Worried about my toddlers diet

[organicpapayamama]

Here is a little background on DS. He LOVES his milk... sadly I wasnt able to bf so it was mostly formula till around age one. he transitioned beautifully to cows milk at around 1 yr old. DS never liked baby food. I tried introducing solids around 6-8 months and it was a no go. Hes all about texture and I could tell he didnt like mushy foods. So I was able to give him pieces of veggies which he ate for a few months. Veggies were his favorites. He has never liked any fruits or sweets or juice. He crossed veggies off the list several months ago and his diet is mainly cows milk which worries me. he will eat some solids but not the ones I would like. He eats the following:

French fries (no flames please)
sometimes a chicken nugget or two
LOVES mac n cheese
Grilled cheese sandwich
Dried apple snacks
veggie puff snacks
gold fish crackers
Pretty much any kind of carb
cheese

I hate that he wont eat fruits or real veggies. I am able to sneak apple juice in his milk. He does drink the gerber graduates drinks mixed in his milk as well. but Im worried that he isnt getting enough nutrients. He weighs fine and he is an active kid but you know the mama worry is still there. Oh and can I add that he wont eat meat. he probably eats two meals a day... very small meals and then its milk the rest of the time.

does his diet sound ok? is it typical of a toddler? when does it get better? any suggestions with foods your toddler likes?

[mi_amor]

The book "Deceptively Delicious" may help sneak some more veggies into his diet. You can puree a bit of cauliflower, or butternut squash and mix that into the mac and cheese sauce and it tastes yummy! There is a recipe for nuggets in there that has a bit of broccoli puree in the batter too. I haven't tried that one yet, but the chickpea cookies were a hit.

Does your little one like sweet potato fries? My DS loves those and eats them like candy.

I don't have much experience with toddler meals, DS doesn't like meat either but eats a lot of fruit and veggies. He loves blueberries, pears, broccoli, peas, and cheese. He recently stopped nursing but won't drink milk so I'm worried he's not getting enough calcium.

[organicpapayamama]

Originally Posted by mi_amor

The book "Deceptively Delicious" may help sneak some more veggies into his diet. You can puree a bit of cauliflower, or butternut squash and mix that into the mac and cheese sauce and it tastes yummy! There is a recipe for nuggets in there that has a bit of broccoli puree in the batter too. I haven't tried that one yet, but the chickpea cookies were a hit.

Does your little one like sweet potato fries? My DS loves those and eats them like candy.

I don't have much experience with toddler meals, DS doesn't like meat either but eats a lot of fruit and veggies. He loves blueberries, pears, broccoli, peas, and cheese. He recently stopped nursing but won't drink milk so I'm worried he's not getting enough calcium.

Ill def look into that book, thanks! great idea about mixing veggies in the sause. I have not tried sweet potato fries, Ill def try it. That was one of the few baby food he did like back in the day.

any ideas on how to sneak fruit into his diet? as mentioned before I mix juice in his milk but id rather he eat actual fruit somehow. It seems he doesnt really like sweet things... he hates cookies btw lol

[serenbat]

the diet you stated seems super crappy (not even mentioning the FF)- I would not make that food as an offer- simply offer only healthy foods and set a good example


the apple juice in the milk makes me cringe!!!

speak with your ped's for a referral to a nutritionist and also check out the forum on Nutrition and Good Eating as a start and post there

[lizzylou]

If you don't offer junk, he won't eat junk. Offer lots of good stuff and he will get used to it!

Isn't juice practically worthless nutritionally? I'm not sure that I would even bother. There have to be fruits and veggies that he likes - you just need to keep offering. French fries etc. are not an alternative.

[organicpapayamama]

Originally Posted by serenbat

the diet you stated seems super crappy (not even mentioning the FF)- I would not make that food as an offer- simply offer only healthy foods and set a good example


the apple juice in the milk makes me cringe!!!

speak with your ped's for a referral to a nutritionist and also check out the forum on Nutrition and Good Eating as a start and post there

Originally Posted by lizzylou

If you don't offer junk, he won't eat junk. Offer lots of good stuff and he will get used to it!

Isn't juice practically worthless nutritionally? I'm not sure that I would even bother. There have to be fruits and veggies that he likes - you just need to keep offering. French fries etc. are not an alternative.

yes I know its bad. really I do. Thats why Im asking for help. He doesnt get FF often but I thought I would mention it as one of the few foods he does like. He will not eat ANY other thing I offer him. NOT at all. It has been going on like this well since pretty much since he started eating solids. He will be 2 very soon. He is the pickiest eater I have ever seen. There was a time where I was offering the healthier things to him on a regular basis and I too eat it in front of him to show by example. but after wasting food and money not to mention he wasnt eating anything Id rather have him eat something rather than nothing. Im really at my wits end here.

