Does anyones 2 year old eat their meat & vegies!?? How?

[Jac]

My 2 year old used to eat everything really well. He has now decided he has a mind of his own and won't eat any vegies (and most meats), except potatoes and sometimes peas. It really worries me that he is not getting them anymore. I keep presenting them on his plate and try not to make a big deal of food when he doesn't eat it but it still worries me. He also only eats chicken and is not fussed on other meats (including sausages, mince, nuggets, fish) so I can't hide the veggies in meat dishes. I do not give options when he doesn't eat his tea, although I do let him have some yoghurt/custard after dinner. We limit snacks before tea so he is usually somewhat hungry. He has never been highly motivated by food.

How are others getting their 2 year olds to eat a variety of food?

[skybie]

DD used to eat anything then at around 2 she just stopped and has only recently started eating anything again, like u i always offered vege's and never made a fuss about them if she did or didnt eat them, the only difference is if she didnt eat her tea i didnt offer her anything else after it, besides her milk drink before bed.
At DD's child care they stopped offering custard after lunch because the kids wouldnt eat lunch because they knew custard was coming

[Trillian]

I can get my 19mo to eat more vege if it is mixed with pasta and with a cheese/white sauce. I also add some chicken this way too and he will eat it. You could try making patties/croquettes and adding the vege that way - this has also worked for us. If I serve up meat and vege on a plate, he will only eat the meat, plus maybe a few peas and carrots. One thing he really does like is the rafferty's veges in the squeezie packs as I don't think he realises they are vege LOL - I think he thinks they are the fruit ones which he loves.

Another thing too is that my DS is more receptive to eating a bigger meal at lunchtime, so often he will have his main meal at lunch and then only a light supper before bed. that might be something you can try too.

[skybie]

One thing he really does like is the rafferty's veges in the squeezie packs as I don't think he realises they are vege LOL - I think he thinks they are the fruit ones which he loves.

DD was the same she love love loved the carrot based one from rafferty's but would refuse to even touch a steamed carrot slice!
They're a fantastic thing i think its more the enjoyment of how they actually ?at'it than whats actually in it

[ubba82]

Hi Jac, my DS is the same but we have been struggleing for almost 2 years! DS' fav food used to be spag bol. I would grate up carrott and zucchini and add a tin of tomatos for some sort of vegies, now he wont even eat that. Most nights I end up feeding him or else he doesnt have anything. Sometimes I get so cross that if he doesnt eat it himself then he does miss out all together....

DS really loves fruit, so as long as he is eating that through the day it doesnt really matter about the vegies.

Just a thought, could you give him his main meal at lunch time and just a sandwich and yoghurt/custard at dinner time? He might be more inclined to eat at this time when he isnt so tired from being busy ALL day.

HTH!

[Lisa]

I'm guessing that it is a stage in their development because my DS and other's his age are going throught the same thing. I too offer it at every meal but he still resists... it is mainly the vegies he isn't eating... my DH can seem to get him to eat little bits though by pretending the spoon is a plane, car, truck whatever to get it into his mouth.

[spooky]

Sausage rolls and meatballs are a good way to hide grated vegies - I even grate cauli and broccoli as well as the usual suspects to try and get more variety in there.

[Nai]

Yep - at 20 months DD1 decided she would only eat PLAIN pasta so I got the stuffed ravioli things and tricked her into eating meat and veg that way - they do a roast veg one which is nice. I also started giving her a tasting plate with pasta, cheese and cut up vegies etc and let her pick and choose what she wanted to eat from the plate. She now eats everything again so I think it is just a phase at that age.

[young_mumma87]

OMG i dont have any answers but im glad im not the only mother concerned bout this my almost 2yr has gone off meat and vegies!! its driving me insane coz i plan out meals and then he doesnt eat it he still eats fruit during the day and the docter said that he wil get over just keep offering it to him....so if any one does have a miricale cure for this i will be interesred!!!

[echidna]

My DD did the same thing. Atm she lives with her dad (family court issues) so I'm not really sure what she eats as he's vegetarian (I really hope she eats fish and meat).