Worried about my toddlers diet

[organicpapayamama]

I posted this in the toddlers forum but was told I may get some better help here. So here goes:

I tried introducing solids to ds around 6-8 months and he hated it. Hes all about texture and I could tell he didnt like mushy foods. I was only able to get him to kinda eat the sweet potato baby food for a little bit. So I was able to give him pieces of actual veggies which he ate for a few months. Veggies were his favorite until about 12 months or so. He has never liked any fruits or sweets or juice. He crossed veggies off the list a while 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, its not often)
sometimes a chicken nugget or two (on very rare occasion)
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 (i know its not the best but its the only way so far he will eat fruit). 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.

I really dont know what else to do. I have had people tell me the following things like they are fact:
-If you only offer him healthy foods he will eventually like it
-If he sees you eating it then he will follow your example
In theory those statements sound great but they dont work like that, at least not for me. I have put healthy snacks in front of him for months and eat healthy in front of him as well and always offer him my food and he never I mean NEVER has eaten one bite. After throwing away money and food for months and months I caved and give him what he likes, at least he is eating that way. I really feel like Im failing him and im just stuck. Please help mamas.

[summermay]

His diet right now does not look too bad, I would not worry too much at this time.

Offering a large plate with several healthy and attractive food choices and standing firm. His taste buds have been trained to that certain flavour right now, but children can adapt quickly.

What helped us most, was to offer fruit and vegetable animals, for example cut in animal shapes, and if there is not the junk alternative, it works. We are veg*n, but here and then dc love organic veg choclate, it could be every day, if it were to them.

[amma_mama]

If he drinks juice and milk together, how about gradually moving him toward a smoothie, slowly increasing the amount of fruits that are added? Also, how about pancakes or other carb made with fruit (e.g. banana) or veggies (sweet potato) mixed in? I also used to add some cooked/pureed red lentils (they cook up yellow) to DD's mac & cheese and she never noticed.

[calebsmommy25]

How about sweet potato fries? These are sweet, delicious and nutritious. I like the adding of lentils to the mac and cheese. My suggestion was to add pureed cauliflower, sweet potato, or some type of squash puree to the mac and cheese. Same great food, with a boost of nutrients. How about shredding some carrots and adding them to the cheese for the grilled cheese, or even sneaking in some chopped up spinach. You could probably even get away with some pureed white bean, chick peas or cauliflower spread on the bread before adding the cheese. How about making some tofu nuggets? I've never tried it, but have seen recipes for them. Dried apple snacks are great. Are they the freeze dried ones? My lo and I just discovered these at subway the other day! He loved them! My son loves goldfish too...sometimes that is all he wants in a day. But, thankfully, that isn't too often.

I second the smoothie and pancake idea. You can put just about anything in a smoothie. Does he like yogurt? That is a great snack. How about some healthy muffins? You can jam pack almost anything into a muffin. Carrots, berries, sweet potatoes, whole grains, flax seeds, etc. The sky is the limit.

It sounds like you could benefit from the book Deceptively Delicious by Jessica (?) Seinfeld. She is all about the hiding of the veggies.

Good luck Mama. I know it is hard sometimes with picky toddlers. You can do it...

[Magelet]

You know what I learned recently about kids and eating that shocked me? It often takes children at least 10-15 exposures to a new food before it is even a possibility of it becoming a food they will eat willingly/enjoy.

Personally, I would insist that he try at least one bite of the fruits and veggies you want him to eat, and anything else, many many times. (this can be a bite of what you are eating, you don't have to make it special for him)

I would personally say that the nutrients in apple juice are not worth the sugar. If you sweeten his milk with apple juice to get him those nutrients, then how on earth will he be willing to drink unsweetened milk later on? Milk is quite nutritious, and apple juice honestly doesn't have that many nutrients, compared to the high amount of sugar. (and the fact that it accustoms his palate to sweetness)

It does sound like a lot of sweetness to me. (Most of foods like that are quite sweet, or sweetened, even if they aren't desserty foods, and refined carbs act in much the same way in the body as sugars.) The problem I see with this is that it acustoms his palate to sweetness, and veggies aren't sweet, they are sometimes quite bitter to a child's palate. Making sure that his food doesn't all taste sweet may make him open to trying non-sweet foods.

(also there are a couple of wonderful blogs out there that I have seen linked from the nutrition forums on MDC, about helping children learn how to eat healthy, just like we teach them to tie their shoes, go to the bathroom, choose their clothes, and such. Perhaps some other mamas know what I'm talking about, remember the links, and can link them?)

Overall though, I'd say he's doing fine. Whole milk has a LOT of nutrition. And you know what mama? Because you are paying attention to what your son eats, and trying to get him to eat healthy, you aren't failing him, you are doing wonderful by him. Just by caring and paying attention, you will help him eat better and healthier.

[BetsyS]

This isn't the most common way of doing things around MDC, but what has worked for us is having a fairly set routine of meals/snacks.

