My DD is three and a half years old and does not like meat. She loves fruit and veggies, though, so we have never worried too much about her diet. We offer a portion of meat at every meal just to see if she'll take it, don't fuss with her if she doesn't, and offer lots of non-meat protein sources such as peanut butter, soybeans, milk and cheese. However, lately she has been turning down all the non-meat sources. I worry that she is not getting enough protein to keep up with recent growth spurt; she is looking much leaner although eating the same amount of fruits and veggies, pasta and breads. She loves Pediasure and I was thinking of adding a small amount of protein powder to her Pediasure at times like this, when she just won't eat any protein, but I wonder if I need to or if it will cause more harm than good. I don't want to needlessly bulk her up, but I also don't want her to lag behind in muscle development. She was in the 77th percentile for weight at her 3 yr doc appt in July, but the doctor didn't address how that weight was distributed, really. Anyone with a nutrition background have any advice? Am I worrying over nothing? Thanks!
Thanks for all the responses! I decided I was probably making a big deal about nothing. Yes, DD is looking much leaner these days, but she is also much taller. And, like a friend reminded me, she's at that age where she is bound to lose that baby-ish look anyway. I'm going to lay off putting meat out at each meal because, honestly, it was a pain. My husband and I don't eat a lot of meat, so I'm usually just cooking it for her. If I'm making some, I'll give her some. My main concern was her muscle development and not getting enough protein to promote that; my nephew suffered from poor digestion of proteins that went unnoticed for so long, his muscle development never recovered and he is a walking skeleton in his 20s. But as many of you pointed out, she can get protein from so many other sources. I will, however, make sure she drinks a Pediasure a day when she goes on these picky eating binges--but that won't be hard since she loves them anyway. Thanks again!
It's a good idea and I have read that whey protien is a very good additive in a diet. I gave my sister some as her DD doesn't eat any protien, but I had it on hand because in doing research i read such good things about it.
Hi S.- Contrary to what most Americans think, eating a plant based diet is actually more healthy than eating meat at every meal. Unless your buying organic, free range meat and animal products then the meat your offering your daughter "at every meal" is full of antibiotics, synthetic hormones and comes from animals raised in "factory" like conditions. These animals live their lives in such unnatural environments that in order to keep them alive long enough they are injected with antibiotics and hormones. Of course these end up in our bodies. It is absolutely healthy to skip the meat and have your daughter get her protein from a plant based diet. As someone else pointed out whole grains are a great source of protein. What's wrong with taking your daughters lead and serving less meat to the entire family?
Hi S.
There is a runner named Tim VanOrden who is a vegetarian and raw foodist. people ask him ALL the time, where do you get your protein and seem so worried about it. Go to his site, runningraw.com and he has a little video clip on there explaining where he gets his protein and why meat is NOT necessary. In addition, he has other short informational clips and links. It's worth a read and you will see, many people out there living and living well without meat.
I don't advocate either way, but it's good to be educated on both sides of the spectrum.
best of luck to you
Hi,
The shakes with Isagenix are very safe for kids.
check out www.cindyflesher.isagenix.com.
I can send you a sample too.
I think that kids eat what they need. It's good that you are offering a range of foods but I would not worry about this. I do think milk is great and it's a good source of protein as is yogurt (GoGurts are popular), cheese, etc. But protein powder is overkill. You are over-thinking this.
Greetings S.,
As the mother of 5 and having raised everal other children, I want to reassure you that your little one will be just fine.
Does the child eat peanut butter? You can get several different types and that gives lots of protein. Children will go through many food styles and changes and if your little one eats fruit and veggies then you are doing well- that is exactly what most children don't eat.
Enjoy parenthood, it is the greatest thing you will ever do.
Nana Glenda
I just read your follow up, and think it's great you're not worrying too much now.
However, if you can manage the switcharoo, I would highly recommend an actual 2 oz serving of soft silken tofu added to fresh or frozen fruit smoothies with soy milk, and skipping the pediasure. It has tons of sugars (mostly fructose and sucrose, but there's some corn maltodextrin in it too.) In addition, it's got synthetic vitamin e, which I definitely wouldn't give my kid (I also switched to the fancier natural vitamins myself because it's supposed to be detrimental to capillaries.)
My daughter does not like meat either, but will eat some chicken. She also really likes the soy versions of burgers (some good ones are boca burgers and chicken patties, quorn filets, etc.) And we make a lot of veggie chili, lentil stew, hearty pasta (I buy the barilla plus pasta products, which are made with chickpea and flax)
Your kid sounds nice and healthy!! :o)
If her peditrician hasn't seen any problems with her protein levels, I wouldn't worry about it. If they see a problem, I'm sure they'll have advice for how you may handle it. Kids tend to have their favorite foods, and usually they are the best judges of what they need (with the exception that they would eat sweets all the time if allowed to do so!).
We have one grandchild who would eat nothing but bread if he could get by with it. We give him his meat and veggies first, (and frankly, to avoid a conflict at the table we have to wait for our own bread because if he sees it he sets up a fuss). Once he's eaten a serving of meat and veggies, he gets his bread. He also is not a big meat eater, but so we tend to give him smaller portions for a first serving and allow him to ask for more if he wants it. Beans at each meal will also help the protein levels. Beans and rice served together are considered a perfect protien... I believe I've read that combination is even better than eating meat. There are a lot of people in the world who, either through choice or through necessity, never eat meat at all and yet get along just fine, so don't worry about your daughter not liking meat.
I do not have training in nutrition but I have a child with celiac disease and failure to thrive so we have regularly seen nutrionists and I have read just about everything I can get my hands on about young children and weight. There are two points I want to make. One is there are protiens in grains, especially whole grains such as whole wheat, brown rice, quinoa, millet and teff. If you want to get creative you can add bean flours to your diet which obviously are higher in protien. Vegetables and fruits have some protein. Also my daughter has been on Pediasure (she is now on a higher calorie formula). Pediasure is designed that it can be your child's only source of food. So if she is getting even a bottle or two of it along with other foods she is probably just fine. Another source of protein in seeds and not just pumpkin and sunflower but sesame seeds, caraway seeds, etc... These would be easier to add to foods if you wish. If you add protein powder I would talk to a doctor, natropath or nutrionist first and don't use one that they make money off selling.
