Toddler won't eat...

[honey-lilac]

.. I always read threads about how LO's won't eat vegetables or fruit - trouble is, that's all my DS (almost 3) wants to eat. He refuses to touch meat of any kind. I don't think he really understands where meat comes from, that's not it - it's just that I guess he doesn't like the texture? I try to hide meat in things like spaghetti sauce or things like that but other than that it's a no go if he can identify it. Even little chunks in soup will be left behind or he will eat around a pastry roll-up filling. Seeing as how the rest of us aren't vegetarian, I'm not sure whether I should give him any sort of special diet or supplements. We don't eat a lot of beans as it is. Is there something I should be looking out for healthwise, or will he just get over this new picky thing?

[tbone_kneegrabber]

well we don't eat meat, so ds doesn't. we do eat a fair amount of legumes (beans, lentils etc). Does he dairy? Cheese, yogurt and milk have really plenty of protein, also eggs, does he eat eggs, those are all really easy things to give him that won't feel like you are making him some "special" diet.

But pretty much I won't worry about it, as long as he's not loosing tons of weight or something.

[Rowansmama]

My daughter (26 months) is the EXACT same way. She really dislikes meat of any kind. I'm fine with this and don't push it. She eats lots of other proteins. But, purely by accident, I discovered she'll eat chicken if it's made into a chicken salad sandwich. I chop it up really fine, and mix it with some mayo, onion, and relish. She eats the entire sandwich happily. I also randomly discovered when we were at someone's house that she likes cubed ham, which isn't something we ever have at home. So now I do buy that occasionally too. I think if you really want him to eat meat and he'll eat it when you disguise it, keep doing whatever works. But I wouldn't worry that he doesn't eat meat, as long as he's eating a balanced diet otherwise. And he may indeed get over it as time goes on.

[Ruthie's momma]

DD is very similar. But, I don't worry about it too much. She loves most any dairy product, eggs and legumes (she also really likes most all fruits, vegetables and whole grains). Although we are not vegetarians, we do watch our meat intake. As a result, we eat a lot of meat free meals. So, I know that she is being offered plenty of protein rich foods. DD will eat quite a bit of some meats as is: poultry (chicken and turkey) and seafood. But, she certainly prefers if it is served in small pieces.

[Luke's mama]

Mine is the other way around lately and I am not thrilled about eating alot of meat! I think you are in a much better position--Dr. Harvey Karp from Happiest Toddler on the Block says that really all toddlers get enough protein and what we need to worry about getting them to eat is veggies and fruits! Even for adults recommendations for anti-cancer diets are to eat only 20 percent meat or less.

Anyway, maybe nuts or oven baked tofu would be a hit?