I serve milk upon awakening, breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, before nap milk, an after-nap snack, supper, then a before bed milk.

I'm not crazy strict about it ("oh, it's 4:30---you boys have to wait until 4:45 to eat! Suck it up!!" ), but those are our pretty set times. I offer food, then they choose to eat it or not. They sometimes skip a meal or snack, and that's okay, too. There will be more food coming in a couple of hours, you know? I usually serve different stuff all day, so there are opportunities to try new things, some old favorites, no one goes hungry, and I'm getting a variety in them.

I initially chose to do this because it felt like our entire day was being spent with him begging for food at the fridge/pantry (this was around 12-13 months). A routine helped with that, and since it worked well for us, we've kept it up (my oldest is 3.5 years now).

For other kids, a snack tray works well (my kids like to feed this to the dog when they are finished, instead of leaving the rest for later).

You'll find what works for you, OP!

[organicpapayamama]

Originally Posted by calebsmommy25

Are they the freeze dried ones? My lo and I just discovered these at subway the other day! He loved them! My son loves goldfish too...sometimes that is all he wants in a day. But, thankfully, that isn't too often.

I second the smoothie and pancake idea. You can put just about anything in a smoothie. Does he like yogurt? That is a great snack. How about some healthy muffins? You can jam pack almost anything into a muffin. Carrots, berries, sweet potatoes, whole grains, flax seeds, etc. The sky is the limit.

Yes they are the freeze dried ones. They are not cheap but I get them because its really the only fruit he eats. He doesnt eat pancakes and he doesnt like yogurt. I really have to get creative to hide stuff in his food. If he sees anything in there like a piece of meat or veggie or anything he will pick it out and say "eww."

[organicpapayamama]

Originally Posted by Magelet

Personally, I would insist that he try at least one bite of the fruits and veggies you want him to eat, and anything else, many many times. (this can be a bite of what you are eating, you don't have to make it special for him)

How do I insist without forcing him? Im not going to force feed him. All i can do is give it to him, put it in front of him and show him mommy is eating it. after a 1/2 hour an an hour its still not in his mouth (which it usually isnt) all I can do is throw it away.

Originally Posted by Magelet

I would personally say that the nutrients in apple juice are not worth the sugar. If you sweeten his milk with apple juice to get him those nutrients, then how on earth will he be willing to drink unsweetened milk later on? Milk is quite nutritious, and apple juice honestly doesn't have that many nutrients, compared to the high amount of sugar. (and the fact that it accustoms his palate to sweetness) It does sound like a lot of sweetness to me. (Most of foods like that are quite sweet, or sweetened, even if they aren't desserty foods, and refined carbs act in much the same way in the body as sugars.) The problem I see with this is that it acustoms his palate to sweetness, and veggies aren't sweet, they are sometimes quite bitter to a child's palate. Making sure that his food doesn't all taste sweet may make him open to trying non-sweet foods.

I dont always add apple juice to his milk. its a few times a week. he LOVES his milk with or without anything. I also add cod liver oil to his milk which he doesnt seem to mind. he doesnt really like sweet things thats why the milk mellows out the juice because he wont drink the juice on its own. Its not a lot of juice either. And its 100% fruit juice. I actually wish it would accustom him to sweetness because at least then he will eat fruit but he doesnt. I just feel stuck.

[Chicky2]

Wellllll, take it or leave it, but I think that more than a cup of milk a day is too much. And it should only be raw milk straight from the cow or even better, goat. And we skip juice altogether. We drink water mostly. OJ is a treat and unfiltered apple juice w/mulling spices is also a treat. We do that maybe once a month-6 wks.

I make super veggie spaghetti sauce. I put every veggie I have in the house(carrots, celery, onion, garlic, zucchini, spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms) in a big ole pot and add some tomatoes and spices. I simmer it all down and use my immersion blender to puree. It is super healthy and yummy! All kids I've fed it to have gobbled it up and been none the wise. I don't have a problem w/my kids eating veggies/fruits, but my neighbors have kids who have issues in that department so I taught them how to make this.

Zucchini and carrot muffins or pancakes (you can either grate the veggies or cook and puree first).

Smoothies w/kale or spinach in them. Or beet greens. I even make "Popeyesicles" w/kefir and chocolate and spinach and banana. MMMM!

[organicpapayamama]

Originally Posted by Chicky2

Wellllll, take it or leave it, but I think that more than a cup of milk a day is too much. And it should only be raw milk straight from the cow or even better, goat. A

I agree but what do you do when your toddler is screaming for hours on end, hasnt eaten a meal the whole day or sometimes longer and you know a bottle will solve that problem? i dont want to cut it cold turkey and have it leave a negative impact on him. and on the other spectrum, Ive tried taking a bottle away at a time but the crying ensues... Im lost

Originally Posted by Chicky2

I make super veggie spaghetti sauce. I put every veggie I have in the house(carrots, celery, onion, garlic, zucchini, spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms) in a big ole pot and add some tomatoes and spices. I simmer it all down and use my immersion blender to puree. It is super healthy and yummy! All kids I've fed it to have gobbled it up and been none the wise. I don't have a problem w/my kids eating veggies/fruits, but my neighbors have kids who have issues in that department so I taught them how to make this.

