18 months and won't eat meat/beans...HELP!

ewj321 · April 2014

My 18 month old was a really good eater when we first started solids (all kinds of fruits and vegetables). Now she eats all fruits, a few veggies, cheese, yogurt and drinks milk. I figured out that I can get her to eat more veggies by putting them in smoothies. When I make meat or beans she usually just picks them up and throws them on the floor without even trying them. I have tried pulled chicken/pork, small cut up pieces, chicken nuggets, meat balls...all failed. I would love some suggestions on how you get protein in your childrn.

LSU628 · April 2014

It's pretty normal for this age. DD did it and DS is as well. Our pedi said there are a lot of factors at play- they need less calories as their growth is slowing, toddler just become picky, and throw in teething and it really stunts their eating.

smileybabyboy · April 2014

Have you tried hummus? There are also recipes for bean spreads you could put on sandwiches or just bread. Beans are also easy to puree and hide in other foods if you want to sneak them in. Have you tried ground beef/turkey in casseroles or lasagna, etc?

DanandVan · April 2014

Maybe a budding vegetarian?

Try steamed edamame, greek yogurt, tofu, lentils - I never liked meat (am still vegetarian). No need to worry!

pb_bride · April 2014

DS is 17m and he's still hit-or-miss on meat. My advice is to keep trying. DS now eats shredded chicken usually (I poach them so they are moist). He actually loves duck but I don't buy/make it too often. Pulled pork - maybe - depends on the sauce. He doesn't like ground pork or ground beef. He is reluctant to eat beef burgers (he may take a bite, then spit it out). Fish is also a hit-or-miss. He actually liked shredded goat meat a lot last summer/fall, but I can't get any goat meat right now until our farmers market comes back in the summer.

As for beans, DS refused to eat them until about 3 weeks ago. I made a white bean/kale/chorizo soup and he all of a sudden started eating them.

Have you tried tofu? DS loves tofu.

As others said, DS gets his proteins mostly from yogurt and WCM. I make him a smoothie daily with yogurt and WCM. Some days he gets hummus at snack time, or almond butter.

How about eggs? DS doesn't like eggs (scrambled, HB). But if your LO does, eggs are a great source of protein.

christinasullie37 · April 2014

Sorry no advice bur your not alone. Dd won't eat beans, meat, peanut butter, hummus, cottage cheese and all the ither usuall protein sources. Basically just eggs and chobani greek yogurt and cheese. I am not worried though. We also give her a vitamin with iron as well

gigantan · April 2014

My DD1 went through a phase like this. The best advice is to continue to offer the foods you eat for meals and eventually she will try meats/beans again. I was convinced we would have to take her to a feeding specialist but her food restriction/refusal only lasted about 3 weeks. She is 22 months now and eats everything she refused during that phase.

Scrambled eggs got us through it. Also, cottage cheese with fruit was another meal she ate readily then. Dairy is a source of protein so it is ok if she refuses meats now.

GL!

lifeinthedreamhouse · April 2014

My DD did this too. Just turned 2 and still won't touch meat. Our pedi said it's not the protein but the iron we need to be concerned about so make sure to feed iron rich foods like spinach. Good luck.

emberlee3 · April 2014

DS was a fruititarian as a toddler. His only protein was from milk, cheese and yogurt. He still doesn't like beans (age 4.5 yrs now). He eats a few meats: chicken tenders, baked chicken legs, turkey sausage, turkey burgers. He is very selective and has to see something dozens of times before trying it. I don't worry about it. As long as I serve a variety of foods, he is still being exposed to and watching the rest of the family enjoy different foods. He will try them when he is ready.

twinkletoes3126 · April 2014

If you are concerned about iron intake, some of the Earths Best brand foods are a good source of iron. Their french toast is 45% DV, their granola bars are 25% DV, and their waffles are also 25%. Also, rice cereal or oatmeal are a good source of iron. Spinach too.

MommyAtty · April 2014

LaurenAnthony2009 said:

If you are concerned about iron intake, some of the Earths Best brand foods are a good source of iron. Their french toast is 45% DV, their granola bars are 25% DV, and their waffles are also 25%. Also, rice cereal or oatmeal are a good source of iron. Spinach too.

Thank you for this! We really don't eat beef at all, and I started this morning stressing about iron. DD is an oatmeal fiend and eats granola bars too. I'm going to double-check the labels, but at least I'm not panicking as much now.

twinkletoes3126 · April 2014

MommyAtty said:

LaurenAnthony2009 said:

If you are concerned about iron intake, some of the Earths Best brand foods are a good source of iron. Their french toast is 45% DV, their granola bars are 25% DV, and their waffles are also 25%. Also, rice cereal or oatmeal are a good source of iron. Spinach too.

Thank you for this! We really don't eat beef at all, and I started this morning stressing about iron. DD is an oatmeal fiend and eats granola bars too. I'm going to double-check the labels, but at least I'm not panicking as much now.

Glad I could help! Just as an FYI the only place I can find the French toast and waffles is Target. I order the granola bars from amazon.

minervacullen · April 2014

I'm allergic to beef and have several other food allergies and intolerances. My parents said I always complained about beef. My instincts were telling me not to eat it, but the forced me to. I'd get sick and they thought I was being dramatic. My point is, your kid may not like a certain food for a reason.

I eat a lot if veggies and take vitamins to help with missing nutrients.

Daisy622 · April 2014

Have you tried seafood? Mine is hit or miss on meat but loves fish. Salmon seems to be her favorite but she has also really enjoyed mahi-mahi, flounder, and tilapia. I usually just bake/roast/briol and she seems to enjoy it.

sunshinedaisies · April 2014

I didn't read the other suggestions, but throw some hemp seeds in the smoothies. Avocados, spinach, peanut/almond butter and many other foods are high in protein. It's not necessary to get it from animals or beans.

lupineaura · April 2014

My daughter also has a rough time with meat, but we recently discovered she LOVES chicken when it has been cooked in soup.

divajackie67 · April 2014

I don't stress about nutrition on a per day basis.

Somedays my son will pick off all of the meat on his plate and only eat the vegetables. Somedays he only eats the meat. Over the course of a week I just try to make sure all meals are healthy and have variety. We serve what we eat and I don't force him to eat any part of it. He's growing, gaining, and healthy and that is all that matters.

When/If I am worried a protein food that is ALWAYS a hit in my house is Almond butter.

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18 months and won't eat meat/beans...HELP!

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