Once a Vegie Lover Now Won't Touch Any!

S.,
My two older kids went from veggie lovers, even choosing broccoli over fries!, to a near boycott of anything healthy. My youngest is still loving veggies, but I'm sure he'll follow suit. I just make them take a couple of bites of veggies at every meal. We have a rule that you try everything on your plate, even if it's something you didn't like last time you had it. I think if you continue with the vitamins and V8 he'll still get what he needs. You'll just need to continue to introduce new veggies (or variations of how you serve them) and hope he starts eating more. My children know the drill, so they don't fight me too much now.

I went through the exact same thing with my oldest 2. I continue to offer, and encourage them to try. I give them the ones they will eat with dip and other sauces. My oldest is 8 and in the last 2 years added lots of veggies back into his diet. We are still struggling with the 4 yo. I give them vitimins and I know that eventually it will get better. There must be some sort of taste bud change around 2 to 2.5.

Hi S.,
I have a an almost 3 year old (birthday next week!) and have gone through similar struggles...he was a great eater as a baby...would try everything and loved it...as the months have progressed he's been much choosier at meal time. Soup seemed to do the trick in my house or a little while...recently I can get him to eat raw veggies easier than cooked...he loves the crunch of baby carrots and they're small enough that he can carry around a small bowl and pick at them. I, too, give him vitamins so that I know he's getting a supplement. Over the past few weeks I started a new rule at the table..."try or no treats" and we really stick to our guns about it. I have found that the closer he's getting to 3 the more he can rationalize that concept. He has to take two or three bites and if that's all he'll do, then I am happy...if he tries nothing, then no reward! He's not much of a sweet eater, but he does have a few favorites so we use those as our "prize"...just a few thoughts to share...you're not alone!

My daughter loved the baby food veggies, then wouldn't touch them and still won't (almost 6 yrs old). My son, used to eat EVERYTHING! The greener the better. Now he has issues with brocolli and cauliflower, but ironically still loves tomatoes and cucumbers. They all go through phases. My daughter, the only vegetables she eats are green beans and french fries. She would live on Mac n cheese if we let her. Don't sweat it. I think it will balance out. Just keep reintroducing the foods, because their taste buds are constantly changing. I didnt' like vegetables until I was 14, and I'm quite healthy at 35.... Just keep feeding them. They'll eat what they like regardless.

Hello S.,

My name is M. and I also have a picky eater 2 1/2 year old son.
It happened to me too.
You are not alone in this one.
Try to hide the veggies in his favorite foods.
PUREE is the key word.
Steam the veggies and then put them on the blender or food processor and place them on sip lock bags and freeze them. You can add the veggies to the sauce on a pizza, to chicken nuggets, grilled cheese etc.
if you want more info please don't hesitate to contact me.

Now we eat in peace and we know he is getting all his veggies.

Good Luck,
M.

My 3.5 year old is the same way. This is so common. If he drinks V8 that is a wonderful way to go!! My son loves V8, so we use that too. I do try and get the low sodium because it does have a LOT of sodium in it. If you are really worried their is a book called How to Get Your Child to Eat, but Not Too Much. Good book, but you are probably doing all the things it suggests. Just keep offering. My son loves raw carrots too, so we eat a lot of those and he started at about your son's age.