Question to those with young kids
Replies
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No offense to anyone and I know each child is VERY different and I also know a lot of pediatricians suggest feeding underweight picky eaters junk food just to get them to eat. BUT, they do say that it takes 6-8 times of putting a food in front of a child before they might start eating it, and then it's a big "might". But, starting good, healthy eating habits with your children early is so key to ending our obesity epidemic. Feeding your children Easy Mac and hot dogs while you eat something healthy is just sending the wrong message, in my opinion. Give them what you're eating...and then add a little something to the plate that you know they'll eat, like a piece of fruit or something. Your kids won't starve themselves. They'll just eat more at breakfast.
I agree.
Thanks for all the ideas everyone!! I also agree with what's above here. I won't be feeding him Easy Mac or anything like that. He really isn't a picky eater, salads are one of the very few things he won't eat (knock on wood! That could change in a second lol!) I do continuously try to get him to eat it, but he just isn't interested. He'll eat lettuce in tacos and other things, but not alone...Also, I've never been a short order cook which is why I'm a little curious about what to do. I do NOT want him to get used to the idea of me making him a separate "meal". The rule is my house is you eat what we're eating or you don't eat (and he has gone to bed hungry a few times.) But when it's something I know he just doesn't like, I am willing to find him something else.
I think I'll try to suggestions to give him whatever is topping our salads that night...Maybe I'll throw some lettuce under it, but just a little bit, and maybe eventually he'll eat it!0 -
No offense to anyone at all, but I am really suprised that so see that people who care about their own bodies are feeding their kids crap food. That is not to say that Easy Mac or Spaghetios should be forbidden, but having it as a daily source of "nutrition" is nuts. My husband and I both work full time and my daughter still eats home cooked meals. She does eat mac and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, and chicken nuggets, but *I* make them and I can control what goes in.
If you are eating chicken breast, you can cut it up into strips and make your own chicken fingers - 15 minutes
Mac and Cheese - Boil whole wheat pasta, make your own cheese sauce and hide some veggies in there - 15 minutes
Spaghetti and meatballs - Whole wheat spaghetti, tiny turkey meatballs cooked in a few ounces of canned chunk tomato - 15 minutes
Mashed potatos - no brainer. YOu can also mash cauliflower and turnips, but you'll have to be creative with seasoning the turnips if they don't like the taste
I also make rice and beans every other day. This takes me about twenty minutes, and they are foods that I don't have to watch while they are cooking. She really loves her rice and beans and I make sure to add peas, carrots in the beans. When everything is mixed together, she doesn't know the difference. Sometimes instead of rice, I'll make her quinoa, which is also super easy and quick to make and healthier as well. I put very little salt into her food. With picky eaters, you just have to get a little creative. A lot of people are not willing to do that, but it is totally worth it!0 -
I have a 7 yr old and an 8 yr old and I am trying to teach them healthy eating habits too. I have found that different kinds of turkey sausage brats they love! And I use ground turkey instead of hamburger and they love that too! Yesterday we tried a chicken sausage link with artichoke and asiago cheese in it and it was delicious. As far as sides go I make mashed or baked potatoes or noodles and I generally don't eat much of the sides. My kids also love steamed broccoli and cauliflower, I eat mine with a litte bit of salt and the kids prefer a little bit of shredded cheese on theirs. 0 -
My kids are 3 and 5, and ever since they've been off baby food, we've all eaten the same things. There are occassions when we're eating leftovers and there aren't enough for everyone, so I'll just eat a salad or something, but for the most part, they eat what we eat. I just make fun food for all of us, so it's kid friendly, as well as health-consious. For example - yesterday, I threw 4 chicken breasts into the slowcooker and let it cook all day. Then, when it was nearly dinner time, I shredded it up, dumped a little bbq sauce on it, some lemon juice, a little brown sugar, a bit of ketchup, and a few shots of worchestershire sauce. It was REALLY good, and we ate it on whole wheat buns and had scalloped potatoes with it. The kids had apple straws with it too.