There was also a time where we would put veggie soup that had been put through the blender in his bottle (not mixed with milk but straight) and he used to drink that. Now he doesnt like it and not only that but Im trying to get him out of bottles now. uggg. I feel like a failure in this department and doing it on my own as a single mama isnt easy.

[mi_amor]

I don't think you're a failure, some children are really picky eaters!

For fruit, maybe you could sneak some mashed bananas into pancakes or muffins? Maybe a frozen fruit yogurt popsicles would be tempting for your DS to try? Or an apple or berry crisp? DS loves raisins, but maybe yours won't because they are sweet.

For more veggies, you can puree lots of different steamed veggies (cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, butternut squash, etc.) and sneak it into spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce on a cheese pita pizza, in quesadillas, scrambled eggs, the cheese sauce for mac and cheese.

Annabel Karmel has a few books for picky toddlers, and I think she has some recipes on her website too: http://www.annabelkarmel.com/

I also have a recipe for vegan fishy crackers I found in the Vegan Lunchbox...PM me if you want it. I haven't tried it yet, but was planning on making them for DS soon.

ETA~ Being a single Mama would make it more difficult to have the time to make all these things! Sometimes my DS is so fussy that I am happy he ate whatever he ate that day, whatever it was.

[rightkindofme]

I don't really have any advice. My kid eats anything set in front of her. I just wanted to post and say you aren't a terrible person and your kid is not being set up to have a terrible life. I ate significantly worse than your kid when I was little. I just hated most food. I grew out of it. My mom never tried to force me to eat foods I didn't like and I'm really grateful. I didn't eat green foods other than pickles until I was 17. I'm very healthy. I'm a little chunky but I'm not even close to obese. At this point I will try just about any food and I eat tons of vegetables. Taste palates change.

We are all doing the best we can.

[organicpapayamama]

Originally Posted by mi_amor

For fruit, maybe you could sneak some mashed bananas into pancakes or muffins? Maybe a frozen fruit yogurt popsicles would be tempting for your DS to try? Or an apple or berry crisp? DS loves raisins, but maybe yours won't because they are sweet.

well thats assuming he would eat those things... ds doesnt eat any of that. he hates yogurt doesnt like pancakes...im stunned by what this kid wont eat.

Originally Posted by mi_amor

For more veggies, you can puree lots of different steamed veggies (cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, butternut squash, etc.) and sneak it into spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce on a cheese pita pizza, in quesadillas, scrambled eggs, the cheese sauce for mac and cheese.

I also have a recipe for vegan fishy crackers I found in the Vegan Lunchbox...PM me if you want it. I haven't tried it yet, but was planning on making them for DS soon.

ETA~ Being a single Mama would make it more difficult to have the time to make all these things! Sometimes my DS is so fussy that I am happy he ate whatever he ate that day, whatever it was.

ds doesnt eat spaghetti... I can tell he has an issue with the pasta being slimy... as mentioned he has a texture issue... his dad was the same way he doesnt like eggs.... he will try a bite or two of pizza or a quesadilla but never more than a few bites. and yes being a single mama make it even tougher... uggg Im just trying not to stress myself out over this. The vegan fish crackers sound interesting but ds had never liked fish ever... I guess it wouldnt hurt to try it...

[organicpapayamama]

Originally Posted by rightkindofme

I don't really have any advice. My kid eats anything set in front of her. I just wanted to post and say you aren't a terrible person and your kid is not being set up to have a terrible life. I ate significantly worse than your kid when I was little. I just hated most food. I grew out of it. My mom never tried to force me to eat foods I didn't like and I'm really grateful. I didn't eat green foods other than pickles until I was 17. I'm very healthy. I'm a little chunky but I'm not even close to obese. At this point I will try just about any food and I eat tons of vegetables. Taste palates change.

We are all doing the best we can.

thank you i needed that

[bluejaunte]

No advice really, just wanted to say yours sounds a lot like mine. I have pictures of him nomming on vasty heaps of steamed broccoli and I look back on those with intense nostalgia.

But! He's almost 27 months and he's only recently started being willing to try new things AND start eating fruit/some veggies again. This after months of wanting to eat nothing but Pirate's Booty and its ilk (which I didn't let him regularly, but he would happily have lived on it if I had!). Still not digging the broccoli, but he'll eat apples, pears, berries, carrots, cuke, etc. And his texture issues are about 80% gone.

I know what it's like to want them to eat something for the sake of eating SOMETHING, and to have healthy standards slip a little just to get some calories in. (Mine has iron problems so I'm especially concerned to get SOME food in him, even if it's just iron-enriched cereal or something.)

