Picky Eaters - Rural Retreat,VA

B.,
trust me when I say you are not alone. I have three children 12, 3, 17 months. and they are all picky eaters. I have learned not to push them into eating, they will have their days when they are starving and want to eat everything then they;ll have their days when they are on a diet. Be patient. try giving them things they like.. Personally my children love oatmeal, so funny byt they will eat oatmeal breakfast. lunch and dinner. I do get some fruit in them and vegetables and I also give them those substitue milk shakes. every child is different but if your pediatrician didnt tell you that their iron is low or they are losing weight, then don't feel pressuered into thinking they have to eat 3 square healthy meals a day, otherwise you'll get tired. Also lead by example. my children will eat whatever I eat from my plate, but as soon as I put them in their chairs with the same food they won;t eat. I know its psychological, but hey if they;ll eat even from my plate then at least they are eating.

A lot of children are picky eaters during the toddler years, I found that most grow out of it. In the meantime it is important to make sure they are getting the recommended doses of vitamins and supplements

check out this site
www.cneeley.qhealthzone.com

it has vitamins, supplements, drinks and snacks just for children that are nutritious and all natural ingredients.

I second what both of the other posters said. My son used to eat everything I put in front of him when he was a toddler but not now. My husband is a picky eater as well. My son would eat a bologna sandwich every meal if I'd let him. In the last month or so what I have been doing is putting a vegetable on his plate that he normally doesn't eat. I put a spoonful and tell him that he "has" to eat at least two bites of it. He loooooves Ranch dressing so he gets to dip whatever it is it. He eats ranch dressing on lots of stuff - even if he doesn't really like it - the ranch dressing masks the actual taste but at least he is getting something good underneath it. Good luck!!

You might try this idea: Set a timer for 20 minutes. They have 20 minutes to finish their dinner. If they don't, put it in the fridge and give them a second chance an hour or so later. If they still don't eat, they have to wait until the next meal (no snacks). I read this in a book somewhere and it works ok. My son sometimes gets anxious about the timer and spends the 20 minutes begging me to stop the timer but it is woth a shot.

Another thing, our rule for trying new foods is that you have to try one bite (chew/swallow it). If you don't like it, I will make you something easy that you do like (like a PBJ or a turkey/cheese quessedia). Good luck.

my daughter isnt picky she just takes FOREVER to eat, soo with ours we keep reminding her to pick up her fork and start eating if she isnt activly eating fork in hand I remind her that if she stops eating/ drinking or her plate is going away, and she has until dinner time is over usually 45 mins - 1 hr to eat what she can/wants to. if her plate goes away and it still has food on it she gets no snacks until breakfast. Also try not giving them a drink with dinner, drinks always fill my daughter up if she drinks them before she eats. They wont starve.