Seeking Advice for Picky Toddler

Hello L.,

If you read a book called THE CHINA STUDY ( a clinical study done over 40 years) you will find out that humans are better off with less animal protein. They get less diseases, less illness etc. Most cancers are related to the consumption of animal protein, most allergies are related to the consumption of dairy.

I work with over 40 health professionals including 15 MDs. We all agree....less meat, less dairy is healthier.

What veggies have you tried? Try everything!! Instead of giving her baby food, have you tried just mashing it a little with a fork to see if that's enough of a mushy texture for her?
My daughter doesn't eat any meat either, but that is our choice because I am a vegetarian. She gets a lot of protein though through eggs, beans, and tofu.
Does your daughter show any interest in what you're eating at all? Will she eat off your fork?

My daughter is 18 mos and doesnt like most meats either. She will eat fish though and if your daughter like mashed veggies.... instead of giving her baby food veggies.... do you have a grinder that you can simply grind up the veggies you cook .... so that she gets an idea for the texture - even if its not whole and the flavor .... little different than baby food. Also my daughter prefers turkey over regular hamburger and will eat lunch meats... diced up.

Hope this helps.

I had the same problem with my oldest son. He slowly started eating meat. Try ground beef in sauce over pasta. The ground beef is small and she will have a hard time picking it out. Good luck

You may want to try "sneaking" veggies/meat into her foods to be sure that she is getting what you think she may be missing. The "Deceptively Delicious" cookbook gives some great ideas but basically all you have to do is puree meat &/or veggeis & add them to what she does like, still putting the real thing on her plate but not making a big deal out of eating it...you know she's getting what she needs and she's still seeing what she should be eating on her plate. I love this cookbook, it helps me get creative and doesn't make me feel as guilty when I make mac n chz for dinner.

Good Luck!

Try offering Ranch dressing with the veggies. Cooked broc and carrots taste good with ranch.

Have you considered that she may have some sensory issues related to certain foods? A lot of kids who are sensitive to texture don't like meat and want everything mushy. They can be helped with oral motor programs. There are places that do evaluations and help kids with these issues if you are interested, like OTA in Watertown and Wakefield, or Project CHILLD in Beverly.

Hey L.,
Honestly, her pickiness about meat could turn into a good thing. I am a vegan, and typically, the vegan diet, and those who eat this way, are some of the healthiest people. I have never felt better since I started eating this way. I typically eat beans, tofu/veggie/noodle stir fries, soy milk, kashi or other cereal with protein. There are so many other sources and meat is definitely not the best of them. If she does eat meat, try to buy the organic, hormone free. It's more expensive, but there is so much research about the negative effects of hormones on developing kids. Don't worry and good luck.

I was a vegetarian for 10 years - the last 11/2 years was my daughters
first, so when we did introduce meat into our diet - she completely rejected it. Some staples in our/her diet is scrambled egg (with a little spinach and feta actually, but cheese in general is good and you can sneak in finely minced veggies), cottage cheese is one of the highest protein foods you can eat(more then meat)-mixed with berries (fresh or frozen/thawed)was an instant success. Beans are wonderful and can be prepared/mashed and mixed into just about anything. And Tofu can also be prepared many ways (even turned into ice cream! - Really!)A book called "How it all vegan!" has wonderful ways to prepare it, along with kid friendly recipes. You can offer soy milk instead of milk(or mix them)It's a little sweet, so must kids love it. My daughter has had many meals that were crackers, hummus, some cheese and a few of her favorite veggies like cukes and grape tomato's. She enjoyed making her own "sandwiches" and dipping in the hummus.
Then you can make things like pancakes with some wheat germ and/or ground flaxseed mixed in, or do the same with smoothies. (We add those or protein powder, my daughter gets to help - which she loves - and it's like drinking a milk shake, so enjoyed by all.
These are just quick thoughts off the top of my head. Try not to accommodate meals for her, but create a more versatile meal plan for your whole family. These are easy to prepare foods and just a few thoughts.

Another thought is that my daughter often decides she doesn't like something without trying it, or when I know she's had it in the past and enjoyed it. We are firm that she will not have a special meal made for her. If she tries something new and doesn't like it - we improvise and I'm mindful of kid friendly meals vs. grown-up taste/spice - often serving portions before adding the final spices and such. The first few times were rough - filled with tantrums, but after just a few times she understood that that was how it is and just in these past few months, I have a kid who used to be picky - who is now a pretty well-rounded eater.

Hope this helps.
good luck.

My 19 mo old doesn't eat a lot of meat either. He loves Edamame (soybeans) though. THey are very easy to make. They come in a frozen veggy bag and you boil them just enough to heat them up. For some reason kiddos love them. I really like them too. Also, try eggs, cottage cheese or other meat alternatives that are easy.

Good luck,

L.

Hi L.,
Just a thought. Your little one may just have a small esophoglas (sp) and has trouble getting 'chunks' down. My big brother had that issue when he was little (now in his 60's, so I guess he survived!). Anyway, nothing like bananas, peanut butter, eggs and mushy stuff. She'll be fine.
L. Bavota

I am a vegetarian and I was the same way when I was young. I just never wanted meat. In the middle of my life ( up till now) I did eat meat. Mostly when I met my husband because that's what he cooked for me. Even though I told him I didn't like it. But he was determined to change me.. Well I eventually changed him. Ha But I know that your daughter if she likes cheese and yogurt is fine. I have a 3 year old who I never gave meat to until she was 2. She actually wanted to try it on her own. And she loves turkey. I don't think you need to force. If she likes it she'll come around. In the mean time just give her the yogurt and cheese. And I don't know what veggies she likes but spinach is a good source of protein. Also we really only need to eat meat once or twice a week to get our protein. I don't think you need to worry..

Just make a meal for the family and give her the things she likes. And eventually she will come around. Our taste buds are also different when we are little. Thing taste sometimes bitter to young children. Or they just don't taste what we taste. So give her some time..

hope this helped.

Hi L., Everyone may not agree with this advice, but sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do. I think your daughter is old enough to learn that you eat what's for dinner. I have a 3, 2, and 1 year old with another on the way, so I don't usually have time to prepare something special for someone picky. What we usually do is give everyone very small portions of everything on their plate. If someone wants more of something, they have to eat everything on their plate. Sometimes they refuse, and that's fine, they just don't get much dinner. A few days of being hungry and they're not so picky!! And really, they won't be malnourished from a few days of eating less. This technique has gotten some very picky vegetable eaters to try lots of veggies, actually like some, and at least tolerate others. I hope this is helpful!