But as far as mine goes, it passed, and it passed real suddenlike. Good luck!

[mama1803]

I'd cut down on the cow's milk. It is very filling and could be killing his appetite for food. It also blocks the absorption of iron and kids who drink only milk and eat very little else are prime candidate's for anemia.

I think you are right to be worried about cow's milk being the bulk of his diet. Try cutting back and see if his appetite increases.

[organicpapayamama]

Originally Posted by mama1803

I'd cut down on the cow's milk. It is very filling and could be killing his appetite for food. It also blocks the absorption of iron and kids who drink only milk and eat very little else are prime candidate's for anemia.

I think you are right to be worried about cow's milk being the bulk of his diet. Try cutting back and see if his appetite increases.

yes exactly this. During the day he will only drink about 1-2 bottles. During the night this kid drinks 4-5 bottles!!!! its crazy. I think ive been using the bottle to keep him quiet which I know isnt great... its hard doing it on my own and being pregnant and then not sleeping through the night when I have to be up for work at 4 am. (not that ds sleeps through the night even with bottles. He will still wake up roughly 6-10 times but the bottle keeps him from crying) Ive tried replacing the milk with water and he will not have it. Id like to stop the bottles as he is getting a bit old for it, I dont want it to ruin his teeth and I dont want him to get ear infections which has not been a problem so far. I just feel like its so tough. Maybe a good time to do it is when Im home with the new baby which is in just 11 weeks. I dont anticipate sleeping much those days anyway and I dont have to get up early for work so maybe???

[cparkly]

Our DS is almost the same age (21-months) and always had a wonderfully varied diet; some favorites were asparagus, salmon, black olive tapenade. Then, he had a terrible reaction to an H1N1 vaccine (no flames, please). After 2 weeks of vomiting and diarrhea and only breastfeeding (his choice), he was no longer interested in solid foods. Now, fruits and veggies are a very hard sell.

So, I can sympathize with the frustration of setting out a nutiritious diet and then it being "wasted". But, remember how small their little stomachs are. They do not need to eat much. It is so easy for them to fill up on just filler foods with little to no nutritional value. I sneak fruits and veggies in and offer small amounts of enticing, colorful fruits and veggies, too.

Here are some ideas, based on the food list that you provided.

French fries Try sweet potato oven "fries". Zucchini or summer squash rolled in flax seed meal and bread crumbs then sauteed in olive or baked are great.
sometimes a chicken nugget or two Try making your own with chicken breast, an egg wash and bread crumbs and flax meal. Then bake or saute in olive oil. Try this with a firm fish or tofu, too.
LOVES mac n cheese Make your own with whole wheat or quinoa pasta, and a cheddar cheese sauce made with winter squash. Gives it so much more nutrition and a great ORANGE color.
Grilled cheese sandwich Focus on a high quality bread, add thin apple slices or very, very finely chopped walnuts.
Dried apple snacks Have your tried any other dried fruits or veggies?
veggie puff snacks
gold fish crackers
Pretty much any kind of carb We bake together. We make sweet and savory muffins that have sweet potato, squash, apple, etc. in them. We even make chicken muffins .
cheese

Remember that most toddlers LOVE "dips". Cream cheese with blended veggies (parsley, spinach, carrots, etc.) "Barbeque" sauce diluted with pureed carrot, etc...

I try to include DS in the preparation of foods; choosing menus, shopping, prepping and cooking, as much as possible. I plan out our menus very carefully and prepare in advance as much as possible. Then portion out small servings and utilize the freezer.

I wish you the very best in this challenge. Your DS is very fortunate to have a mother that loves and cares for all of his needs the way that you do.

[laughymama]

I wanted to let you know that you're certainly not alone.

My 21 month old is just as picky and has texture issues as well. I've tried everything and very little works.

He doesn't get enough veggies, I know for sure but we try our best. Don't be too hard on yourself. Looking for ideas and alternatives is good and says a lot. I am definitely in the same boat as you right now.

[physmom]

I'm all about sneaking in veggies. With mac and cheese corn/peas/spniach can easily be mixed in. Same with grilled cheese (try some onions or peppers). Chicken nuggets can be made at home (see http://www.wholesometoddlerfood.com/).

What about chicken pot pie? We make a healthier version (whole wheat crust and only on top, lots of veggie and chicken breasts, and a mushroom soup sauce). Has he tried cheese and broccoli? You say he likes carbs... what about putting hummus on bread?

