2yo not eating a balanced diet?

[Nettie]

Both DH and I are getting worried that our DS doesn't eat a balanced diet.

He doesn't like fruit (but neither does my DH) - although he did eat a couple of pieces of apple the other day and does eat the odd sultana.

He will only eat veggies IN something (like curry or pasta sauce). Won't have a bar of a piece of veggie on a plate... just not interested!

He loves cheese, bread, peanut butter, cruskits, sultana bran , and the rafferty's garden apple fruit bars. Oh - and tomato sauce! He also really loves curry, pasta and any rice stuff.

Tonight DH and I tried to 'force' him to eat some veggies... we even put cream cheese and sauce with them, but he got quite upset and when I managed to get some in his mouth, he retched!

Are we doing something wrong?? Should we force the issue or should we just let him come around in his own time? At a loss here and could really use the advice of this wonderful community!

[Junglemum]

Sound perfectly normal to me. My DD1 is exactly the same. I keep offering and don't make a big deal out of it. I hide veggies and fruit in things, especially smoothies, she loves them. She is getting better at trying things. I tell her she has to try it and then if she doesn't like it she doesn't have to eat it. IT seems quite common amongst friends kids at this age, i'm not worried too much about it just yet.

[Olive]

i would force it either!!

my girls love pasta sauce made from steamed vegies and pureed with cream and or avocado!

[Nettie]

Thanks so much for your replies.

We've always gone along with gentle parenting, but are worried we're creating a spoilt brat I'm just not sure if I should have been stricter to begin with or if it would have made any difference!

I appreciate any suggestions.. thank you all!

[Olive]

another thing is what i suggested but puree the vegies then add to a white sauce!

[Junglemum]

i made pizza with DD1 the other day, she did it all herself and then ate it. She ate lots of things she wouldn't normally. So maybe try getting your DS involved with the food a bit more.

[Kmn]

I think that they do return to a variety eventually. We had 6 months of the only vege being tomato pasta sauce or peas. Now he'll try a few more things!
Have you tried canned fruit like diced peaches rather than normal fruit?
If you are concerned then maybe get some sort of toddler vitamin supplement - but forcing the issue will only make things worse.

[~Kim~]

nah, he's being two. AmberJ described it well the other day. She said that at that age, one of the few things they have control of is what goes in their mouths...and they push the boundaries to the max to exercise that control.
The fact that he'll eat a curry is encouraging....not many kids will.

[~clover~]

Well, my kids have always liked fruit, so I'm not too worried there, although it took DD2 a long time to eat them. DD1 never ate vegies as a kid, but now, at 8 will eat carrot, corn, capsicum, lettuce & a few other salady type things. She actually likes broccoli & cauliflour if you catch her on a good day! Oh & avocado !
These are things I never expected my kids to like, coz other than carrot & corn they were not served up to us as kids.

DD2 is impossible with vegies. So when I can I'll make something with mince & puree some vegies in it. Its the only way at the moment. & thats for a kid who I used to cook & mash all her vegies myself. Potato, broccoli, couliflour, zuccini, squash... She ate all those til she was about 12 months, or even older, but refuses now!

DS is my best eater, least fussy, but also won't touch a veggie. Unless its hidden. Which has to be better than nothing. & he was/is BLS fed. He pretty much eats everything but veggies! Will try the odd carrot.

TBH I remember as a kid there were so many things I refused & I didn't even know why. I started eating my veggies by myself (cept peas! Hate them!) Then after holding my breath to eat mum's pasta for years I actually tasted it & loved it! Just like some nights DD1 & DD2 like my spag bol, fettuccini & potato bake & other nights they won't even taste it I think its just a kid thing

[Nettie]

If you are concerned then maybe get some sort of toddler vitamin supplement - but forcing the issue will only make things worse.

He's still on formula but only at sleep times. I was thinking that this was part of the problem - but perhaps not. Sounds like he's a normal kid!

Kim - the curry thing sort of surprises us too! When we were trying to get him to eat solids, he wasn't interested in most things until one day when DH was eating a really spicy snackfood (they were curry flavoured corn puffs) and DS really wanted some - so we said 'what the heck' and gave him some. It was the most food he'd eaten in one sitting - EVER. After that we gave him tasty food - we figured that he's not interested in the bland stuff!

The other night we had a curry that was a tad spicy - even for us - but he chowed down no problem!

Thanks everyone... we shall just plod along and I'll do some cooking of pasta sauces and curries!

[feeb]

DS2 is nearlly 22 months and sounds exactly same as your DS even eating curry!!!!

I also find he eats much more if spoon fed rather than him feeding himself. I use the slow cooker heaps and soups and fill them with vegies. (I dont like many vegies on there own either but always offer him as DH eats all but makes no difference to DS).

He wont eat fruit unless pureed so i give him that as figure better than none!!!

Glad to hear its not just me with this!!

[Nettie]

Feeb - sounds like our guys have to meet one day!

My man is Mr Independent - so he much prefers to feed himself! Yes - he'd eat more if we spoon fed him, but I like him pacing himself a bit as both DH and I are big people and I don't want DS to learn poor eating habits (like we did)

[~Kim~]

Nettie, he sounds just like both of mine - they'll eat green curry and laksa...all manner of indian, thai, vietnamese food but neither of them will touch mashed potato with a barge pole.

[feeb]

DS only sees spoons and forks as play toys, he does occasionally try and put food on them but tips spoon over near mouth and drops it all. When he is eating himself he will chuck stuff on floor when he has had enough and some days I think crikey you hardley ate anyyting and offer him purred fruit and or yougurt and he will eat it (spoon fed to him)


So strange isn't it!