What about this dinner scenario?

shopgirl78

This has become ever so popular in our house.  Tonight DS1 (my pickiest eater & little guy- 29 lbs at 3.5) asked for salad like his sister.   I asked him several times, are you sure you are going to eat it?  My better judgement knew he wasn't going to eat it. But who wants to deny a healthy salad to kid that asking for it?  He gets his salad. I got him to take one bite and that was it.  I wasn't to hard on him tonight and the last few days because he has ran a fever for the last 6 days (ended yesterday).  He's been pretty sick but he started this before he was sick.  So, what do you do when DC ask for food and then doesn't eat it?  

(I generally save his meals and hope he picks at them along the way)... 

JOEBunny

I have this problem too.  DS wants everything DS has, but won't eat it, even the treats.  I waste so much food.  I look forward to seeing if anyone has a solution that doesn't involve an endless temper tantrum in place of meal time.  Even worse, DS will put the food in his mouth, then take it back out and hand it to me.

J&A2008

I wouldn't sweat it.  They say it takes kids trying things a zillion times before they like them.  If you make the salad a big fight, do you think he's going to ask for it again???  If you want to encourage healthy eating, don't insist on a clean plate and don't make food a war.

shopgirl78

J&A2008:

I wouldn't sweat it.  They say it takes kids trying things a zillion times before they like them.  If you make the salad a big fight, do you think he's going to ask for it again???  If you want to encourage healthy eating, don't insist on a clean plate and don't make food a war.

I don't want to make it a fight at all but he will do this with pop tarts too (one of his favorites).  He wants two pop tarts but he hardly finishes one pop tart.  We waste a lot of food.   I just hate being so wasteful...

J&A2008

I would have absolutely no problem with saying no to two pop tarts...

I think it's great he asked for salad.  I think that's the kind of thing you want to encourage him to ask for.

Starr57

We live by the 3 bite rule. If you want it, you must take 3 bites. The only caveat to this is when he eats something and it literally makes him gag.

Littlejen22

I don't have much advice but I just suggest not making a big deal or you are likely to cause issues.  But I am pretty lenient, I am not going to force my kid to eat something especially if they tried it and do not want more...just no junk food for a snack.

shouldbworkin

DS is super picky and will do this from time to time too.  I've learned to give him a very small amount and just leave him be.  Any pushing on my end makes him resistant to trying new things.  I'm just happy that he *thinks* he wants to try something new and consider that a step in the right direction.  And, I always give him a little bit b/c I want him to know that he can always ask to try something new.  I also never tell him that he won't like it.  I just act really low key about the whole thing, like it's a normal every day request.

goodheartedmommy

I put 2-3 bites on their plate. Not so much that we're dealing with food being wasted, but enough. It's awesome that he's wanting to try it!