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Toddlers: 24 Months+
Kingston54
member
Anyone whose toddler just isn't interested in eating?
Kingston54
member
My DS can't be bothered with food. He likes candy and goodies, but doesn't really ask for them.
When it comes to meals, he could easily skip eating and not notice. He likes fresh fruits, and vegetables and a few other things like plain pasta, waffles, oatmeal and an occasional PB&J sandwich.
He really won't eat anything else - no pizza, no mac & cheese, no meat, etc.
I don't know what to do to get him to eat more "regularly". Some people have suggested I present him with the dinner option and if he doesn't like it, he goes to be hungry and he'll eat when he is hungry. But I really think he'll hold out til he gets something he likes. And I feel bad forcing him because he really prefers healthier food.
The problem is when we go out to eat, most places do not have fresh fruit options on their menu. And for example, tonight for Christmas Eve - he's not going to like anything that my MIL will have there (appetizers, crabmeat, mac&cheese, etc).
I welcome any advice, thank you 
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Re: Anyone whose toddler just isn't interested in eating?
Recommend bringing at least a snack in your purse that you know he will eat... Maybe appleslices or a cup of plain applesauce.
DD1 will completely skip meals. I tend to say, "it's this or nothing" and maybe she'll pick one or two things off the plate and that's it. She likes a range of foods, so it's not a matter of her not liking what's on the plate.
It's been really hot here, so I wondered if that was the issue.
Yesterday I said she needed to eat lots of different foods to grow big and strong, and she told me she didn't want to grow big because then I wouldn't be able to pick her up and carry her.
Somedays it feels like all she's eaten is 3 blueberries and a piece of carrot. I honestly don't know how she exists. She's good-humoured, energetic, rarely sick, and growing out of clothes, so for the moment I'm not too worried about her, and just keep offering a range of foods.
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
I have a similar eater--my daughter loves fruits, veggies and cereal but eats nothing with any protein. She has a limited appetite so she's fine holding out if I tell her no food. Since her weight is low I really can't do that strategy with her.
We started on feeding therapy with her with an OT since she has some sensory issues which may be driving her dislike for most foods. The first thing they told me to do was to greatly reduce her food/milk intake. Lots of time kids get full on water and milk is really filling so they don't have to eat much else. We keep milk to 16oz a day and 2oz cups of water during snacktime/between meals if she's thirsty. Kids need a lot less fluid than we think they do, especially in winter when they're not sweating.
The next thing they suggested was to give her food five times a day at her high chair on a schedule (3 meals/2 snacks). No snacking anywhere else but there. Feedings every 2 hours might help boost appetite. My DD would eat a huge banana for breakfast which was great since fruit is healthy, but it kept her full enough to hold out from eating anything else. We give her half that now and encourage a mid morning snack.
Also, a lot of people overemphasize what kids need to eat. They told me for my DD's age she should be eating 2 tablespoons of a food (whether it be meat/fruit). When I measured out some meat it was practically nothing it seemed! I got so spoiled with my son who eats like an adult that I didn't realize how little kids actually need.
Another strategy that's important is offering less desired foods at every meal. My DD doesn't like meat so there's a tbsp on her plate 5 times a day. Even if LO just plays with the food there, it's a step in the right direction. With my older child we tell him he needs lots of foods to grow big and that he has to try everything on his plate. He might not eat everything but we reward him from trying and never force him to eat something he doesn't like. A lot of times kids need to be exposed to something 10+ times to actually try it and even more until it becomes part of their diet. Don't give up on the foods he refuses.
Thanks for the replies. I got a couple ideas but he definitely doesn't like meat, I hope he doesn't have sensory issues, I'll have to bring this up at his next doctor appointment, just in case.