Good luck, but I would say just keep working on them, eventually they'll eat what you eat. Like others have said, if they don't have other options, they won't starve. They will eat it.0 -
No offense to anyone at all, but I am really suprised that so see that people who care about their own bodies are feeding their kids crap food. That is not to say that Easy Mac or Spaghetios should be forbidden, but having it as a daily source of "nutrition" is nuts. My husband and I both work full time and my daughter still eats home cooked meals. She does eat mac and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, and chicken nuggets, but *I* make them and I can control what goes in.
If you are eating chicken breast, you can cut it up into strips and make your own chicken fingers - 15 minutes
Mac and Cheese - Boil whole wheat pasta, make your own cheese sauce and hide some veggies in there - 15 minutes
Spaghetti and meatballs - Whole wheat spaghetti, tiny turkey meatballs cooked in a few ounces of canned chunk tomato - 15 minutes
Mashed potatos - no brainer. YOu can also mash cauliflower and turnips, but you'll have to be creative with seasoning the turnips if they don't like the taste
I also make rice and beans every other day. This takes me about twenty minutes, and they are foods that I don't have to watch while they are cooking. She really loves her rice and beans and I make sure to add peas, carrots in the beans. When everything is mixed together, she doesn't know the difference. Sometimes instead of rice, I'll make her quinoa, which is also super easy and quick to make and healthier as well. I put very little salt into her food. With picky eaters, you just have to get a little creative. A lot of people are not willing to do that, but it is totally worth it!
THANK YOU!!! I was trying to find a nice way to say that exactly, but it wasn't working.
My kids are picky, and they have allergies, (varying degrees of milk and my son is allergic to soy) so cooking for everyone isn't the easiest thing. I don't think its fair that we would feed our bodies healthy and then feed the kids junk that does nothing for them.0 -
No offense to anyone and I know each child is VERY different and I also know a lot of pediatricians suggest feeding underweight picky eaters junk food just to get them to eat. BUT, they do say that it takes 6-8 times of putting a food in front of a child before they might start eating it, and then it's a big "might". But, starting good, healthy eating habits with your children early is so key to ending our obesity epidemic. Feeding your children Easy Mac and hot dogs while you eat something healthy is just sending the wrong message, in my opinion. Give them what you're eating...and then add a little something to the plate that you know they'll eat, like a piece of fruit or something. Your kids won't starve themselves. They'll just eat more at breakfast.
Absolutely... I know little kids are picky eaters and you just wantto get themto eat butremember healthyeating is both a habit and a lifestyle that for best results shouldbe tought froman early age... Why would you worry about eating and being healthy yourself... and not have the same concern regarding your kids... nothing justifies unhealthy eating habits fora kid!!! why don't you spend your nights eating mac&cheese, pizza, hot dogs and frozen tv diners.... BECAUSE IT IS UNHEALTHY!!!!! sooo why would you feed your kids that!!!!
Parenting does not mean giving in to your kids wants ... but looking out for your kids needs..
In my experience after staying strongon the dinner menu for about ten days.... your kid will figure out that he has to eat salads... because mommy won't fix him an easy meal just to get him to eat...
remember good habits start ata young age!!!0 -
Macaroni and Cheese, Hot dog, Sandwich/Chips, Cheese Fries, My 8 year old LOVES Kids Cuisines, Chicken Nuggets ... anything quick and easy.
Hope I helped a little ♥0 -
BUMP0
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No offense to anyone at all, but I am really suprised that so see that people who care about their own bodies are feeding their kids crap food. That is not to say that Easy Mac or Spaghetios should be forbidden, but having it as a daily source of "nutrition" is nuts. My husband and I both work full time and my daughter still eats home cooked meals. She does eat mac and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, and chicken nuggets, but *I* make them and I can control what goes in.
If you are eating chicken breast, you can cut it up into strips and make your own chicken fingers - 15 minutes
Mac and Cheese - Boil whole wheat pasta, make your own cheese sauce and hide some veggies in there - 15 minutes
Spaghetti and meatballs - Whole wheat spaghetti, tiny turkey meatballs cooked in a few ounces of canned chunk tomato - 15 minutes
Mashed potatos - no brainer. YOu can also mash cauliflower and turnips, but you'll have to be creative with seasoning the turnips if they don't like the taste
I also make rice and beans every other day. This takes me about twenty minutes, and they are foods that I don't have to watch while they are cooking. She really loves her rice and beans and I make sure to add peas, carrots in the beans. When everything is mixed together, she doesn't know the difference. Sometimes instead of rice, I'll make her quinoa, which is also super easy and quick to make and healthier as well. I put very little salt into her food. With picky eaters, you just have to get a little creative. A lot of people are not willing to do that, but it is totally worth it!
I agree with this so much.... I quit buying anything canned except for some veggies (no salt) & I prefer the taste of my homemade mac & cheese- it doesn't take that much time to make either. Most of the time I don't give my kids an option(unless they are helping me pick out what to make for dinner)- I make what I make & they either eat it or they don't. Most of the time they decide to eat at least a little. I have one kid that's not picky at all & one that is kind of picky with meats & veggies.0 -
I am lucky my 3 year old will eat anything! I am not a big fan of salads but she can't get enough! She eats everything we eat and my one year old as well. I just make sure they get a little more healthy fats during the day...peanut butter. I really try to avoid giving my girls processed foods because I am changing our lives for the better-healthier.What do you feed your little ones for dinner? I don't mean every night, but like some nights if I want to have a salad, my husband will eat a salad with me...but unfortunately my 3 year old won't. He eats lettuce in things, but he won't eat a salad. I really don't have the time, nor desire, to cook two meals a night, one for us and one for the LO, but I don't want him eating a PB&J every night either. So, any quick easy meal ideas for kiddos on those nights when we are eating salads or something like that?
I hope you find something for your little boy0 -
No offense to anyone at all, but I am really suprised that so see that people who care about their own bodies are feeding their kids crap food. That is not to say that Easy Mac or Spaghetios should be forbidden, but having it as a daily source of "nutrition" is nuts. My husband and I both work full time and my daughter still eats home cooked meals. She does eat mac and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, and chicken nuggets, but *I* make them and I can control what goes in.
If you are eating chicken breast, you can cut it up into strips and make your own chicken fingers - 15 minutes
Mac and Cheese - Boil whole wheat pasta, make your own cheese sauce and hide some veggies in there - 15 minutes
Spaghetti and meatballs - Whole wheat spaghetti, tiny turkey meatballs cooked in a few ounces of canned chunk tomato - 15 minutes
Mashed potatos - no brainer. YOu can also mash cauliflower and turnips, but you'll have to be creative with seasoning the turnips if they don't like the taste
I also make rice and beans every other day. This takes me about twenty minutes, and they are foods that I don't have to watch while they are cooking. She really loves her rice and beans and I make sure to add peas, carrots in the beans. When everything is mixed together, she doesn't know the difference. Sometimes instead of rice, I'll make her quinoa, which is also super easy and quick to make and healthier as well. I put very little salt into her food. With picky eaters, you just have to get a little creative. A lot of people are not willing to do that, but it is totally worth it!
I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!0 -
We keep a stock of Gerber Graduates for toddlers lil' entrees for my FH's 2 yr old daughter. That way if what the family is eating is too tough or something she won't eat we can pop it into the microwave and know shes getting a balanced meal also.0
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I refuse to make two meals, so they eat what I make, or they don't eat. Eventually hunger wins. My kids are a little older (6, 8 and 10), though. I wouldn't be so harsh with a 2 year old.
But seriously, a little creative coddling never hurt. For instance, my 10 year old daughter was easily swayed into eating a lettuce wrap by being told that's how mermaids eat their food. Now anything wrapped in lettuce is dubbed "mermaid style".
