Feed him vegetables you say...but he won't eat that either.
He will eat grilled cheese and PB&J...no pasta or hot dogs or ravioli. He is even refusing our go to soups now. If you have any ideas, please let us know!
Hey Aim! Ok so I know I don't have kids...but having heard parents at WIC go through the same thing time and time again, I might have a few tricks for you to try. First of all, will he eat chicken nuggets? I know those aren't the healthiest things in the world, but if you are worried about protein, they could be a start. Try the natural chicken ones. Also, since he likes grilled cheese, maybe try slipping in a thin slice of ham or turkey in the sandwich. Just make sure you find lunchmean that's nitrate free. I think boar's head has alot of nitrate free options, as well as Hormel natural and applegate farms organic. You could also make chicken salad and see if having the mayo or miracle whip mixed in might change his mind about the meat flavor or texture. Usually if it's not the flavor of the meat that he doesn't like, it's probably the texture. Have you tried beans yet? They are a great alternative to meat, as you know, so you could try squishing them up a little (just to avoid the choking hazzard) and mix them in some kind of sauce since kids love sauces and dipping things! Or at least alot of them do. You could also try mixing the squished beans in mashed potatoes. As for veggies, maybe try making a zucchini bread, squish peas into mashed potatoes, make pasta sauce and grate veggies in it and serve it over rice instead of pasta if he won't eat pasta. If you haven't already, try covering veggies in cheese. I know that also sounds unhealthy, but at least he's getting the veggies! You can slowly wean him off the cheese part as he grows out of his anti-veggie stage (God-willing). Oh, and maybe try a fish stick. It's not shellfish and he's over the age of 1 so it should be ok. Just make sure you find natural, real fish ones. Check the fresh market for that kind of stuff. And if he's ever tried a smoothie with his favorite fruits, try sneaking in a carrot into his smoothie. Hopefully he won't be able to tell the difference. Will he eat pizza? If you make homemade pizza, you could make your own sauce, or just add grated veggies to the sauce for more veggie nutrients. Of course, these are all ideas to help get him though this stage. Eventually you will get him to eat the real stuff. Can't eat mushed up, grated up stuff forever, right!? Just remember positive reinforcement and not to force anything. As in anything else, the more you force, the more frustrated he'll get and less likely to eat anything you want him too. I hope this helps a little. And I miss you guys! Kiss monkey butt for us! And p.s- you guys are wonderful parents...this too shall pass!! :) Love you!
We had tried all of those tricks, but thanks for posting them. Our goal was just to keep giving it to him and try to get him to eat. It finally worked! Now we're just going to keep working on the green vegetables and more meat. Love you too! Miss you guys!
Hey Aim! Ok so I know I don't have kids...but having heard parents at WIC go through the same thing time and time again, I might have a few tricks for you to try. First of all, will he eat chicken nuggets? I know those aren't the healthiest things in the world, but if you are worried about protein, they could be a start. Try the natural chicken ones. Also, since he likes grilled cheese, maybe try slipping in a thin slice of ham or turkey in the sandwich. Just make sure you find lunchmean that's nitrate free. I think boar's head has alot of nitrate free options, as well as Hormel natural and applegate farms organic. You could also make chicken salad and see if having the mayo or miracle whip mixed in might change his mind about the meat flavor or texture. Usually if it's not the flavor of the meat that he doesn't like, it's probably the texture. Have you tried beans yet? They are a great alternative to meat, as you know, so you could try squishing them up a little (just to avoid the choking hazzard) and mix them in some kind of sauce since kids love sauces and dipping things! Or at least alot of them do. You could also try mixing the squished beans in mashed potatoes. As for veggies, maybe try making a zucchini bread, squish peas into mashed potatoes, make pasta sauce and grate veggies in it and serve it over rice instead of pasta if he won't eat pasta. If you haven't already, try covering veggies in cheese. I know that also sounds unhealthy, but at least he's getting the veggies! You can slowly wean him off the cheese part as he grows out of his anti-veggie stage (God-willing). Oh, and maybe try a fish stick. It's not shellfish and he's over the age of 1 so it should be ok. Just make sure you find natural, real fish ones. Check the fresh market for that kind of stuff. And if he's ever tried a smoothie with his favorite fruits, try sneaking in a carrot into his smoothie. Hopefully he won't be able to tell the difference. Will he eat pizza? If you make homemade pizza, you could make your own sauce, or just add grated veggies to the sauce for more veggie nutrients. Of course, these are all ideas to help get him though this stage. Eventually you will get him to eat the real stuff. Can't eat mushed up, grated up stuff forever, right!? Just remember positive reinforcement and not to force anything. As in anything else, the more you force, the more frustrated he'll get and less likely to eat anything you want him too. I hope this helps a little. And I miss you guys! Kiss monkey butt for us! And p.s- you guys are wonderful parents...this too shall pass!! :) Love you!
ReplyDeleteWe had tried all of those tricks, but thanks for posting them. Our goal was just to keep giving it to him and try to get him to eat. It finally worked! Now we're just going to keep working on the green vegetables and more meat. Love you too! Miss you guys!
ReplyDelete