Running out of meal ideas

Heyjordynhey · January 2014

I know this has probably been discussed before. But I feel like ds is getting bored with his meals. And I'm running out of ideas of stuff to make. Esp for breakfast. Any ideas?

MrsLele · January 2014

Breakfast is either oatmeal, waffles, or scrambled eggs with spinach, and always some kind of fruit. Lunch is typically whatever I am eating, smoothie or yogurt, pita with egg salad or cream cheese, bell peppers and cucumbers, sometimes dinner leftovers, etc... Dinner is usually whatever we eat, veggie risotto, turkey veggie meatloaf, pasta, etc. Tonight we had stuffed peppers! If we are having takeout or meat that she can't eat, I will make her butternut squash Mac and cheese or something similar.

fusionbride · January 2014

breakfast is always yogurt, cut up fresh fruit, and then something else: old fashioned oatmeal with either raisins, blueberries, cooked apples, cooked peaches (i use the frozen ones), purreed pumpkin or bananas mixed in, muffins, toast with peanut butter or cream cheese, scrambled eggs either plain or with green onion, cheese, mushrooms, spinach or other stuff mixed in, pancakes, french toast, crepes, fritattas, quiche, dry cheerios, etc

for other meals, she usually gets some steamed veggies (broccoli, sweet potato, carrots, peas and squash are our staples), fruit (oranges, kiwi, steamed apple and bananas are the staples right now), cubed tofu (with terriyaki sauce) sometimes a sandwich, and then whatever we are having.

I always feel like I'm in a rut with things we cook for all of us, so peruse the internet for ideas every so often. Staples are spaghetti, Thai curry, and stir fry, and burritos. then I try to rotate in something new when I can-- this month it is salmon, lasagna and lentil/barley/mushroom stew in the slow cooker...

[Deleted User] · January 2014

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pb_bride · January 2014

DS still nurses first thing in the morning, so DS doesn't eat much at breakfast and I don't worry about it. Breakfast is always fresh seasonal fruits - I like to offer 2-3 different kinds - lately it is pears, kiwis, pineapple, grapes, cantaloupe, persimmons. Plus a grain, usually plain cheerios. On weekends we may have a treat like homemade muffins or pancakes. I don't like packaged things like frozen pancakes or waffles, as those tend to be high in salt. I also make the 2-ingredient banana pancakes sometimes, and I freeze them so they can be a breakfast treat.

Lunch is usually leftover dinner from the night before. Dinner is whatever I cook for the 3 of us.

I used to NOT do lunch leftovers, but I ended up being in a rut and feeding DS the same lunch day in, day out. Giving him leftovers actually provides more variety for him and less work for me. Moreover, he gets a second chance on foods he might not have touched/eaten the night before. There have been many times that he refused to eat a certain food at dinner, but when re-offered at lunch the next day, he was willing to try it.

Heyjordynhey · January 2014

Another question that I feel goes along with this. Ds isn't a fan of fruits or veggies. I've tried getting them into his body so many different ways and nothing is working. I give him either a fruit or veggie at every meal so he has it to eat if he wants but he almost never eats it. I'm in such a rut I don't know what to do and I know he needs these things but I don't want to force him to eat... Please help!

[Deleted User] · January 2014

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Heyjordynhey · January 2014

He will sometimes. It just depends on his mood. Most times no, but I bought some of the pasta that is made out of veggies vs grains so I'm going to try that today in hopes that he likes it. As far as smoothies I haven't tried. What kind of stuff would you put in it? Would you just blend it really smooth and put it in a sippy?

LimaD · January 2014

Heyjordynhey said:

Another question that I feel goes along with this. Ds isn't a fan of fruits or veggies. I've tried getting them into his body so many different ways and nothing is working. I give him either a fruit or veggie at every meal so he has it to eat if he wants but he almost never eats it. I'm in such a rut I don't know what to do and I know he needs these things but I don't want to force him to eat... Please help!

I'm kind of in the same position with DD! She doesn't really like veggies other than peas and sweet potatoes. I've tried countless ways of preparing other veggies and she always throws it. But one thing I've found that has worked is little egg muffins. Does your DS like eggs?
Basically, I mix eggs, cheese, and vegetables (like broccoli) and bake in muffin tins. She gobbles them up! I've also seen recipes for pancakes that have vegetable purees in them. I'm trying to find more options where the vegetables aren't "hidden" though

Heyjordynhey · January 2014

LimaD said:

Heyjordynhey said:

Another question that I feel goes along with this. Ds isn't a fan of fruits or veggies. I've tried getting them into his body so many different ways and nothing is working. I give him either a fruit or veggie at every meal so he has it to eat if he wants but he almost never eats it. I'm in such a rut I don't know what to do and I know he needs these things but I don't want to force him to eat... Please help!

