Picky toddler meal ideas?

Question

My barley 2 year old lil boy, is so picky it is horrible. And no family member of mine can give me any ideas, the only think they say is, "he got it from you haha", well it aint funny to me, lol, he has been eating only oatmeal, pb&j sandwhiches, and bananas, this last week. Any help would be VERY helpfull.

Answer 1

Just give him what everyone else is eating at a given meal, only toddler portions. If he won't eat, that's ok. If he tries something tell him how proud you are of him... no special menu plans though because that just reinforces that he is in charge of meal time.

I assume that is how our three eat what is for dinner because we've basically never accomodated the picky eating. Sometimes at dinner one or all three would just look at their food, pick at it and then refuse to eat. Well, then they had to wait until the next meal and they were fine. Just try it and I bet you'll find that over time, he'll begin eating what is given to him. And it will take some time for him to adjust, but he won't starve!

Add: You may also need to eliminate snacks and juices or milk between meals so he is only getting maybe one small snack during the day. Honestly, they fill up on their snacks and miss the nutrition of a meal that way. On the days I've applied this our kids will eat their dinner-including vegies, no problem. And they are only 4, 2 1/2 and 16 months old. Don't think for a minute that just because he's small that it's ok for him to be picky. Picky eating is something we ALLOW, not just a given... it's up to us, and ultimately, we buy the food.

Answer 2

My mom always said if they are hungry they'll eat.  Try jello, cottage cheese, apple sauce.  Give him something new aside and he will eat if he is hungry.

Answer 3

I watch cooking shows all the time, and one was to get these parents to get their kids to eat different and new foods. The host said, to get them to try new foods with something you know they like. So for example, give him some PB&J and add something new, it encourages him to try things. BTW, Peanut butter and banana sandwiches ARE THE BEST :DDDD  

Answer 4

try setting up dinner with finger foods and dipping sauces make a game out of eating it you could also try reverse psycology on him that works well for my son just be sure you keep your voice to a playfull funny sounding that way he is not confused when you are truly scolding him it really dose help if you do it right also sit and tell him things like "dont you eat that carrot thats my carrot I want to eat it all up" keep it fun and funny you might get a good reaction out of that.

Answer 5

dr. told me as long has he is eating something and getting vitamins and nutrients in in body he would be ok. My son is picky also. He does enjoy thinking he is deciding his meals by him self so i give him a choice between 2 things. i also get him involved in preparing his meals. No worries they grow out of it. Dont rant and rave about him not completing his meal just make sure whatever you do decide to give him is healthy. and its seems to me your on the right path.  

Answer 6

I haven't tried this yet but someone told me not to make my son a plate but let him pick what he will eat off of my plate. It worked for her.

Answer 7

all kids go through this and drive us nuts!  It will pass but in the meantime if you are worried about his health, get vitamins and call them candy.  Make sure when you get jelly it is all fruit, NOT preservatives -  and the pb, make sure that the first ingredient is nuts (I always by skippy natural which is the cheapest)   and actually his diet is pretty decent besides the lack of veggies.  Try juicy juice harvest which contains carrot juice, its pretty yummy and tastes like normal juice.   The peanut butter is a great protein and good source of healthy oils his body needs.  The jelly is a fruit.  Oatmeal is a great healthy grain.  and bananas are great for potassium

He is in a stage so I really don't think he will be up for any other options.  Just make sure hes getting vitamins.   Pick your battles... let him win this one and save your breath for the wonderful terrible 2's tantrums.  Good luck!!  

Answer 8

Try ravioli's, spaghetti, grilled cheese bite size, chicken nuggets,and fish sticks those are usually show stoppers for boys

Also, salads for some reason little kids like salad w/ ranch dressing a lot like the ones from mcdonalds

Also, I think sometimes boys just don't really eat much and like consistent things 2 or 3 things~ my nephew and my ex's son didn't want to eat anything at that age except cookies and milk, rice, popcorn, fish sticks and salads forever so don't be too concerned because when he gets older he will eat you out of house and home.  

Answer 9

children need time to develop tastes.  just give him what he likes and on the side put a new food.  it may take 10 - 20 times of tasting before a taste is acquired.  don't make an issue of the new food, just tell him what it is.  

  

Answer 10

Normally kids just get into these weird moods were they find one type of food they like and just want that. I have the same thing with my son and myself. Just wait and he will move on to something else. If you are truly worried tell him that there are no more bananas or oatmeal and he has to eat something else. Good luck.