For younger kids there is a great episode of Yo Gabba Gabba that deals with trying new foods with a catchy song that repeats, "Try it! You'll like it!" over and over. I highly recommend it, it's a really cute show.0 -
Im going to sound like a mean parent here but when I make dinner....thats dinner. If you don't like it you don't have to eat it but you won't get anything else. I used to give my son whatever he wanted if he didn't want what I was having but I make things that I feel he should at least try. And what do you know? He usually likes things once he has tried them. So that is the rule in our house. You might go to bed hungry one night but the next night before you say I don't like it, I bet you'll try it.
On the other hand if I know it is something he TRULY does not like and I really want to make that for dinner I will make him a baked potato with a turkey sandwich and he is happy as can be. He LOVES potatoes in any way, shape or form. So baked potatoes are my saving grace 0 -
I refuse to make two meals, so they eat what I make, or they don't eat. Eventually hunger wins. My kids are a little older (6, 8 and 10), though. I wouldn't be so harsh with a 2 year old.
But seriously, a little creative coddling never hurt. For instance, my 10 year old daughter was easily swayed into eating a lettuce wrap by being told that's how mermaids eat their food. Now anything wrapped in lettuce is dubbed "mermaid style".
For younger kids there is a great episode of Yo Gabba Gabba that deals with trying new foods with a catchy song that repeats, "Try it! You'll like it!" over and over. I highly recommend it, it's a really cute show.
Good tips! My daughter will eat carb-friendly crab cakes, since I told her that they were Krabby Patties and Spongebob gave me the recipe! lol0 -
bump. My kid is really picky I will fix some thing healthy for dinner which my husband will eat but my daughter wont on some of it.. so I make her some thing else like eggs, or I give her some fruit, yogurt, make a sandiwch some thing she can eat. But she loves dressing so if I put dressing on her plate with little veggies like carrots she will eat it.0
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Although I haven'et read all the posts, I agree, its not right to feed your child junk in order to eat healthy for yourself.
I try to modify what I am eating so we both have the same, for instance last night we had brown rice and chicken and beans, I knew she wouldn't reallly like the chicken and beans that much so I also put some baked beans on her plate which she demolished. I gave her youghurt for afters.
Baked beans on toast is a great standby in our house if I am eating something really child unfriendly, also proper organic child ready means spag bologniase etc are usually pretty good. I am lucky as my daughter eats her main meals at nursery so really just needs a light supper, but she does feel left out if i eat dinner at night and don't give her a proper dinner.
Another one is boiled eggs and toast, but really in general I try to give her pretty much what i have.
There are plenty of healthy meals you don't have to have a salad to be healthy, and I don't think it fair or very kind in reality to focus dinner jsut on what you want and then think of your childs meal as secondary.0 -
I'm kinda mean I guess since I won't make a separate dinner. If we're having salad, they're having salad. We have a one bite rule where they are required to take at least one bite of everything served. After that if they don't want it they aren't required to eat it but the kitchen isn't open for them to scrounge. That said, I try to make sure there are things involved with dinner that do appeal to them. As someone else said, if we're having salad and they aren't fond of lettuce they can eat all the other things in there and skip the lettuce (provided they eat their one bite!)
We've had nights where they will sit and stir their soup around rather than eat it. They won't starve to death if they choose not to eat their dinner and breakfast is free choice so they'll eat then. My kids are now 17 on down to age 7 and all of them eat a variety of foods, many of which they didn't want to touch when they were younger. We have abundance here and can afford to be picky but that's not the case for all of the world. I grew up with times of very little food and remember opening the fridge to see nothing but some ketchup in there. My sister and I watered it down and warmed it up so we could pretend it was tomato soup. It's probably why I'm mean when it comes to food.
I know not everyone will agree with our methods but I'm okay with that since I have kids who will ask for broccoli or brussel sprouts for their special birthday dinner and actually cheer when I tell them we're having salad for dinner. Oh, and they hate mac n cheese if you can believe that!
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On nights like this...chicken nuggets, hot dogs, or grilled cheese...add a veggie and a piece of whole wheat bread and butter...VOILA!0
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My son also loves pita and hummus which is super easy.0
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