)

Some things we give her include:

- Waffles (blueberry waffles are a hit)
- Bread, with or without a spread (peanut butter/jam, or just the preserves; butter if it is raisin bread)
- English Muffin, with or without a spread
- Cereals such as "O" ceceals (like Cheerios), Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies; unfortunately we've gotten into the "sugary" cereals like Kix, etc
- Yams or Sweet Potato
- Spaghetti
- Ramen (add frozen veggies while cooking)
- Noodles/pasta dishes (with meat & veggies)
- Ravioli (smaller "finger food" sized ones are a hit)
- Tortellini (smaller "finger food" sized ones are a hit)
- Mashed Potatoes
- Pancakes
- Oatmeal with raisins & milk
- Nutrigrain bars
- Crackers
- Graham crackers
- French Toast
- Rice Cakes
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Fries

- All kinds of fruits, usually never refused
- Carrot (cooked soft, not raw)
- Squash (zucchini, yellow squash, etc)
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli (try melting cheese over it)
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Peas & Carrots (frozen pkg)
- Beans
- Chinese Broccoli
- Cream Style Corn (crack and egg into mixture and cook thoroughly)
- Tomato
- Avocado

- Cheese (babybel cheese has been a hit lately)
- Yogurt
- Eggs (scrambled, add veggies & cheese)

- Tofu
- California rolls (thank goodness she loves these, gets avocado & cucumber into her, and it's healthier than McDonalds, lol)

- Hamburger
- Burrito
- Meatloaf
- Pizza (not often, about once in a month)
- Pizza Rolls (not often, about once in a month)
- Bagel Bites (not often, about once in a month)

- Soup (she's just gotten into trying to drink it from a spoon & sipping from the bowl; add veggies & tofu)

-Marie

[MDHmommy]

HUGE hit. I never would have thought of it either! My friend in CO was giving them to her 12 month old while we were out there so I thought I'd try it. LOVES them. He really likes the little "egg" bite things though, try those. (I love them too...)

[Mom to M&M]

How do you serve the veggie burgers (and prepare them)? Same for the egg bites?

[MDHmommy]

I just spray a little pan with canola oil spray and cook them in the pan. Then I cut them into strips or triangles and that's it. Egg bites are microwaveable. I just cut them up.

[Mydreamcametrue]

I am right there with you.  I am in the same boat as you, I have just given up.  We waste so much food around here...

My son (20 mos) goes through phases where one day he will eat a cheeseburger or pizza, but the next day spit it out.  One thing he will always eat no matter what is corn dogs or hotdogs.  I hate giving these to  him, but I want him to eat.

I am proably more flexible than other mom's because we used to have major issues with him eating and gaining weight.  Now.. I just want him to eat and don't care if I have to fix a few things. 

I like a lot of the suggestions though.  I think I will just offer him a hotdog and then whatever else we are eating and see what happens.

Good Luck.. It is frustrating.. I know..

[Liam's Mama]

I feel the same way sometimes with my ds, however I refuse to make another meal for him... I know it sounds harsh but if he doesn't want what we are serving he doesn't eat... it doesn't last long believe me and I try to always make sure that there is at least one thing that we know he likes. I was also given a great tip from a fellow bw about adding a very finely chopped mixture of fresh carrot, spinach and parsley to his food items. For example, I put it right in his soup, grilled cheese, pasta, scrambled eggs, homemade pizza, meatballs... you name it I cook it right in and he has no clue, we also eat it - it actually tastes good! I have made tons and freeze it then just bring it out when needed. 

I would encourage you to continue offering new foods, otherwise you may have a child who always refuses to eat what you are eating because she knows you will make something else for her until she is satisfied 

Good luck!! 

Devon

[iggy's_mummy]

heya, and here's some advice from my mum... her sister (or my aunt) cooked custom-meals for all her three daughters, they are now all teenagers and STILL insist on custumised meals!!! eep! imagine cooking THREE separate meals each meal time??