Three year old eating habits

[mjknapp]

My three year old is a very picky eater. It seems like she would rather go hungry than eat anything other than the few foods she loves to eat.
Does anyone have any good ideas on how to introduce a variety of foods. The only thing that seems to work a little is to let her help me cook dinner, when she helps she seems to eat a little better, because she is involved with the entire process. I would like to have her eating healthy at a young age in hopes she might carry it over for the rest of her life.

[Remington]

I am lucky because all of my kids will eat anything.

I think I know how to prevent them from becoming picky but I am not sure how to make them be less picky once they become picky.

How I prevent it is I just don't give them options. They eat what I give them or they go to bed. They learn quickly to eat what is served and they soon learn that the food isn't that bad and going to bed is worse. :D

[mjknapp]

Well, that is what I do, they eat what I give them or they go to bed, she went a day and a half without eating anything, I am serious, but I cant starve her. There is a fine line between disciplining and abuse.

[Remington]

eeks! :shock:

That is a dedicated child. Yea - you don't want to abuse the kid obviously. Maybe somebody else can offer something clever.

[tt3]

Day and a half, thats impressive! I know a lot of adults that wouldn't fast that long :shock:
All the advise I could give is stuff you can read in books anyway, sorry.
I'm interested in what others have to say too, though.

[jeffus]

George Carlin used to have a line about someone being a "picky-eater". It's another way of saying they're a pain in the ass!

I try formal introductions with new foods, "Hello Audrey, this is a carrot. Hello, Carrot this is Audrey." Never works but I try to keep a sense of humor about it. After 3 years of trying with no (none!) success, I take solace in the fact that she was pronounced OK-dokie by her doctor at her 3 year visit. I guess the vitamins help a bit.

Drives me nuts too but at least I don't have to clutter up the fridge with all those healthy fruits and vegetables. :wink:

When they're really hungry, they'll eat. You can lead a horse to water... makes a little more sense now huh?

I guess you can rejoice when they eat their favorite foods or hold your ground indefinitely, cringe when they take her away for being malnourished, put you in jail, and then put you in the paper for being a monster.

Someday, they'll be sipping down raw oysters and noshing on caviar telling their 'friends' they never got food like this at home. And you can give that knowing parental nod and finally re-affirm to yourself that they, in fact, are the ones that truly have so much to learn.

My 2 cents....

[matellicblue]

Wow! The longest my 4 year old son has went is a day. I also believe they need to learn young. My 11 year olds mother let him eat what he wanted and now he comes over and it's a pain in the a** I don't change our menu I just rearange the schedule because the younger three look up to him but our rule stil aplies " you don't eat there is no snack food of any kind" it got him to eat even stuff he didn't like.
That young I would say be strict but patient. I would use the cooking thing. What the heck your killing two birds with one stone, She's eating and learning to cook. They learn to like it and it is a big help when they get older. My 13,11,7,and even my 6,4 year old love to help in the kitchen and when the older two do I don't have to do anything, it's great. Also my wife and I do believe in vitamins for all of us, can't hurt. Our doctor suggested a multi vitamin. Good luck.

[Don-Dad]

Your not alone, my 4 year old is picky about the foods and would rather eat goldfish crakers all day in lieu of a meal. I put my foot down and he eats or no snacks later. Its getting better but a daily struggle. I would not get too bent out of shape. Just keep trying some new foods and hope for the best :?

[Remington]

The trick I use is I starve my kids for about 4 days and then they will eat anything...















Joke.... :lol: :lol:

[mjknapp]

The trick I use is I starve my kids for about 4 days and then they will eat anything... Joke.... :lol: :lol:


Nice!!!~

[waldo]

Helping to cook works great with my almost-4-year-old son. He is not really picky though, which is great. But if we are visiting someone or at a restaurant he is just to busy to eat much. My 19-month old son insists on feeding himself. He can be starving to death but will not usually take food from me unless I can catch him staring off in space.

One problem with my oldest is that he would drink all of his meals if we let him. If we want him to eat most of his meal we use his beverage as incentive to eat more. I guess you could say he has a drinking problem :shock: .

My advice:
-You eat when she eats. Turn off all other distractions and she will see theres nothing else to do but eat, (or throw her food).
- Save the beverage til last
- If she really isn't hungry there is no use in forcing her unless she is having health concerns. Setting the pattern to eat when your hungry is better than setting the pattern of eating out of habit, which leads to obesity.


Waldo

[SAHF]

I am lucky because all of my kids will eat anything.

I think I know how to prevent them from becoming picky but I am not sure how to make them be less picky once they become picky.

How I prevent it is I just don't give them options. They eat what I give them or they go to bed. They learn quickly to eat what is served and they soon learn that the food isn't that bad and going to bed is worse. :D

Yeah Rem :!:

I have done this same with my 7 year old yes, SEVEN year old. If he does not it eat it for dinner, guess what he gets for b-fast? Now, this will not work for a 3 year old! Sorry Mike!

[tt3]

...One problem with my oldest is that he would drink all of his meals if we let him. If we want him to eat most of his meal we use his beverage as incentive to eat more. I guess you could say he has a drinking problem :shock: .
...

Wow, he and I should talk, it sounds like me!
:twisted:

Nah, I'm not that bad... really... I stop when I run out! :lol: :lol:

No, honestly, I wouldn't drink my meals. Unless it was a nice Oatmeal Java Stout for breakfast. mmmmmmmmmm

[Remington]

I must have just lucked out because my kids when they are 3 will eat anything.

My oldest is 4 and she is beginning to get picky. My wife and I started doing what Waldo suggested adn that is get them involved in cooking. Make food exciting also. Instead of just throwing the food in front of them, know what you are having for dinner in advance and get them prepared for it.

Tell them at 3pm that you will be having chicken , etc... Seems to work for me!

[mjknapp]

Wow, the replies are rolling in now, that was, huh, maybe 4 or 5 months ogo, she is doing much better now, she eats what I cook her, then if she eats well I give her a snack, I ended up just holding my ground, and not letting a 3 yr old get the best of me. :lol: :lol: :lol:


But with all these responses, I will have to dig this thread up in two yrs when my son is three and challenging all my rules.....

[Remington]

It may be easier just to start a new thread... lol

:roll: