Seeking Help on My Pick Eater 15 Month Old Son.

My 2 year old son is the same way. But when I do get him to eat a meal, it's take out food. He doesn't eat home-cooked meals. When he isn't eatine take out, he's munching on junk. I don't like it, and I think I might be a bit late in starting this, but I use the time-out method. He knows what it is and he hates it. As far as his eating goes, he'll eat when he's hungry. You've just got to remember that he's a baby, and he's got his own timeline. Don't give in to the tantrums when you say no to snacks. And remember to limit juice.

I hate to break this to you but graduates lil meals and tyson chicken nuggets are not healthy choices )-: I know some kids love em' but they are very processed and not good for them.

You said he only wants to eat junk like chips, cookies, candy and cakes. Who does the grocery shopping? I presume it isn't him. Kids WILL eat what we give them (yes, there are exceptions, everyone has food that they don't like) but for the most part - he'll eat what you feed him. Feed him chips, cookies, candy and cake and guess what, not only will he eat them, but he will become addicted and crave only that kind of food. The same goes for a young child who gets veggies, fruits, and other healthy foods - they actually crave them, want them, choose them over junk, etc..

So, in your case you need to start over. The diet he enjoys so much is fine every now and then. At his age though, every now and then means rarely. Birthday parties, etc.. That stuff needs to be removed from the home and you and any other adults in the home need to set the example. You eat grow food and your little one will eat grow food. It will be hard at first, but the longer you wait the harder it will be. You'll put out veggies and grilled chicken and he may turn up his nose, or worse throw a tantrum - which you'll need to prepare yourself for, this may sound extreme but getting off those foods can be compared to one getting off of crack. He will have withdrawls, be irritated, moody, angry but if you stick with it, he will come around. If you give in when he doesn't eat the healthy food you put out then it will be even worse.

You reached out for help and I'm sure you'll get a lot of advice here. Don't take anything too personally. Everyone just ones to help your little guy. You are obviously a loving Mom for recognizing that this needs to be changed. I wish you the best!
M.

Oh, I hate to say it, but the Graduate meals, Tyson nuggets are not healthy foods. If you look at the nutritional information, there's a ton of sodium and fat in them (along with excess carbs).

The first recommendation would be to make sure none of those preferred foods are in the house. Or, that they're only offered on occasion as a treat.

When our kids ask for a snack, we usually give them a few healthy choices and let them decide. We aren't crazy with being healthy, but they're usually offered some kind of fruit/veggies, string cheese, or crackers.

Babies won't go hungry - they'll eat when they want to. So, if all you offer him is healthy, he won't have a choice. One of my kids would never eat cottage cheese - hates it! The other loves it. Somehow, we got lucky, and both LOVE broccoli and cauliflower.

At that age, we had a lot of yogurt, deli meats (ham, turkey thinly shaven), American cheese/string cheese, fresh fruits, fresh or frozen vegetables, etc.

Good luck - it's hard, but he's still really young, and you can change his habits pretty easily.

My oldest would prefer to eat crackers, chips, candy canes, and chocolate all day long. What do I give him? Pasta (with sauce or butter), chopped chicken, cheese, scrambled eggs, applesauce, yogurt (only natural yogurt; cheapest in the large containers), bagels, cream cheese toast (big hit!), and even quesadillas/grilled cheese sandwiches. If he doesn't want to eat the food you give him, then he just will go hungry for a little bit. But if you stick to your guns, he will start eating what you would like him to.

**Adult cereal was also a big hit with my little man. He loved bran flakes, frosted flakes (of course), granola, and life cereal. I didn't complain about him eating that at all!

I am a mother of 2 and 3 year old girls who went through the same thing. Once I threw out all the junk and consistently purchased healthy snacks...grapes, apples, pears bananas and a few baked snacks. They learned to LOVE those things. Plus it helps if he sees MOM eating it. If they are hungry and that's the only options they will eat it. Envolve him in the prep process. Let him wash his on fruit when you are cutting it up, let him put it on his plate or in his bowl or in his own ziplock bag. They like doing big kid things. Make it fun! You can do it!

hehe, join the club.
At this age you can't talk to him and negotiate his meal choice.
but if he thinks he can hold out for the junk,,, he will.

1) give him his own fork or spoon to try to eat and pick up foods. (cubes of fruit are a hit because they are easy to pierce with a fork.. OR eat with his fingers.... try to help put it on the fork.. and see what happens.
2) try to give him crunchy things, like homemade granola bars. (this way, you can get them to eat things like oats,nuts,raisins and wheat germ )
3)make grilled cheese with wholegrain breads.. and real cheddar cheese... then cut it into small pieces.
4) yogurt is a great food item..... I like yoplait thick and creamy, because it is very thick and sticks to the spoon... the babies can practice their own eating.. without losing the yogurt on their shirt. (I'm back to suggesting utensils again.. my 15 month old twins are all about doing it themselves.. I know it slows thing down and is a pain..... but I seem to have success with this approach)
5) slices of whole grain breads.. great snack on their feet.. my little ones don't want to sit still these days.(it can be messy if they don't eat it fast enough and the slices start to fall apart, but "lightly toasted" mostly solves that issue)
6) slices of cooked carrots are a nice finger food. Peas too.
7) cereals with high fiber, like frosted wheat..

The sweet area on our tongues can be a dangerous thing, as we prefer that taste over others UNTIL we keep trying it and 'learn' to like it. Key word is learn. I would take away *ALL* junk food, as it is a choice and your child is making a choice... when there is NO choice then he will eat what he is given if he is hungry... don't worry he may refuse to eat but that is ok, he can go a while and not eat... he will get hungry and as long as you give him healthy choices, especially now, he will learn to eat those things. maybe consider not using the chicken nuggets, perhaps just do a chicken breast and cut it up without the breading... more fresh fruits and veggies.. It will work if you don't give in... he may fuss and cry and refuse to eat but he will be ok... just keep offering him healthy choices.

as long as it is not a food aversion (gagging, throwing up) try "first, then" - "First chicken, then chip" - if he fusses turn to ignore his behavior and repeat "First chicken, then chip". Important: your voice needs to be matter of fact/non-emotional - say it as if to say there are no other options. when he eats his chicken, praise him and then say here's a chip. Also make sure you are not stressed during meal time (it will stress him out)

If there are other things going on with feeding (gagging, texture issues, etc) you may need to take it to a totally different direction.

good luck!

Stop giving him chips and junk food. Of course he would rather have chips and candy! So would I! But that's neither good nor healthy for him. You don't have to force-feed him healthy food, but he will eat when he's hungry. If you let him, he will choose junk; if you don't let him, he will eat healthy food by default. It will be tough, especially since he seems to have gotten into this bad habit, but it will be worth it. Stay strong!

You are the parent and you are setting your child up for obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and even premature death. That being said he can't eat what is not in the house. I have an almost 2 year old son who eats broccoli, frozen peas and carrots, brussel sprouts etc. He even asks for these things when he is hungry. He did not always eat them the very first time that I tried but he eventually acquired a taste for them after seeing them a few times. Have you actually tasted those gerber graduates meals. I did and discovered why my son didn't like them they taste awful. I loved the book deceptively delicious. It is an awesome way to sneak veggies in. I add spinach to chili and spaghetti sauce. I also coat chicken strips in mashed sweet potatoes and wheat germ and "fry" in a pan with a little oil. I am a personal chef so if you want some more suggestions send me a message and I will send you tons of recipes for soups with veggies and other types of food that he may eat. Remember that they may refuse food that you offer but you are the parent if they don't want what you are having then they don't eat. Sometimes my son won't eat at meal time but when he is hungry in 30 minutes I give him the same thing that he just refused and he knows that that is the choice he has 9 out of 10 times he will eat and enjoy. Good luck.

dont offer it to him only offer healthy stuff. he will get hungry enough to eat and learn to like it. but you have to change his taste buds. hes not old enough to make decisions like that.