Re-training kids to eat better

I dont know about you, but my toddlers eat like CRAP!! its all my fault, as I am the first to give them what they want so I can get on with the day...NO MORE!!!!

I have heard a lot about food sensitivities lately, and while I dont believe in depriving children of good food (I cant stomach this gluten free-sheeps cheese stuff), I do believe you can give them food thats good for you.

I am guilty of giving my kids processed stuff. I dont want to follow in this trend for my youngest. My mother never taught me to eat healthy, so I have to train myself, so I can be the best mom I can be.

I would love some stories, advice, and some plain positive energy with regards to attempting this.

Here is a Website I found with awesome recipes!!

http://www.wholesometoddlerfood.com/toddlerdinner.htm

 

yea - my kids will eat nothing on that website...which is why we're still feeding them what they want - otherwise they wouldn't eat and at 24 lbs my daughter simply can't afford to do that...

 

Thanks for putting that out there Mandy! It's great info and some good ideas!!!

 

Good for you. It will only get easier.

KISS is what can help you. Keep it simple silly/stupid/sweetheart

Cut out as much processed food as possible. Use basic ingredients & simple recipes to start. Fill your plates with color (orange carrots, green beans, etc, etc). Make 2/3 of your plate fruits & veggies.

Visit the Cooking Forum for great ideas & recipes. The ladies there are wonderful & always willing to help.

 

my kids will eat ALMOST ANYTHING that I eat. Cooked cabbage, lettuce, eggs, eggs, eggs, whole wheat toast, triscuits, sliced turkey, cottage cheese, etc. Maybe if they see you eating good foods than they will????
I cut out processed food a while ago and they never seemed to have noticed. If it's not in your house, you can't be tempted to serve it. It's hard but you can get them to eat better. I'd start slowly, dropping one processed food at a time.
Hope this helps! BOL

 

QUOTE(koozie @ Dec 5 2008, 02:07 AM) [snapback]1098082[/snapback]
If it's not in your house, you can't be tempted to serve it.


That is so true. Don't have junk around & they can't eat it.

Cooking healthy is no more work than convenience foods. It is all a frame of mind.

Can't wait to hear your success story!

 

I also read a great book called" child of mine: feeding with love and good sense" especially great for mothers of fussy eaters. I too have a fussy eater and a low weight gainer and even at 12 months of age it is frustrating. This book helped with my perspective on eating and feeding. It isn't a cookbook by any means. It is more of a long term philosophy on eating and getting toddlers to eat. Examples of some concepts.....

--- you decide what, when and where to eat and they decide what they will eat.

--- it discusses the negative consequences of forcing a child to eat or depriving them of food (for mom's of overweight toddlers)

--- that toddlers will often attempt up to 20 times before they actually EAT a particular food. often they will put it in their mouth and take it out to become familiar with the texture and taste. Veggies and Meat take longer than say bread.

it was well written. Good book to loan from the library.....

heather

 

QUOTE(heathertwins @ Dec 5 2008, 04:51 AM) [snapback]1098295[/snapback]
I also read a great book called" child of mine: feeding with love and good sense" especially great for mothers of fussy eaters. I too have a fussy eater and a low weight gainer and even at 12 months of age it is frustrating. This book helped with my perspective on eating and feeding. It isn't a cookbook by any means. It is more of a long term philosophy on eating and getting toddlers to eat. Examples of some concepts.....

--- you decide what, when and where to eat and they decide what they will eat.

--- it discusses the negative consequences of forcing a child to eat or depriving them of food (for mom's of overweight toddlers)

--- that toddlers will often attempt up to 20 times before they actually EAT a particular food. often they will put it in their mouth and take it out to become familiar with the texture and taste. Veggies and Meat take longer than say bread.

it was well written. Good book to loan from the library.....

heather


That's what the Registered Dietitians of Canada believe.

You decided what they eat & when they eat. They decide how much they eat.

It is a good rule of thumb.

 

I love Child of Mine and I do try to follow it -- but I have to say, my toddlers don't eat any healthier than the average. I just don't stress about it as much. I follow her advice to provide at least one thing you think they'll eat -- and that is usually what they do eat: the yogurt, bread, cheese, plain pasta, plain rice... They very rarely choose to eat the vegetables, the meat, or the main dish (if it's a combination of foods).

