Picky Eaters

My LOs are almost 10 months old. They're not that interested in the purees anymore, so I've been giving them more finger foods. The problem is, lately they only want to eat carbs, cheese, yogurt, applesauce, pears, and peas. They whine as soon as those foods are gone and they leave what they don't like. If they reject the other foods I offer, should I give them more of what they like, or just end the meal? If I offer their favorites, they will eat more, so I don't think they are full. They are prone to constipation, so I want to make sure they are getting enough fruits and veggies.

How does this work when they are toddlers and they are mainly eating table foods? What if they don't eat enough? Sounds like it could get frustrating.

 

I would give them more of what they like and still make sure I offer what they dont so that they get exposure to that type of food. And yes, the second year is full of frustrations over table food :gah:

 

Ahh, the beginning of the food battles! :lol: Definitely a frustration!

I would offer new or non-preferred foods first - without letting them see their favorites. See if they will eat their non-favorites when that is the first thing you offer them and they don't see their faves sitting on the table waiting for them.

If that doesn't work, just give them more of what they like and keep introducing the new foods. It can take awhile for toddlers to decide they like a new food. Good luck!

 

I agree, I always offered the foods that I didn't think they would eat as well first, when they were good & hungry. Then after they had eaten all they would eat of that, I would fill in with the foods that I knew they liked. If you just keep giving them the veggies, eventually (hopefully) they will eat some of them.

 

This is probably awful, but one of my dd's wouldn't eat chicken at all. I put a little bit of ketchup on it and it vanishes in seconds! Just a thought if your having trouble with proteins. They also love pasta and sauce so I try to put as many veggies and a protein (chicken or hamburger etc) mixed in so they don't notice as much. Try and hide some of the stuff they won't eat in things that they will.

 

Not awful at all! I did the same thing. When they started to be able to 'dip' foods into yogurt, applesauce, ketchup, etc, they started enjoying it more. Messy, but they loved to dip!

To the OP, I would just keep offering, even the stuff they don't seem to care for. I read somewhere that it takes up to 20? times of trying a food before they really determine whether they like it or not.

 

I agree with the posts re: offering the foods they don't love first. If they are hungry they will eat them, keep trying. I don't think totally hiding the flavour is a good idea though, as they need to learn to appreciate the flavour of the actual food.
So for example today my girls had veal stew, so I gave them the bits of veal and veggies first, and then when they fed themselves a good amount I gave them some bread cubs and a bit of cheese, which they LOVE and would eat all day if I let them.