2 year old nephew is a very picky eater?

Question

My nephew is 2, and he eats very unhealthy and he's very picky. Pretty much the only thing he eats are chicken nuggets, pizza, fruit snacks, sweets, milk, cereal, applesauce, and juice. He refuses to try anything else, no matter what. He won't try meat, veggies, fruits, etc. How can we get him to try new foods? He can't survive off all this c**p food forever. Thanks :)

Answer 1

You sound like a real loving caring aunt (or uncle??) However, I think only the parents or main carers can fix the problem.

My child is picky too but she's way much better than just junk food. She eats vegie and a tiny bit of meat. She's getting better, she's 2 1/2 now and started to eat more meat and fish too. Secret is NEVER GIVE UP. Offer, if fail offer again after awhile!!

If you have a say in the daily routine of your nephew, I would suggest to change a little bit at a time. e.g. cut some milk to start with. Many people think milk is good for you therefore let their kids drink as much as they want, before bedtime, in the middle of the night etc. No doubt milk is good but a child doesn't need too much. 2 to max 3 serves of dairy products are sufficient. Too much milk will reduce his appetite a lot. Plus milk or juice will cause tooth decay particularly if they have it before bedtime or in the middle of the night. It's just that many parents choose to ignore such problem.

Ok... after cutting the number of bottles of milk, try something like light vanilla icecream or yoghurt with a bit of fruit. or how about milkshake with fruit?? Let him feed himself with the banana?? My daughter loves it. She thinks she's a big girl.

Try pizza with veggies and meat and try make your own pizza if you can. Let him participate in the making of it. He might be interested to eat then. Plus at least you know what's in it.

Try veggie nuggets (they look the same as chicken ones... lol). Then slowly move to healthier options.

Try one thing at a time when he is in good mood. If he refuses try again in a month's time. Eat healthy as a parent or carer. Eat with the toddler at the same time. He might soon want to eat what you are eating!

Don't forget to praise him whenever he even trys to put new things in his mouth. Doesn't matter if he doesn't like it. Praise him for the effort!!!! He will want to try something else again next time.

Try creat some faces with veggies?? Might look interesting enough for him to eat.

Last tip..... KIDS WILL NEVER STARVE THEMSELVES AND THEREFORE EAT WHEN THEY ARE HUNGRY. So don't feed him so much junk food and he will eat!!

Good luck.

Answer 2

I bought Jessica Seinfeld's book, here is the link, my son is still young so I haven't tried it yet but the recipes look really good =)

http://www.deceptivelydelicious.com/site...

Good luck to you

Answer 3

Sorry to be boring - but - my answer is - JAMIE OLIVER.

I don't need to say more 'cause he gives all the answers to your question.

I think you should also have a talk with your brother/sister and partner why they have brought him up eating c**p!!!!

Just change things little by little.  

But, always allow a few treats too.

Myrna

Answer 4

well you may want to try to start him on a new diet now b/c when he gets to be older he will be stuck on this diet. I would try to tell him that green beans are like a new fruit snack maybe he will try it and like it! you never know...

Answer 5

lol omg thats all i eat!! ^ ^

But im wicked skinny but i still eat strawberrys, hes two so just have him play with food for a while and make little storys about it ^ ^

Answer 6

My son was the same way at 2 years old. What I did was gave him what he liked and told him that ir he wanted more pizza cany ect... that he would have to try something else. If he wont just give him more ceral,milk and applesauce those are good for him and he will get tired of those things. He will grow out of it promise

Answer 7

It is a phase, this too shall pass. Just keep on offering things in small quantities.

Also see if you can do a variation on a familiar food - Pizza with a bit of a meat topping, some fruit with cereal.

I'd also limit the fruit snacks and sweets - if he is tanking up on that, he sure won't try new stuff!

Answer 8

Have you ever read him the book, by Dr. Suess " Green Eggs and Ham"?or "Sam I am? I beieve if you make a game out of it, what characters on TV does he like? Like Sesame Street? Mr. Rogers? Winnie the pooh? Popeye, Power Rangers, Ninja Turtles, wrestling?If you say to him (WHOEVER HIS HERO IS ON TV), they got big,strong,because they ateWHATEVER  IT IS YOU"RE TRYING TO HIM TO TRY), OR THEN YOU COULD SAY THAT HIS HERO,(SPONGE BOB?) likes these colors when they eat: GREEN, YELLOW,WHITE & YELLOW,)such as eggs?? Or put food coloring in them.Food coloring won't hurt him, see if that works. Hope this helped!Tell him peanut butter/celery is good for  growing big  &strong like his daddy.