Zucchini and carrot muffins or pancakes (you can either grate the veggies or cook and puree first).

I would love to do this but he doesnt like spaghetti and especially doesnt like sauces or soupy like food.[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by Chicky2

Smoothies w/kale or spinach in them. Or beet greens. I even make "Popeyesicles" w/kefir and chocolate and spinach and banana. MMMM!

I would also love to make smoothies but he doesnt like think drinks... hes all about textures... ug this kid.

my problem is:
-I know he needs to be eating better.
-I know how to make the healthy foods suggested but he wont eat it
-I dont want him to NOT eat
so what do I do? I dont think there is an easy answer. I think either way there are going to be tears.

[organicmidwestmama]

this is going to sound wonky to most folks but it's something i've come to learn recently- there are no nutrients found in fruit that can't be found in other foods and in less sugary foods. fruit is delicious, but not nearly as nutritious as we've been told by the usda and the aap,or any other popular health advocacy group in the usa.

it sounds by his diet, that your ds is "addicted" to carbohydrate type foods, which is quite common in our culture that shuns fats and animal foods for processed refined carbs.

i'm not flaming you here momma, i fed my first kid lots of crackers and stuff as a young child, but i now know these foods have very few nutrients in them, aside from calories. young children actually dont assimilate vegetables and fruits too well, at least not as well as adults.

children will eventually come to love real food if they are not given goldfish everyday, or chicken mcnuggats, or other processed food.

real food for babies and toddlers might be-

homemade chicken nuggets or fried clams (good recipe here http://www.cheeseslave.com/2009/08/18/fried-clams/)

if you really desire to feed your child french fries, make em yourself. its a pain but if you use good fatsuch as pastured lard or coconut oil, they aren't necessarily bad for you. (recipe that sounds good here- http://www.kellythekitchenkop.com/20...th-tallow.html )

real, whole milk yogurt with little to no sweetener (most packaged yogurt has as much sugar as ice cream, beware. make your own by using less then a tsp sweetener per 1/2 cup yogurt).

cheese is great for young children who can tolerate dairy, especially organic, whole-milk cheese.

really young kids need lots of good fats, protien, some complex carbs (ie. sweet potato) and as treats fresh fruit or the like.

the following is from a medical doctor whose work i like-
http://fourfoldhealing.com/category/...-our-children/

"If at all possible refined foods should be avoided in this critical first year. This especially includes pasta, boxed cereals, fruit juices, and sweeteners such as sucanat, honey and maple syrup. During this time the child should learn to enjoy the natural sweetness of grains, vegetables, and fruit. If this is allowed to happen, the child’s nutritional habits will be set on a strong foundation for the rest of their lives. "

I personally think these refined foods can/should be mostly avaoided for all ages.

here is a good list of nutrient-dense foods for toddlers-

http://www.westonaprice.org/Foods-to...schoolers.html

[organicmidwestmama]

"But my kid refuses to eat veggies!" In his article Feeding Our Children, Tom Cowan, M.D., explains "...because children have a relative paucity of the enzyme that converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, children younger than five years generally do not do well with vegetables. I tell all my parents not to worry about their children not liking vegetables, as this is normal in this stage of life. In fact, because they are slow in this enzymatic conversion, perhaps it is best left to the cow to do this conversion and for the child to eat butter and cream. This is actually probably more as nature intended it anyway." Well, well, that sure helps alleviate some dinner time battles!

found this here-http://www.westonaprice.org/Foods-to-Tantalize-Toddlers-Preschoolers.html

[redvlagrl]

Can I recommend the book "My child Won't Eat" published by the LLL. It's really good.

Have you tried preparing veggies in different ways? Adding sauces? My 17 mth old is all about the "dip, dip, dip"! If there is a sauce she can dip something into, it's great (although sometimes she just sucks off the sauce/gravy/sour cream etc).

I would def add some veggies to your mac and cheese and make sure it's totally homemade with wholewheat pasta, real cheese and whole milk. I then add Broccoli. I think the Jessica Seinfeld book recommends adding pureed sweet potato to it, but we don't have a veggie problem so I don't.

May I suggest you ditch the veggie puffs? I think those puffed foods are not very caloric and they fill you up with a lot of refined stuff.

Have you tried offering veggies in larger pieces - whole 'trees' of broccoli?

Different preparation techniques can be good too. For example, DD will not touch steamed spinach but will devour Creamed Spinach like crazy. DD also loves garlic in everything.

Also if you are still BFing then you could try eating a lot of broccoli as the taste apparently goes through to the milk. This might get hime used to it.

I also agree with some PPs that you might like to reduce the amount of processed foods (goldfish, nuggets etc) in favour of homemade versions - baked or fried frenchfries made at home, homemade nuggets, wholegrain crackers.

Good luck.