I don't understand how a 3yr old can not like a particular type of food? Is something wrong?

Question

My 3 yr old nephew will not eat meat. He never has. His mother constantly tries to feed it to him. He will run away, cry for hours, throw it away, etc. He will do anything except eat it. She went to the doctors and they said, continue to offer it to him, that's about she can do. I don't see him giving in. He eats all kinds of fruit, some vegatables, and junk food. The only thing similar to meat that he'll eat is chicken nuggets. He won't eat chicken, in any othe form. She tried to mix it in his potatoes, but if he notices it, he won't eat. Is eating meat, a learn behavior? He's healthy, but she is starting to get a little worried, so am I.

Answer 1

No-one has to eat meat.  There are tens of millions of entirely healthy vegetarians on the planet.  

So... if he doesn't like meat, his mother shouldn't force it.  Neither should she give him chicken nuggets. Better for him to eat a healthy diet without meat than to eat deep fried, over-salted 'junk' meat on a regular basis.  

He may eventually decide he likes meat.  And that's fine.  But if not, he doesn't need it. She will need to be sure he gets protein and iron from other sources -- veggies, legumes, dairy, eggs, etc.

Answer 2

I had a friend who's little brother was the same way.  All he would eat was bread and candy.  No meat, no vegetables, some fruit.  Lots of cokes and gatorades and other liquid candy like that.  Needless to say he was overwieght.  That kind of diet has diabetes written all over it.  But, in the case of your nephew, he actually eats pretty healthy from what you said, other than the junk food.  The chicken nuggets will get him by on the animal protein needed, and the some vegetables (depending on which ones) have some protein too.  My friend's brother eventually grew out of it sometime around 17 years old!!!  (and has since lost the weight through being active and participating in sports).  Try to introduce almonds and peanuts.  They have lots of protein and healthy fats that are needed in humans.  All in all, I don't think you should worry about it right now.  He has plenty of time to grow up and his tastes will change (sometimes drastically) as he grows up.  Just get rid of the junk food!!  Processed sugar is one of the reasons for the obesity and diabetes epidemic in this country!

Answer 3

People are chemical beings.  Each needs his own supply of various vitamins and proteins.  But not in the same quantities.  Children instinctively crave the foods that best supply what their body needs at that moment in their development.  Some crave greens for iron other citrus for Vit. C others crave meat for protein.  It will change as the body goes through it's various stages of development.  If a child will eat -  It is OK.

Answer 4

I don't think that it is anything to be to worried about if he is eating other foods.  I have the problem of allergies with my son, he is allergic to dairy, eggs, peanuts, potatoes, wheat, and soy, he does eat the last 3 but to find foods is hard.  The first meat he ate was BBQ pulled beef on a bun, he loves it, or BBQ chicken, my son just started eating hamburgers a couple months ago he is now 2 1/2.  He does not like to eat roast that is in soup but if I make a roast or stew he will eat that meat.  You can get your protein from other things besides meat, you can do yogurt, or cheese, penut butter.  You could always have your nephews mother eat the food if it is on her plate/fork/or sandwich and just offer it to him that way maybe he would try it if he sees her eating it.

Answer 5

It's not a big panic. My 3 year old refuses meat as well. I spoke with doctors, nutritionists - what was suggested was peanut butter. He loves pb and honey. Will eat pb by the spoonfull. As long as he is getting some kind of protein, don't worry about. Eating that way is actually pretty healthy when they get plenty of fruits and veggies. Limit junk food of course.  There are a lot of chemicals they add to store- bought meat that obviously aren't good for people. But we eat it anyway lol.  Chicken nuggets are chicken nuggets. It's not the most horrible thing he could eat.

Theres always one odd child in the family - I have 2 lol. My 2 year old eats things I can't even stand, and is always willing to try stuff out. You just never know what they are going to like. But keep pediatrician aware (and nutritionist - WIC helps there). And keep trying small bits of meat. Perhaps eventually he will try and like. I had to put that into practice with my 9 and 10 year old step kids - they refused everything but your basic meat and potatoes - until I made a deal with them. They had to try the new food..1 bite, if they really didn't like it  then they didn't have to eat it. If they liked it...then eat it (duh). It worked.  Worked great for carrots lol.

Anyhow, don't stress, and don't make it something he is going to hate by forcing it on him. He may just end up associating meat as being bad because its so stressfull when its offered.

Answer 6

haha I feel like Im reading about my son Jayden. He's the exact same way! I think its pretty normal based on the texture of meat. Kids are picky nowadays.

i used to worry like crazy, & I guess I still do! I worry daily about feeding my son.