[mama1803]

Originally Posted by organicpapayamama

yes exactly this. During the day he will only drink about 1-2 bottles. During the night this kid drinks 4-5 bottles!!!! its crazy. I think ive been using the bottle to keep him quiet which I know isnt great... its hard doing it on my own and being pregnant and then not sleeping through the night when I have to be up for work at 4 am. (not that ds sleeps through the night even with bottles. He will still wake up roughly 6-10 times but the bottle keeps him from crying) Ive tried replacing the milk with water and he will not have it. Id like to stop the bottles as he is getting a bit old for it, I dont want it to ruin his teeth and I dont want him to get ear infections which has not been a problem so far. I just feel like its so tough. Maybe a good time to do it is when Im home with the new baby which is in just 11 weeks. I dont anticipate sleeping much those days anyway and I dont have to get up early for work so maybe???

I wouldn't wait until the new baby arrives. The addition of a new sibling to the household and the changes that come along with a new baby can be alot for a little kid to process. I wouldn't suggest making major dietary changes that you know will be met with resistance at the same time you all are trying to get adjusted to a new baby. If you are using bottles at night now to keep him from crying, you certainly aren't going to be in any better position to deal with his crying and night waking with a newborn.

I'd start making changes now. Don't stop the night bottles cold turkey, but start giving him less and less each time, even if it means he will cry and fuss for more for awhile. It may mean less sleep for you now as you provide other means of comfort (holding, rocking, snuggling) in place of the bottle. Hopefully, as the amount of milk he is taking in is reduced, he will realize that real food can satisfy his hunger. But as long as he is filling up on milk, he has little incentive to even try other things.

Good luck.

[abiyhayil]

does he have any snack traps? DS liked grazing from his snack cup instead of having to sit down and eat a meal. Anything from Just Tomatoes works perfect in them. Has he tried Just Tomatoes before? I think trying to make meal time into a power struggle would make things even worse. Like PP have said, just make healthier versions of what he will eat even homemade baked french fries if he doesn't like the sweet potato. do you have a waffle maker? he could help pour the batter and pick a topping. Good luck mama!

[organicpapayamama]

Originally Posted by cparkly

Here are some ideas, based on the food list that you provided.

French fries Try sweet potato oven "fries". Zucchini or summer squash rolled in flax seed meal and bread crumbs then sauteed in olive or baked are great.
sometimes a chicken nugget or two Try making your own with chicken breast, an egg wash and bread crumbs and flax meal. Then bake or saute in olive oil. Try this with a firm fish or tofu, too.
LOVES mac n cheese Make your own with whole wheat or quinoa pasta, and a cheddar cheese sauce made with winter squash. Gives it so much more nutrition and a great ORANGE color.
Grilled cheese sandwich Focus on a high quality bread, add thin apple slices or very, very finely chopped walnuts.
Dried apple snacks Have your tried any other dried fruits or veggies?
veggie puff snacks
gold fish crackers
Pretty much any kind of carb We bake together. We make sweet and savory muffins that have sweet potato, squash, apple, etc. in them. We even make chicken muffins .
cheese

Remember that most toddlers LOVE "dips". Cream cheese with blended veggies (parsley, spinach, carrots, etc.) "Barbeque" sauce diluted with pureed carrot, etc...

I try to include DS in the preparation of foods; choosing menus, shopping, prepping and cooking, as much as possible. I plan out our menus very carefully and prepare in advance as much as possible. Then portion out small servings and utilize the freezer.

I wish you the very best in this challenge. Your DS is very fortunate to have a mother that loves and cares for all of his needs the way that you do.

thank you so much for your tips! Im def going to try the sweet potato fries. I think that will work. the chicken nuggets are really a rare occasion and if he dares to try it its only 1 or 2 bites. I really get the feeling he doesnt like meat. with the grilled cheese I do use whole grain bread with cheese with added calcium. He's never had nuts and although no one in the family has a nut allergy nuts do make me nervous but I suppose Ill never know until I try it. I have tried dried strawberries and bananas and he didnt like those at all. I would love to try muffins of sorts but being a single mama and working full time with a new one on the way I dont have much time.. but I will try it one of these weekends.

I had no idea toddlers like dip. DS has never shown an interest in dip. when I eat chicken nuggets I dip them in ranch and he always looks at it like its some odd thing. He has never tried to dip anything... I guess I can put it out there and see if he will try it.

[organicpapayamama]

Originally Posted by physmom

What about chicken pot pie? We make a healthier version (whole wheat crust and only on top, lots of veggie and chicken breasts, and a mushroom soup sauce). Has he tried cheese and broccoli? You say he likes carbs... what about putting hummus on bread?

he doesnt like meat. the chicken nuggets are on very rare occasion and only a bite or two. Also he doesnt like soup Ive tried the cheese and broccoli and he will peel the cheese off the broccoli and only eat the cheese.