Topic : Picky Eaters

Hi,  I have a 5 year old (Just 5, dec 1). My problem is that he is only 32 pounds and eats good some of the time.  He will sit down with the faimily and eat but doesn't have the attention span to eat a full meal.  We have tried everything from setting a timer to sending him to his room. Nothing works.  After he eats a half a sandwich he says he's full we make him  take to more bites, which he does and then five minutes later he wants a snack.  How can I stop this action on his part so  he will eat more nutritiously and stop him from asking every two minutes for a snack. 

                                                                                             In need of help 

                                                                                                              John, Madison WI 

Help.  My 3 yr old granddaughter is going thru a picky stage.  She wants to eat only "snacks" for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  My daughter has always supplied 3 well rounded meals each day and then after the meal  she has always provided a snack.    My granddaughter feels that she can avoid eating the meal and going straight for the snack.  My daughter is sticking with the rules - you don't eat your meal you won't get a snack.  However, last night at dinner time, she refused to eat her dinner.  My daughter informed her she needed to eat dinner.  My granddaughter refused.  Again, prior to going to bed, my daughter said - it's time to eat.   My granddaughter refused saying she only wanted the snack.  My daughter sent her to bed without any dinner.  The next morning, she was hungry and she did enjoy eating 3 bowls of cereal.  What is the best way to handle this issue???  We are very, very concerned. 

My 5-year-old is the same way.  I also tried the lick-it-and-see-if-you-like-it method.  Sometimes she likes it, sometimes she doesn't.  Her favorite foods are chicken, spaghetti, peanut butter sandwiches, and yogurt.  I have started to put small pieces of other types of food on her plate, only one per meal, to introduce her to other foods.  I believe that if you offer only one new food every day or couple of days, then they do not feel so frustrated when trying them.  I never force her to eat anything that she doesn't like as long as she tries it first.  This method has worked the best for me.  She understands that if she does not like the food, she does not have to eat it so she is more willing to taste things now.  I also make sure to never react to food no matter how much I may dislike it, after all, she is watching my every move.  I do not eat read meat but I have never said how gross I find it infront of my daughter.  I do not want to sway her away from food she may actually enjoy had she tried it. 

Fortunately my other two children, 3-year-old son and 21-month-old daughter are not picky at all.  My son has turned down cookies and candy for carrots and spinach.  They have actually helped my older daughter try new foods by enjoying their food so much.  I also think that preschool helps, she has started trying even more foods since she started last year. 

I have a 2 year old who wont eat meat. As soon as it is in she spits it back out. we have tried making faces, mixing it in with other food, and just not puting it on her plate but trying to feed her it of ours. any ideas on how to get her to eat meat. she loves vegitables and fruit and eats plenty of them but is it healthy for her not to eat meat. 

I really don't understand how people can let their children control them. HELLO!! You are the parent, they are the child.  If the kid doesnt eat what you make, then let them go hungry. They will not starve. Eventually, when they are hungry enough, they will eat. If you let them get away with this, you will be catering to them until they are 18. I have a girlfriend who's daughter will eat nothing but pizza, french fries, and fast food. She goes out of the house at least 2 times a day to drive to get her kid something to eat.  I say pick her up, sit her butt down at the table, and don't let her get down until she eats.  If she fusses and makes a scene, then let her go hungry... YOUR CHILDREN WILL NOT STARVE!! They will eat what you give them when they are hungry.  Once they see that you will not budge, they will come around to trying new things.