Picky toddler foods

[MrsBone]

So, my son is 17 months and has hit the stage where he gets bored with mealtime, throwing food on the ground and basically not eating all day. My sis, MillieIvy suggested putting small amounts of food in muffin tins for him to eat, and that has worked pretty well, but what I'm looking for now is some fun ways to get him to eat more veggies. I was watching the cooking channel yesterday and they made what looked like cucumber sushi..the wrapper was made from cucumber. stuff like that. he is DF, not necessarily grain free, but gluten free. He's not a huge fan of grains anyway. Any ideas on making his food more fun?

[blueridgewoman]

My daughter really likes cucumbers cut into slices with some salt on them, and she loves carrot sticks dipped in hummus as well. She'll also eat a lot of sugar snap peas and I taught her last summer how to shell them. She was about your son's age and I bet you could show him too- it seems like interactive food is fun at that age. She'll also eat thawed frozen lima beans.

One of her big successes has been kale cooked in bone broth and bacon- it takes the bitterness completely out of the greens and I think that's a big thing at that age. Tomatoes are a hit too.

I don't know if any of that helps, but it seems like finger foods, dips, and stuff she can manipulate (like peas that involve peeling, etc) are the way to go... I know each kid is different, but that might help?

I will add, though, that honestly, I worry more about getting protein and fat into my daughter at this point than veggies. She does eat 2-3 servings of veggies a day, but I think I might be the only mother in the world who tells her child that she can't have more kale until she finishes her chicken. I think that the protein and fat soluable vitamins are a larger priority for small kids than most people would have you believe, particularly if they're no longer nursing or getting ready to wean.

[MrsBone]

Originally Posted by blueridgewoman

My daughter really likes cucumbers cut into slices with some salt on them, and she loves carrot sticks dipped in hummus as well. She'll also eat a lot of sugar snap peas and I taught her last summer how to shell them. She was about your son's age and I bet you could show him too- it seems like interactive food is fun at that age. She'll also eat thawed frozen lima beans.

One of her big successes has been kale cooked in bone broth and bacon- it takes the bitterness completely out of the greens and I think that's a big thing at that age. Tomatoes are a hit too.

I don't know if any of that helps, but it seems like finger foods, dips, and stuff she can manipulate (like peas that involve peeling, etc) are the way to go... I know each kid is different, but that might help?

I will add, though, that honestly, I worry more about getting protein and fat into my daughter at this point than veggies. She does eat 2-3 servings of veggies a day, but I think I might be the only mother in the world who tells her child that she can't have more kale until she finishes her chicken. I think that the protein and fat soluable vitamins are a larger priority for small kids than most people would have you believe, particularly if they're no longer nursing or getting ready to wean.

Those are good ideas! Thanks. Yeah, I'm not worried about the fat and protein! He loves eggs, beans, meat of any kind, fish(even tuna and sardines), etc. The veggies are the problem. Thanks!

[barefootmommy]

Veggies cut up in fun coloured cups to carry around during play time has been the best thing for my kids.

Mung bean sprouts - they are sweet, crunchy, and unusual looking. I've noticed my kids like things that seem a little out of the ordinary. New shapes, textures, colours, etc. make the more curious to try it.

Green smoothies. Some of our favorites are banana (2), cooked spinach (3 cups), nut butter (1 whopping tablespoon) & milk. Or banana, mango, romaine lettuce (entire head of romaine!) & filtered water.

Cherry tomatoes

Hearts of Romaine with dip

Not making food a battle, giving veggies when they are hungriest (first thing in the morning) or on walks, when we're outside, when the TV is on, when they are distracted basically... I've gotten my son to eat most of his veggies that way and he loves them. I'm with the other poster - I have a much harder time getting my kids to eat meat. I think veggies are easier to hide in food then meat! LOL Anyone wanna meat smoothie? I don't think so.