Toddler Picky Toddler

the same thing with my 2 year old! One thing i have learned is to compensate with other things they like such as PBJ, chicken nuggets, yogurt, and definately use a multi vitamin . They are at an age where their appetites are going to fluctuate a bunch but it is ok! If they don't eat anything in a sitting just try again later. Try substituting with something they like but that is healthy.
One other thing- dont get him full on snack foods before a meal because then you know he definitly wont eat! Im not saying starve your kid before meals but if you do offer a snack it needs to be a small portion so they are hungry for dinner or lunch when the time comes.

I know the feeling...we have a 4 and 2 year old ( thier almost 5 and 3) that only like certin foods. I asked both the Pedi doctor and 2 yr olds Developmental doctor thier answer was thats ok...add vitamins ( they come in chewables and kinds of stuff these days) also cheerios is a great sour of vitamins and a good carb. Developmental doctor explain her son also did not like veggies when young so she gave him protien with a side of cheerios instead. Also whole milk also has the good fats children need for good brain stem and brain growth. Keep trying and eventually maybe you will get somwhere...also not liking though adding Ranch or ketchuo often gets kids to eat stuff...maybe not so bad yours does not like it...ketchup is almost all sugar and ranch is just adding calories....Please let me know if you come u with anything else cause this is an issue we deal with a lot at home, because I have to cook twice once for grown ups and second for the kids...people think my kids are spoiled because they do not eat what we do but its also mean for them not to eat.

I'm in the same boat!! I have a son who will be 2 in September and he eats less than your son. It is very hard isn't it? It has nothing to do with you and not giving him the right foods. I've read many things that say that this is very normal at this age and it will probably subside around 3 years old. That seems like an eternity, but it's something to look foward too. That is soooo good that he will eat those things that you listed. My son basically lives on oatmeal and pb&j sandwiches. he won't eat fruit unless it's a smoothie (you might try that). he really likes to drink out of fun straws and cups. He won't eat ANY veggies unless they are very blended in a soup where he can't feel any texture from the veggies. That is wonderful that you have your son on a vitamin. Don't stress out and make meal times a war zone. Keep trying to give him new things at dinner time and if not, just keep on going with what he'll eat. Just keep up the good work. This phase will pass soon. Good luck!!

He eats PB&J, right?

Get whole wheat bread, natural peanut butter that contains only ground peanuts (NOTHING ELSE), and jelly that contains fruit, fruit pectin, and lemon juice, but no sugar, artificial sweeteners, or "natural flavors". Then his PB&J becomes a *much* healthier meal, and he's eating fruit.

Also, give him juice that is 100% fruit juice and contains NOTHING ELSE. This actually counts as a serving of fruit. Be sure to offer milk and water as alternatives, but there is NO reason to give a toddler cokes.

The final thing that you can do is stock your pantry with interesting fruits and vegetables, and let him see you eat them and enjoy them. You may even get "caught sneaking" them...act as if they are a rare treat. When he wants to try them, give him only a tiny sliver - but if he asks for more, give him a slightly larger piece, and a larger one after that.

Good Luck!

You can try to mix veggies in his other food. Like in his sandwich put veggies in there. You can try to talk to WIC, even if you don't recieve their checks everyone qualifies for the nutricial classes and counseling they offer. You don't even need to apply for that part of it. They might have some good ideas for what and how to get your little one to eat healthier. Also try switching out his nuggets and fries for things in the vegetrrian section. They are loaded with good stuff and maybe he will eat them.

http://www.thesneakychef.com/

Several of her tricks have worked for me. Mine is 4, and still picky as ever.

S.

The best thing that I know of to do is (if there are any around)let him eat with other kids. Two of my kids used to be extremely picky until they started eating at school. When they saw the other kids eat various foods they were more willing to try them. Also, you might let him help prepare his meals. Most of the time when my kids "hate" a certain food they are the first to taste it to make sure it tastes right and then they realize they like it. LOL! Good Luck!

Answer 1) he won't grow out of it as long as it is allowed
2)don't offer these things as choices and he'll have no option but to begin to eat correctly - he won't starve, he is too young to fight you too long on this one. dipping sauces aren't the answer either. just offer a variety of fresh fruits and steamed veggies along with lean, healthily prepared meat choices (ie. baked chicken, turkey bacon and so on). PB & J is not bad, especially if offered on whole grain bread with "no sugar added" or "less sugar" jelly, perhaps even natural peanut butter. some snacks that are big hits around here are: yo baby yogurt (they have fruit and cereals in them), graham crackers with cream cheese, lowfat cheese sticks with wheat thins, rice cakes, granola bars, wheat pretels, yogurt covered pretzels, applesauce, cottage cheese with fruit (not canned in syrup, but canned in juice or fresh). for his health, i would really recommend cutting back on the amount of pre-processed foods and microwave use. good luck!

My suggestion is to not offer him any unhealthy foods until he is used to eating fruits and veggies. Just give him fruits and veggies for a while. He will get hungry enough to eat them. If he throws a fit, send him to bed. I always feed my kids the heatlthiest of foods so they don't get stuck on fast food and junk. It has worked. Every now and then, ofcourse, they get junk food. I'm not a health nut, but I want them to make good choices in the future. Too many people are overweight and unhealthy these days. Good luck, I hope everything works out for you and him!

Be careful! My son eats this same way and has just gotten through a really bad bought of constipation. Try very hard to get him to eat things with fiber. Since he is not eating fresh fruit, you will have to go to things like whole wheat waffles, hot dog buns and bread for the grilled cheese. Be careful about how much milk and cheese and bananas you give him because those can bind him up and cause serious problems. I didn't think my son had problems and was having regular bowel movements until one day he just stopped. The dr told me there was a blockage that had been building up over a long time. Raisins and peanut butter have fiber too, so try those and prunes and also a good dose of pear juice (which he should like) will keep him on track. I make my kids have what I call "try it bites" everything I make for them, they have to try at least a bite. The other thing that works for my 2 year-old is reverse psychology (he will always win a confrontational battle of wits, it is amazing how he can keep that trap shut). I make something and then I sit down next to him. I offer him a bite and he turns his head and clamps his mouth (oh, so frustrating right!!!!) Then I tell him, OK, I will eat it! You can't have any. I take a bite and overact how good it is, then say yummy, you can't have any. His immediate reaction is "want some!" I hesitate and then say "you want some of Mommy's?" and he opens and away it goes. After he tries it, he usually likes it and eats the whole thing. i have also left a plate of food on the table in front of him and tell him, "don't eat that, it is too yummy for you, it is for Mommy only, don't eat it!" Usually he eats it! Oddly, my really picky children love chili, bagels with cream cheese, and a casserole I make with cheddar cheese, ritz and yellow squash. Good luck with your battle of wits!