My 2yr. old wont eat nothing. All he wants to do is drink and eat homemade popcorn lately. I'm going crazy!

Question

When he was younger he loved veggies, meats and desserts. Now he wont even consider veggies unless there fries and no meat what so ever. His favorites are cheese pizza, mac & cheese , popcorn and a whole lot to drink. I prepare his plates along with the rest of the family. I put lots of colors on his plate and it goes untouched. He goes off into this rage and starts throwing food. To keep him from going hungry my husband and I give him the junk and then he's happy. How can I get him to eat healthy again. Need help!

Answer 1

You're quickly getting into a bad cycle that will become entrenched unless you do something soon.  It may be really rough for awhile, but power through. He throws a major tantrum and you give him the 'good stuff' he wants. So he continues to throw that tantrum and continues to get what he wants. You have to simply ignore the tantrums and be prepared to put up with it for as long as it takes for him to understand that this tactic won't work anymore. Be quiet but firm about it. Don't worry, he won't be scarred for life; on the contrary, you will be doing him a favor by showing him that you  are the parent in control, which is what kids need to thrive. In fact, this issue is probably more about that than really a food issue. He needs the security of knowing you are the parent here. Give him some control by putting a few choices in front of him and tell him he can decide what he wants. If he says no and throws the rage, just ignore it. He'll come around after awhile and realize that you aren't the pushover anymore. And remember, kids won't starve themselves. He will be hungry enough eventually that he will take one of the choices you put in front of him. I have always agreed with the school of thought that you give a child healthy choices and let them decide what and how much they want. Best of luck!!

Answer 2

don't give him junk! you have to get to eye level with him, and explain that he WON'T take any popcorn or any junk, before he eats at least half of what is on his plate. it will be hard, and he will throw tantrums, but you have to remain calm and stick to it. he won't die if he refuses to eat anything for a day, even two! but it will teach him a lesson for life. popcorn is making him thirsty, that's why he's drinking all the time. also, when they're sick they goes 1 or 2 days without eating, just water, so don't be afraid that he'll starve. he won't!

one more thing, cheese pizza and mac & cheese are kids favourites. mine likes chicken nuggets and he'd have them anyday - but he also like meat and other food. he doesn't like veggies -except carrots!

Answer 3

You've started down a dangerous path by giving in to his tantrums and giving him the junk food he wants.  Don't teach your child that you will negotiate with him to avoid his tantrums.  Skipping a meal won't mean that he will starve.  Will he be hungry?  Yes.  Is that a bad thing?  No.  Skipping one meal will not cause him injury.

We have a veggie problem in our family as well.  I do hide veggies in their spaghetti sauce or meatloaf, but it's a big pain.  When I do have veggies, they have to at least try the new ones, finish the ones I know they like.  I only give them about 1 or 2 tablespoons of the veggie.  They can choke that down if they want to.  

The rule in our house is you don't get a dessert unless you finish your meal.  That can be the same rule for your son.  Make his junk food his dessert.  If he doesn't finish the meal you put before him, he doesn't get his food.  It will be hard and there will be a lot of crying and whining, but you have to stick with it.  I always tell moms that you have to be willing to "win".  You have to be willing to take the two hours of crying, knowing that in a few days (hopefully) the bad behavior will stop.

Stick with it and good luck.

Answer 4

Stop giving him junk, Just serve him up healthy food if he goes in a rage then clean it up, and offer him a piece of fruit or something

He wont starve himself, he WILL eat whatever is there when he is hungry enough.

If you dont give him the junk food there is no other way he can get it.

Answer 5

Jerry Seinfeld's wife wrote a book about how to hide or mask veggies into foods that children prefer.

There's a recipe to hide squash in peanut butter cookies! Its really amazing what she figured out.

There are a few pizza and macaroni recipes in it that might suit you.

Try booksamillion.com and see if they have it.

Its a fabulous little book, Oprah had her on her show.

good luck!

Answer 6

Hi, to your question, my daughter was the same way around twoish, but you are the parent not your lil one, so what you should do is make him breakfast lunch or dinner and if he does not want to eat, please ignore him, but make sure that you leave his plate on the table and he will eat it, trust me, he is going to cry, kick, yell, etc.. but dont give in, you have to maintain discipline, if you give in he will have mixed emotions and he will always get his way, so try it, oh and by the way if you give him some vitamins after breakfast, he is going to get a lil bit more hungry and maybe he would change a little..

Answer 7

try this recipe

4 BEAN BAKE  

2 lbs. bulk pork sausage

1 (1 lb.) can green lima beans, drained

1 (9 oz.) can New England style baked beans

1 (8 1/2 oz.) can crushed pineapple, undrained

1/2 c. minced onion

1/2 c. molasses

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 (1 lb.) can kidney beans, drained

1 (1 lb.) can pork and beans, drained

1 med. apple, shredded

1/2 c. catsup

1 c. grated cheddar cheese (optional)

Brown sausage in skillet; drain. Place sausage in greased 3 quart casserole or shallow 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Add beans, pineapple, onion, apple, molasses, catsup and lemon juice. Toss to mix all ingredients. Cover and bake at 300 degrees for 2 hours. Remove cover; sprinkle with cheese. Bake about 30 minutes longer until cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Answer 8

It might be hard to do but quit giving him the junk food. He will not starve himself. He will eat what you offer him when he's hungry enough. Drinking lots is okay as long as it's water or milk, not too much juice and no Kool-Aid or soda. Good luck.

edit--I was going to mention that I do think it's normal for kids to go through periods of eating very, very little and a lot. I know I've seen this with my son. Just when I think he's going to waste away, his appetite picks up again. They're really good at regulating their own food intake (as far as how much they need). They go through growth spurts when they need lots, then they go through lulls where they eat like birds.

And, honestly I don't think cheese pizza, mac n cheese, and popcorn are absolutely terrible. They're not things that are loaded with sugar. But, it would be good to have more variety in his diet, and fruits and vegetables.

Answer 9

have you tried them on pedilite  or high cal drinks like ensure   or ensure plus,,  as they will offer the same nutritional value and vitamins.   till you can reverse the lack of solid foods .    try making it fun to eat, make it more like a game to them, and they will be more willing to eat if they think its fun.    

Answer 10

you just have to let him go hungry for one night. if he wants to have a strop and throw his food, fine. but nothing else! i know that sounds mean and cruel... but he is'nt going to waste away from one night of hunger. try to get everyone on the table eating the same dinner (which it sound like you do already)  as this may encourage him.  

Answer 11

I like to ask what's wrong with home made popcorn? I mean if you don't put any salt, butter, or anything bad with the popcorn it's actually very nutritious. Also look for recipes where you can fool him into thinking it's junk food, their taste buds are still forming.