Amy will even say "Yum, I LIKE broccoli," and put a few pieces on her plate, but then take one tiny nibble and abandon it. That's a start, I guess!

 

QUOTE(heathertwins @ Dec 4 2008, 11:51 PM) [snapback]1098295[/snapback]
--- you decide what, when and where to eat and they decide what they will eat.

--- it discusses the negative consequences of forcing a child to eat or depriving them of food (for mom's of overweight toddlers)

--- that toddlers will often attempt up to 20 times before they actually EAT a particular food. often they will put it in their mouth and take it out to become familiar with the texture and taste. Veggies and Meat take longer than say bread.

it was well written. Good book to loan from the library.....

heather


This is great advice and pretty much what I have followed since our girls were on solids. They have never eaten anything processed. I will admit, somedays I feel like it has just added extra stress in my life but then I realize how happy I am that they eat what they eat.

Here are some things that we have done (sorry if it repeats what others have posted):

- when they were younger and just trying out new foods we made sure that they had a vegetable on their plate at every lunch and every dinner. Now they have 2 vegetables at lunch and 1-2 at dinner and they are the first things they eat a lot of the time. They also ended their meals with a fruit. They love almost all fruits and veggies.

- if they really, really didn't want what was on their plate (which wasn't too often) then I just loaded up on the thing on their plate that they did like (i.e. extra broccoli and cauliflower if they didn't like the "main meal") - this is where you can control what, where and when they eat and they control how much they eat

- I love the wholesometoddler food website. I have made the granola bars on there (minus the dates and nuts) and our girls love them. I think that is the site where I found the spinach nuggets which our girls also love. They really do have some great recipes.

- I try to meal plan so I am not left wondering what to feed them that night (less tempatation to offer processed food). For example, I made Chicken Meatloaf Muffins last night after they went to bed and that is what is for dinner tonight

- we don't always eat with them (bad, I know) but when introducing a new food/dish, we make sure to sit with them and eat it in front of them so they know that we will eat it too

- we have never gone to any fast food restaurants (i.e. McDonalds) or given them any processed food in our home (i.e. chicken nuggets, french fries, Kraft Dinner etc) so they don't ever "crave" them or ask for them

- I try a new recipe once every two weeks so I can add to the list of meals that they eat (some they have enjoyed right away, some they have had to try numerous times before they have enjoyed it). The more that they like, the easier it is on me to meal plan

As our girls get older, I will give them processed food once in awhile as a "treat" because I don't want to "deprive them" nor do I want all this healthy eating having any negative effects on them (meaning, I don't want them to overindulge in unhealthy foods as they get older just because they can). But, for now, when they are toddlers, I am going to continue to offer them healthy non-processed foods while I can.

I actually think there are a couple of posts in the Cooking Forum on these boards that you may find useful as well.

You can do it! You obviously sound very determined so I wish you the best of luck. Just take baby steps. Let us know how it goes!

 

We have tried a lot of things that the PPs suggested, and here's another one:

Any food, in "fry" form. Here are the things we cut up and make into "french fries":

Beets
Sweet Potatoes
Tofu
Turnips
Carrots
Parsnips

We also oven-roast Cauliflower and Broccolli. The directions for all are the same:

Toss with a bit of olive oil (or whatever oil you like) and a spice (thyme, rosemary, whatever you like), salt & pepper. Bake in oven 425 or so for 10-15 minutes, then flip. If you cut everything the same size it will all take about the same amount of time, 20-30 minutes. Exception: tofu is a bit faster depending on how crispy you like it.

Our kids LOVE veggies this way and so do we. Serve with ketchup or some other yummy dipping sauce.

 

TEEANDGEE can you please share how to make the chicken meatloaf muffins. I get tired of regular meatloaf and we all love chicken. Thanks

 

I'm mostly interested in the "retraining" aspect. I know what the boys should be eating, but how do you "retrain" them to enjoy it!?

