2 1/2 Year Picky Eater

Hey M., I have a 3 year old neice and she is also a picky eater. Just keep on tyring to offer her other foods. I think it is just a stage she is in, but she will eventually grow out of it. :)

my dr told me about my son, " if he gets hungry hell eat so just put it down in front of him and in time hell eat it" dont dwell on watching him/her just go about your business and ignore the eating habbits and just do normal stuff, kinda turn your back so she doesnt see your face when she tries the other food. if she knocks the food away, just keep it for later, let her know your not giving in. even if it takes about 2-3 days.

Hi M.,
Don't worry too much about your daughter being a picky eater. Most kids go through this stage. When my son was in that stage, I made sure he took a chewable vitamin everyday and I would introduce new foods by having him just eat one teaspoon of the new food. He eventually grew out of it and now he will try anything( even things I won't try!)Preschool helped a lot as well.Good luck!

you can always supplement her diet with Carnation Instant breakfast or Pediasure and a multi vitamin. My daughter loves string cheese- but when it comes to meal time she is served the same as everyone else and she only gets her string cheese if she at least takes one bite of the dinner on her plate. I actually make it a counting game and she ususally ends up eating a lot more than just one bite. hope that helps....

Hey M.. My Daughter will be 2 next month and all she wants to eat is sweets. She will eat fruit but other that that it has to be sweets. cookies peanut butter& jelly. I hope she out grows this as well. I know how ya feel

Just be patient and consistant. Sometimes you have to introduce new foods 10 or 15 times before they decide they like it. I encourage a one bite rule. If my daughter (who's 2 1/2) doesn't like it after that, she doesn't have to eat anymore... until the next time it's served. Then she has to try one bite again. I always tell her how happy I am that she tried a bite, even if she doesn't like it. Next tip, take the kiddie junk food you don't want her to eat out of the house. If it's not there, you can't feed it to her and you can honestly tell her, "We don't have any. Pick something else that we have."

Here are websites I like for recipe ideas:

www.funwith5aday.org
www.annabelkarmel.com

Make meals fun and let your daughters help in the kitchen. Let them pick out new fruits and veggies at the store. Get them involved and you'll see a difference. :-)

my daughter's 21 months and a VERY PICKY EATER! I was worried because she is only 24 pounds fully clothed w/ shoes on and a wet diaper! My doc said to just give her what she'll eat and time will take care of the rest, just as long as she's eating and her activity level is still up.

It's a phase. My son wont eat meat...took him a long time. He would have rather ate a plate full of carrots then eat some meat. It takes a while (he is still kinda like that) It will pass. If it worries you that much then you should talk to your pediatrician. (peanut butter is a great source of protein)

If it were my daughter, I would make the mac n cheese and grilled cheese (that is protein, carbs and dairy), but also sneak in a "special drink" in a pretty cup with a lid and cool straw...something like a smoothie made with banana, strawberry, yogurt and o.j....to make sure she is injesting fruit and fiber as well. I would also make sure she is getting her vitamins (the gummy kids ones are good) and ask her to try one new thing every day (whatever you are making for dinner) to go along with her mac n cheese, etc. Just a couple of bites of something new will introduce her to new foods, and her tastes will gradually change to a more diverse palate!

As long as she is eating something I would say grilled cheese is better then nothing. But I would try new things like bannanas, strawberries in cool whip, peaches. My son is almost three and is still going through that phase and I try veggies and fruit that is some what got a sweet taste or something to dip it into. I would not try to put her on a different diet just try different things I am sure it will pass cause my son does eat a little better. Good luck

Hello There,
I totally understand my son is that way too. Something we tried may work for you. You said she likes Mac & Cheese. Obviously you want your kids to get proper nutrients, right? Kids are smart so you'll have to be careful so she doesn't pick up on what you're doing. Say you have a fork, put a piece of chicken or whatever on the fork then put the mac and Cheese on after. Make sure she sees the mac and cheese...otherwise she will catch on sooner. Start slow at first, get her used to the "taste". Also, try with meats primarly, but get honey mustard sauce or ketchup, ranch, things like that, my son loves it!!! Now he'll he anything! I hope this helps you! Good Luck! E.

I had a picky eater and she's now 9 yrs. She's still picky but overall she eats nutritionally. Try not to make it a big issue because children pick up so easy on things like that! Good luck!

My daughter is 4,she has always been a picky eater.She will not eat meat or mac n chesses and many other things.What we have done is just made sure we have everything that she likes,and from time to time as we eat she likes to try what we have.So by doing that she has tried new foods,and even though she may like it on our plate that dosent mean she has liked it on hers.Since she has gotton older she will only eat chicken now and pork chops (she thinks its chiken)its just a matter of patience and helping her to try new things.Don't push it on her because it will keep her from ever wanting it in the future.My daughter is healty and doing well, so dont worry about yr daughter to much like my mom and the doctors have told me,when there hungry they will eat.But just make sure she is getting plenty of fluids.

Let them eat what they'll eat. Don't stop trying to give her other things,, but if she wants mac & cheese let her have it. When my brother was that age,, all he wanted was cereal,, my mom asked her Dr. they told if that's what he wants,, let him have. That's my 2 cents,,,,,,,,

This is just usually something that kids go through. my niece will only eat french fries and top ramen noodles. Try to encourage other little things like fruit and veggies. Don't try to change her diet completely. Its just a phase and most kids go through it.