How can I trick my 3 year old cousin into eating?

Question

I have a 3yr old cousin who is hands down the pickiest and most stubborn eater in the world. His mom has tried to withhold meals till he eats some veggie and offered rewards like Popsicles for eating healthy foods; but, he would rather die than eat anything he does not want. He eats cereal, Popsicles, waffles, French fries, chicken nuggets, an occasional peanut butter sand with NO jelly, fruit rollups and of course an occasional piece of candy when it's offered. He does not eat fruits, veggies, meats (other than chix nuggets), yogurt, pasta, pizza, cheese, beans or anything else you can think up. This really bothers his mom and she if afraid he is not getting enough nutrients. Do you have any tricky ways to get some healthy foods into him?

Answer 1

sometimes reverse psychology can help.

tell him he can't have beans! sneak in the kitchen and eat a couple of beans out the can (and leave a small smear of sauce on your face...) pretend you haven't done anything, but make him curious.

have a carrot crunching contest, with stickers for prizes.

get a couple of people to "race" eating a raw crunchy carrot.

just make it seem like a race, no need to choke!

keep re-serving the same meal until it has been eaten. no other things offered until it has all gone. apart from water.

does he drink juice? that will help, if it is fresh stuff.

maybe something as simple as choosing between carrots and peas might give him a sense of control. and start with small portions.

try giving food different names. my son was not interested in parsnips, but ate the white carrots quite happily

same with sweetcorn. no thanks. but yellow beans, yes please.

Answer 2

I would take him to a Pediatrician. It does not sound like he is getting anything healthy to eat at all. For ways to get him to eat. Make sure he isn't eating any snacks or drinking too much before the meal. This will make the food more appetizing when its time to eat. Try giving him new foods with a favorite sauce or dip of his and he might be more willing to eat it. Or you could mix in some healthy foods with foods he already eats.  

Answer 3

My 2 yo can be pretty stubborn and when he refuses to eat something, I say "you do it" and that will usually get him to take at least 1 bite if he can do it himself.  I also try to make the food fun, like carrot sticks or broccoli trees ( we just call them something interesting) and he definitely likes it.   We will also show him that we are eating the same food as well.  I've decided to stop making separate meals for him and if he doesn't eat, he can come back for it later, but it's going to be the same meal.  I do try and make sure there is a favorite at each meal mixed with a veggie or fruit.  If all else fails just make sure he is getting a good children's multivitamin.  Also, I just started using deceptively delicious (the cookbook) and it has some creative ways to sneak veggies into children's favorites.  

Answer 4

Stick with the not giving him anything until he eats what is given to him.  If it's not giving to him he will eat when he's hungry and he will eat what is given.  He's old enough to know that when he doesn't eat what you want him to eat, he knows you will end up giving him what he wants.

Answer 5

No tricks. No bribes.  He's obviously eating junk because he's been allowed to eat junk.  He won't starve himself.  She needs to offer him healthy foods.  (There is nothing WRONG with the occassional chicken nuggets or fries, but until he learns to eat better foods, she needs to hold off on junk completely.)