It is really hard on a mom to constantly try to please a picky eater... & to know your kid has ate good so he can sleep good at night. But what I do it when I fry meat for tacos etc... I get him out some meat that is kinda stuck together or make him small meatballs.Lately he seems to like the stuck together scrambled up pieces. Thats the only way I can get him to eat Beef. And if he eats it once in a week he will be done with it for a lil while.

Also I give him either Nutripals as a snack or Parents choice pediatric nutriton drink for a more complete balanced diet. He loves them actually hes addicted to them has to have 1 a day : ) They are a little pricey but It helps me to not fret so much when he just absolutely will not eat.

Other meats he eats is popcorn chicken chicken strips bologna fried in a lil butter cut into 4 pieces or fried hotdogs or microwaved. I fry it sometimes when he gets sick of cold cuts... this gives it a whole diff. taste I like it fried too with mustard on bread. Just drain grease well in napkins afterwards.. so he can finger food it. Summer Sausage & crackers... Oh & he loves frozen peas run under water a little he loves the coldness of them. Stir-fry mixed frozen veggies he loves that just give him 1 of each on a palte when done let him pick the ones he likes...

Buddhig Corned beef rolled into rolls he thinks thats neat or I get a piece of bologna & roll it up & stick it on a fork & give it to him he likes that too.

but its meat. Also my son will not eat anythign mixed up has to be seperate or plain. He likes homeade french frieds sliced thin. Plain noodles or ramen noodles. He also loves mustard or turnip greens directly out of the can! Just make sure no sharp points around can,

Beef jerky Jacks links isnt so tough he loves it.

Good Luck!!

Answer 7

Many many many kids have similar issues, though usually it's the vegetables they won't touch, so at least your nephew is choosing wisely.

The best thing to do is keep offering it (and let him see others enjoying it) but not make a big issue over whether he eats it or not.  Odds are he will eat it eventually.  If his parents make a big battle over it, though, it's likely to entrench his insistence on not eating it.  In the meantime, they should just make sure he's getting sufficient protein, fat (which kids need more than adults), and iron from other sources.

Of course plenty of people end up vegetarian and if you choose the diet well it's not a problem and can even be very healthy.  

If he'll eat chicken nuggets, his parents could try baked chicken with breadcrumb coating, which looks similar, or fish sticks, which are also similar.  If you transition to other similar foods and not make a big deal about whether he eats it or not, eventually he'll find something he likes.

Answer 8

don't worry, my son was the exact same way. i don't know if it was a texture thing, or what his aversion was. but he finally did start eating meat (although not until he was almost 8) and he's a very healthy teen now.

Answer 9

he will eventually grow out of it my friends kid does the same thing only eats chicken nuggets get him off the junk food it is not good at his age and especially if he is not eatting certain things no sweets unless you eat. end of story let him cry its not like you are hurting him. Just keep up with what you are doing

Answer 10

If he doesn't want to eat meat she shouldn't try to force or trick him.  A nutritionist can recommend other foods to make sure he gets enough protein in his diet, his pediatrician can write up a referral, I'm sure.

Answer 11

Oh don't worry too much, all kids are fussy.  I only ate chicken and bacon when I was growing up, and the chicken had to be skinless breast with no bones, all white meat, no blood spots or anything. And the bacon had to be an eye piece, and I used to cut around the entire edge to get every ounce of fat off.  Not because I was worried about fat content as  a child, but because  I thought fat was gross, the look of it and the thought of it.  Which is how I felt about meat, I thought it looked gross, and smelt gross.  Chicken looks so clean and appetising but big hunks of sinewy fatty beef or lamb or whatever never looked good to me.

  Obviously the most important thing is too keep your nephew's iron and protein up by giving him spinach and nuts and things like lentils, and mushrooms.  You could try asking him why he doesnt like meat, what is it about meat that he thinks is gross.  Or making a vege casserole with really really tiny bits of meat cut up, like shredded or something.

Good luck

Answer 12

No there's nothing wrong!  Children are picky, it's about the only thing they have control over, so they are going to control it!  My daughter is very picky as well.  Will not for the life of her eat a veggie.  Just starting eating meat these last few months and now loves it!  She's 2 1/2.  All you have to do is continue to offer it... I know that gets old, but eventually they will give it a try.  As long as he is healthy, I wouldn't worry about it!  He can get protein from other foods, and some day he'll give in to meat!

Answer 13

I haven't eaten meat for many a year, and am perfectly healthy...just give him protein like cheese or whatever.

Answer 14

Hi

If he doesnt like it then he doesnt like it!

Does he know what meat is? maybe he feels sad for the animals?

He can get his protein from eggs, nuts etc

Answer 15

when i was young i was in the same position.  i never ate meat except chicken.  once i got a little older and started trying new foods i found that i started to like other foods.  its nothing to worry about i turned out fine