I'm trying hard, REAL HARD, to feed Little Bean what we eat at dinner. That's it. End of story. Case closed.
I make chicken, broccoli and noodles. He gets chicken, broccoli and noodles. I make hamburgers, beans and corn. He gets hamburger, beans and corn.
It sounds so easy, right?
Yet my mom worry kicks in.
Well if he doesn't eat the chicken then he's not getting protein? He really needs protein, right? What if he doesn't eat the broccoli? He needs to eat more vegetables especially since he won't eat fruit. What if he won't eat at all? I can't send him to bed hungry. He's too little!
I can't be the only mom with this train of thought during meal times.
Can I?
I'm guessing no. So let me share a dinner story from the other night.
Click here for recipe if you are curious.
On paper it's the perfect toddler meal--soft potatoes and carrots, melt in your mouth beef. All easily chewed for a molar-less kid or mashed IF he'd actually eat off a spoon which he won't.
So I cut up small pieces of carrot, sweet potato, potato and beef. I put it on a plate in front of him.
All he wanted was the plate.
Soooo I dumped the food on the table and he sat there with the pieces all in arms reach.
He looked at Daddy who was eating. He looked at Mommy who was eating. He looked at Big Brother who. was. eating.
We were all eating except for Little Bean who poked at, squished, and threw the small pieces that were in front of him.
I said to the husband,
"Maybe I should get him some beans. He always eats beans. He needs to eat."
But, for a change, the husband was the voice of reason.
"No. Let him go. He'll eat if he's hungry."
"You're right."
By this time the rest of us were pretty much done, but we stayed at the table and talked about our day. Ignoring Little Bean and his silent protest of dinner.
All of a sudden…
He started eating!
Almost with an expression of, "Fine Mom, you WIN."
To which I say,
"Yes, Yes I did."
And to think, I almost gave in.
Self, repeat after me... Must remember this at meal times. Must remember this at meal times. 🙂
.
Amy @ A Little Nosh
As long as my son drinks a full glass of milk, I try not to give in to making him different food. It's hard, though, to not give in, especially because he's so skinny to begin with.
Monica
You are not the only one with these food issues!! My 10 month old decided about a month ago that she won't eat pureed food - has to be finger food. No biggie right? Wrong. She is incredibly picky - no fruit, only certain veggies (potatoes, tomatoes & avocadoes), cheese & no meat.
I usually cave & give her tomatoes all day long if she won't eat anything else. Poor kid is gonna turn red soon!
Alison
I REALLY appreciate this post! I have a very picky 3 year old at home... I'm "made" him that way, I'm sure. He gets his "own" dinner every night - its healthy and balanced, and something I know he will eat. We've got another baby on the way... I VOW to make this one's eating habit more healthy... and NOT be making seperate family meals!
Melanie
Unfortunately - it's hard to predict what the right move is. My son never wanted "toddler food" - always wanted what we were eating. So that's what we did - and to my joy - he ate it. All of it - veggies, pasta, meat, potatoes.
That was then.
Now - he's the pickiest 7 year old on the planet. I think he's got texture issues ... or something. He will eat steak off the grill - but won't eat a roast from the crockpot, no chicken, no pasta, no veggies. No potatoes. Don't try to give him anything with a sauce. No soup. I LOVE to make soup. Today he might eat a cheeseburger I make at home - tomorrow is another story.
It's tough to be true to what you know is the right thing to do.
Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life
OMG my husband and I struggle with this all the time....okay so it's only me. My hubby has the same thoughts as your hubby - he'll eat when he's hungry. I know that to be true, but sometimes I'll let the mom guilt creep in and worry about the "what ifs." Thanks for this post, Roni! I needed this reminder!
Leanne
@Josie - There's plenty of protein in things other than meat and I don't just mean beans. Vegetables and fruit all contain protein. Your child will be fine even if all he eats is non-meat products!
Eileen
Toddlers don't tend to like meat. I think that probably means that they don't really need it that much then. My friend's 7 month old has decided that she LOOOOVES anything other people are eating, and refused to ever eat baby foot. It's awesome. They have a grinder, and grind up their food and she's happy as a clam. She hated the smooth texture of baby food. Oh, and she always hate fruit. I think it's awesome because a kid withOUT a taste for sugar? Awesome in my book. I wish I hated sugar!!
you rock...chill out 🙂
Josie @ Skinny Way Of Life
Oh Roni I feel your pain! I go through this daily with my 2yr. old. I'm a firm believer in eat whats in front of you or go hungry. period. Well the only problem is my 2 yr. old won't eat meat of any kind even if I put it in very small pieces he'll pick it out so then I start worrying.."he can't just eat rice or pasta" what about the protein!? my 5 yr. old is a total meat and potato girl (oh yeh, the toddler won't eat potatoes either!) my meals usually consist of a meat/bean grain or pasta. it's frustrating!!!! I have noticed if I let him out of his high chair and put his bowl at "the big table" he'll come back and eat.every time. and yet I still freak out at meal time lol ah the life of a mom : )