 

QUOTE(EllenJamie @ Dec 5 2008, 07:02 PM) [snapback]1099451[/snapback]
TEEANDGEE can you please share how to make the chicken meatloaf muffins. I get tired of regular meatloaf and we all love chicken. Thanks


Sure. I have to give credit where credit is due though. The original "Meatloaf Muffin Recipe" came from "SweetpeaG" in a thread in the Cooking Forum called "OK, I feel bad...and need some help with meal ideas" (started by caba on Oct 6/08). Here is the link:
http://www.twinstuff.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=97021

Here is the original recipe:

Meatloaf Muffin Recipe

1lb ground turkey
1 egg
2 slices of bread (or 1/2 cup bread crumbs)
pureed carrots *
pureed green peppers *
pureed onions * (*SweetpeaG made a note that she doesn't actually measure the veggies - it is just a guess measurement)
salt
pepper
pasta sauce or salsa

Mix all ingredients except sauce with your hands. Ration out into muffin tins. Pour sauce (SweetpeaG prefers salsa) on top of each muffin. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

The above is SweetpeaG's original recipe. I have used ground turkey and I just recently tried it with ground chicken and that worked out fine too. The girls just had them tonight and they each devoured two! I don't bother taking time to puree veggies - I just used one jar of organic pureed carrots. I also don't add salt and I have used both pasta and salsa (I think our girls prefer salsa). I have also added garlic powder too!


To CHJH, I have never had to re-train my girls but my first thought would be to start offering little bits at a time. I don't know how successful it would be to go completely cold turkey. Or, maybe it would. If they know there isn't anything else being offered, they may eat the healthier stuff on their plate.

How about making some of their present dishes but just more healthy? They may not even notice. I don't know what your boys eat but I was thinking of stuff like:
- instead of frozen chicken nuggets or chicken fingers, you can make your own with just some chicken pieces, rolled in egg or milk and then dipped in bread crumbs and then baked in the oven
- instead of Kraft Dinner, you can make homemade mac and cheese
- instead of bagged, frozen french fries, you can make your own with just real potatoes or sweet potatoes
- instead of packaged meatballs, you can make your own - quite easily too
- instead of store bought cookies and/or muffins, you can make your own healthier versions
- for snacks, you can make homemade granola bars (there is a recipe for "Apple Breakfast Bars" on the wholesometoddler website that was mentioned in the original post)

These are all just ideas. It is hard when I don't know what your boys eat.

I do want to say that I am not trying to preach here at all. I just feel like, for once, I may be offer some good suggestions! Hopefully they help.

 

thank you so much for this post. Heathertwins and I have talked about this topic several times and have a lot of the same philosphies. I have yet to read that book but it is on my to do list.

My husband and I talked about this too. I will prepare whatever and they will eat it. I do not force it, I do not make a big issue if they don't. I am not a short order chef.

I have staples I keep on hand like pp said and if they will not eat what I give them I double up on the veggie, fruit and bread so I know they are at least getting all their servings each day.

I got the deceptively delicious cookbook and it is fantastic. Great way to make yummy meals and hide the veggies. We also make homemade pizza, we do not do fast food or processed foods like hot dogs or chicken nuggets. Sure they will get these at some point in their lives but not now.

My mom even tells me and I find it to be so true. They may have to eat it 20 times before they like it. DD hated tuna and grilled cheese sandwiches but once I added cheese to the tuna and a slice of tomato in the grilled cheese, she loved it. So maybe find some "extras" you can add to the food they do like.

Also, I do find that if I just put what I want them to eat on my plate and eat a couple of bites and then "share" it with them or feed it to them directly they are more apt to eat it than if I just put it on their tray.

 

Another Ellyn Satter (Child of Mine) fan here.

 

QUOTE(SweetpeaG @ Dec 5 2008, 11:44 PM) [snapback]1099797[/snapback]
Another Ellyn Satter (Child of Mine) fan here.



Me, too!

It's really, really hard not to get into a power struggle with a picky eater -- my older one has always been skinny, and has the world's smallest appetite. I did a lot of things wrong, in terms of her eating habits. But, I'm here to tell you guys that they DO outgrow it! Read Ellyn Satter, provide as much healthy food as you can, and things will get better. (And, the universe is paying me back with my little ones, because so far, they eat everything I give them. Praise be.)

Although I'd love to avoid processed food altogether, that's not realistic for me and my sanity. So, I buy from the "health food" aisle, and select things that don't have artificial flavors or colors, preservatives, HFCS, or trans-fats. Life is too short to deprive ourselves of all junk food, IMHO, and I just don't have time to make everything from scratch....

 

QUOTE(SweetpeaG @ Dec 6 2008, 04:44 AM) [snapback]1099797[/snapback]
Another Ellyn Satter (Child of Mine) fan here.


Love this book! It was recommended to me by Liesel (girls!).