I'm kind of in the same position with DD! She doesn't really like veggies other than peas and sweet potatoes. I've tried countless ways of preparing other veggies and she always throws it. But one thing I've found that has worked is little egg muffins. Does your DS like eggs?
Basically, I mix eggs, cheese, and vegetables (like broccoli) and bake in muffin tins. She gobbles them up! I've also seen recipes for pancakes that have vegetable purees in them. I'm trying to find more options where the vegetables aren't "hidden" though

I'm going to try that! He loves eggs so this is a must try. What temp and for how long do you bake them for? & is it something I can make a bunch of and just reheat?

Yeah same here, he used to like green beans but only when I would feed them to him now it's nothing. I'll give him fruit and grain bars with breakfast or give him bannan flavored puffs but idk if that counts as true fruit. He just doesn't hVe a interest in it

[Deleted User] · January 2014

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Heyjordynhey · January 2014

As soon as ds wakes up from his nap, I'm going to the store to get some stuff for a smoothie! Would that be his breakfast or would you give him something else as well? I'm excited to try it!!

[Deleted User] · January 2014

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LimaD · January 2014

Heyjordynhey said:

Heyjordynhey said:

Another question that I feel goes along with this. Ds isn't a fan of fruits or veggies. I've tried getting them into his body so many different ways and nothing is working. I give him either a fruit or veggie at every meal so he has it to eat if he wants but he almost never eats it. I'm in such a rut I don't know what to do and I know he needs these things but I don't want to force him to eat... Please help!

I'm kind of in the same position with DD! She doesn't really like veggies other than peas and sweet potatoes. I've tried countless ways of preparing other veggies and she always throws it. But one thing I've found that has worked is little egg muffins. Does your DS like eggs?
Basically, I mix eggs, cheese, and vegetables (like broccoli) and bake in muffin tins. She gobbles them up! I've also seen recipes for pancakes that have vegetable purees in them. I'm trying to find more options where the vegetables aren't "hidden" though
I'm going to try that! He loves eggs so this is a must try. What temp and for how long do you bake them for? & is it something I can make a bunch of and just reheat? Yeah same here, he used to like green beans but only when I would feed them to him now it's nothing. I'll give him fruit and grain bars with breakfast or give him bannan flavored puffs but idk if that counts as true fruit. He just doesn't hVe a interest in it

I use 2 eggs, a little over 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and idk how much broccoli but it usually makes around 6 "muffins." Bake at 400 degrees for about 18 minutes. She usually eats 2 in one sitting. And yep it reheats well

Hope he likes them!

fusionbride · January 2014

Heyjordynhey said:

Heyjordynhey said:

Another question that I feel goes along with this. Ds isn't a fan of fruits or veggies. I've tried getting them into his body so many different ways and nothing is working. I give him either a fruit or veggie at every meal so he has it to eat if he wants but he almost never eats it. I'm in such a rut I don't know what to do and I know he needs these things but I don't want to force him to eat... Please help!

I'm kind of in the same position with DD! She doesn't really like veggies other than peas and sweet potatoes. I've tried countless ways of preparing other veggies and she always throws it. But one thing I've found that has worked is little egg muffins. Does your DS like eggs?
Basically, I mix eggs, cheese, and vegetables (like broccoli) and bake in muffin tins. She gobbles them up! I've also seen recipes for pancakes that have vegetable purees in them. I'm trying to find more options where the vegetables aren't "hidden" though
I'm going to try that! He loves eggs so this is a must try. What temp and for how long do you bake them for? & is it something I can make a bunch of and just reheat? Yeah same here, he used to like green beans but only when I would feed them to him now it's nothing. I'll give him fruit and grain bars with breakfast or give him bannan flavored puffs but idk if that counts as true fruit. He just doesn't hVe a interest in it

Those do NOT count as fruit. They are empty calories as far as I am concerned and just get LO preferring overly-sweet foods-- they are harming your cause rather than helping. Just keep offering real, whole, fresh fruits and veggies, and reduce the amount of empty calories you are offering. The biggest predictor of food intake at this age is hunger, so offer real fruit and veggies first, then after he is done with those, offer your dairy and whole grains. Do NOT offer bars and puffs-- if he refused the fruits, veggies, whole grains and dairy, then wait until the next meal and offer again-- he eventually will eat them.

my LO prefers steamed, soft fruits and veggies: broccoli, sweet potato, cauliflower, squash, spinach are fav veggies, or integrate them into dishes (casseroles, mixed in with pastas, soups, stews etc go over well for us). I steam apples, peaches, pears, and offer most other fruits cut-up and fresh.