 

QUOTE(TeeandGee @ Dec 5 2008, 03:23 PM) [snapback]1099112[/snapback]
This is great advice and pretty much what I have followed since our girls were on solids. They have never eaten anything processed. I will admit, somedays I feel like it has just added extra stress in my life but then I realize how happy I am that they eat what they eat.

Here are some things that we have done (sorry if it repeats what others have posted):

- when they were younger and just trying out new foods we made sure that they had a vegetable on their plate at every lunch and every dinner. Now they have 2 vegetables at lunch and 1-2 at dinner and they are the first things they eat a lot of the time. They also ended their meals with a fruit. They love almost all fruits and veggies.

- if they really, really didn't want what was on their plate (which wasn't too often) then I just loaded up on the thing on their plate that they did like (i.e. extra broccoli and cauliflower if they didn't like the "main meal") - this is where you can control what, where and when they eat and they control how much they eat

- I love the wholesometoddler food website. I have made the granola bars on there (minus the dates and nuts) and our girls love them. I think that is the site where I found the spinach nuggets which our girls also love. They really do have some great recipes.

- I try to meal plan so I am not left wondering what to feed them that night (less tempatation to offer processed food). For example, I made Chicken Meatloaf Muffins last night after they went to bed and that is what is for dinner tonight

- we don't always eat with them (bad, I know) but when introducing a new food/dish, we make sure to sit with them and eat it in front of them so they know that we will eat it too

- we have never gone to any fast food restaurants (i.e. McDonalds) or given them any processed food in our home (i.e. chicken nuggets, french fries, Kraft Dinner etc) so they don't ever "crave" them or ask for them

- I try a new recipe once every two weeks so I can add to the list of meals that they eat (some they have enjoyed right away, some they have had to try numerous times before they have enjoyed it). The more that they like, the easier it is on me to meal plan


This is pretty much what I do. My girls eat very healthy, much healthier than their mother ! They really eat all sorts of things I would never touch like avacado, cauliflower, celery, most fruits (I dont like fruit). They have never eaten a hot dog. haha
They have been to a couple restaurants and had chicken tenders or grilled cheese. But they have never had sugar with the exception of 1 spoonful of ice cream once. They also love goldfish! I call fruit 'dessert' and they it after every meal.

I love the wholesometoddlerfood website, my girls love the tofu nuggets!


QUOTE(adia2007 @ Dec 5 2008, 08:11 PM) [snapback]1099565[/snapback]
thank you so much for this post. Heathertwins and I have talked about this topic several times and have a lot of the same philosphies. I have yet to read that book but it is on my to do list.

My husband and I talked about this too. I will prepare whatever and they will eat it. I do not force it, I do not make a big issue if they don't. I am not a short order chef.

I have staples I keep on hand like pp said and if they will not eat what I give them I double up on the veggie, fruit and bread so I know they are at least getting all their servings each day.

I got the deceptively delicious cookbook and it is fantastic. Great way to make yummy meals and hide the veggies. We also make homemade pizza, we do not do fast food or processed foods like hot dogs or chicken nuggets. Sure they will get these at some point in their lives but not now.

My mom even tells me and I find it to be so true. They may have to eat it 20 times before they like it. DD hated tuna and grilled cheese sandwiches but once I added cheese to the tuna and a slice of tomato in the grilled cheese, she loved it. So maybe find some "extras" you can add to the food they do like.

Also, I do find that if I just put what I want them to eat on my plate and eat a couple of bites and then "share" it with them or feed it to them directly they are more apt to eat it than if I just put it on their tray.


My mother has that deceptively delicious book but I have not looked at it, now I am going too.

QUOTE(SweetpeaG @ Dec 5 2008, 11:44 PM) [snapback]1099797[/snapback]
Another Ellyn Satter (Child of Mine) fan here.


I am going to have to check this one out as well!

 

I've just lately started planning my week around a weekly menu. I've been "wingin it for the last couple of years and I was sick and tired of trying to decide what I'm going to fix every night. So about a month now I've been doing this and it helps me shop efficiently for the week. I've been serving leftovers for lunch to the girls and it's literally cut out most processed foods I was guilty of giving them. Hot dogs and the occasional cold cut or mac n cheese. My DH got me a kitchen aid stand mixer for an early Christmas present and I've even been making fresh whole wheat bread. I like being able to control the ingredients that go into the girls foods. Good luck in your endeavors!