LimaD · January 2014

fusionbride said:

Heyjordynhey said:

Heyjordynhey said:

Another question that I feel goes along with this. Ds isn't a fan of fruits or veggies. I've tried getting them into his body so many different ways and nothing is working. I give him either a fruit or veggie at every meal so he has it to eat if he wants but he almost never eats it. I'm in such a rut I don't know what to do and I know he needs these things but I don't want to force him to eat... Please help!

I'm kind of in the same position with DD! She doesn't really like veggies other than peas and sweet potatoes. I've tried countless ways of preparing other veggies and she always throws it. But one thing I've found that has worked is little egg muffins. Does your DS like eggs?
Basically, I mix eggs, cheese, and vegetables (like broccoli) and bake in muffin tins. She gobbles them up! I've also seen recipes for pancakes that have vegetable purees in them. I'm trying to find more options where the vegetables aren't "hidden" though
I'm going to try that! He loves eggs so this is a must try. What temp and for how long do you bake them for? & is it something I can make a bunch of and just reheat? Yeah same here, he used to like green beans but only when I would feed them to him now it's nothing. I'll give him fruit and grain bars with breakfast or give him bannan flavored puffs but idk if that counts as true fruit. He just doesn't hVe a interest in it

Those do NOT count as fruit. They are empty calories as far as I am concerned and just get LO preferring overly-sweet foods-- they are harming your cause rather than helping. Just keep offering real, whole, fresh fruits and veggies, and reduce the amount of empty calories you are offering. The biggest predictor of food intake at this age is hunger, so offer real fruit and veggies first, then after he is done with those, offer your dairy and whole grains. Do NOT offer bars and puffs-- if he refused the fruits, veggies, whole grains and dairy, then wait until the next meal and offer again-- he eventually will eat them.

my LO prefers steamed, soft fruits and veggies: broccoli, sweet potato, cauliflower, squash, spinach are fav veggies, or integrate them into dishes (casseroles, mixed in with pastas, soups, stews etc go over well for us). I steam apples, peaches, pears, and offer most other fruits cut-up and fresh.

I agree. Bananas are DD's FAVORITE fruit. She also really likes pears and peaches. We save puffs for "distraction" when we're out and about or in a social situation where she needs a quick snack to hold her over until a decent meal can be given. Your DS will probably try to hold out for you to give in and give him his puffs and bars but just refuse to give in for a week or so, and he'll probably give up and start trying the fresh food you are giving him instead.

pb_bride · January 2014

Heyjordynhey said:

Another question that I feel goes along with this. Ds isn't a fan of fruits or veggies. I've tried getting them into his body so many different ways and nothing is working. I give him either a fruit or veggie at every meal so he has it to eat if he wants but he almost never eats it. I'm in such a rut I don't know what to do and I know he needs these things but I don't want to force him to eat... Please help!

Regarding fruits, just wondering how many different kinds of fruits you have tried? Luckily, DS loves fruits these days, but when he was younger, he was pickier. My suggestion is to keep offering different kinds of fruits and see if you can get him to try/like some. Throughout the year, depending on the season, we do:

pears, kiwis, cantaloupe, pineapple, strawberries, mangoes, peaches, plums, persimmons, watermelon, honeydew, grapes

As for smoothie, I make it daily for DS, but that is because he won't eat yogurt on its own, so I mix frozen fruits + yogurt + WCM in the smoothie for him.

smileybabyboy · January 2014

Heyjordynhey said:

Another question that I feel goes along with this. Ds isn't a fan of fruits or veggies. I've tried getting them into his body so many different ways and nothing is working. I give him either a fruit or veggie at every meal so he has it to eat if he wants but he almost never eats it. I'm in such a rut I don't know what to do and I know he needs these things but I don't want to force him to eat... Please help!

DS doesn't eat a lot of veggies. So I am still pureeing them and putting them in everything. I'll put a thin layer in his grilled cheese, or quesadillas, add some to pasta sauce, scrambled eggs, pancakes, meatloaf, soup, etc. DS really likes veggie burgers so you can try those or make your own.

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