Hello!

I was wondering if any mums had tips for an EXTREMELY picky eater? My son is 21 months old and the list of foods he WILL eat is rapidly dwindling. He used to be an OK eater but over the last 6 months has become incredibly difficult, to put it lightly! I hate when people say “He’ll eat when he’s hungry.” NOT true!! Last week, he refused all 3 meals and snacks that were offered in a 24 hour period even though it was obvious he was hungry. He refuses everything before even trying it. I’ve tried hiding veggies – not a chance! Majority of nights he goes to bed having not eaten in hours and I’m at my wits end! What are some tips for dealing with picky eaters?

Posted by anon, 31/08/13

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  • Really interesting reading the comments on this!


  • there are some good comments here


  • Great ideas, trial and error, don’t stress. Our son went from eating everything to living on milk and peanut butter sandwiches mostly for a year. Now he eats most foods and has a good appetite.


  • We’re always adding new things so there is always something different to try. I saw a recipe for jelly made with real fruit juice that might be a good one too


  • hope all is going well?


  • Just a matter of trial and error. Just try him on new things every now and then.


  • Ask what food he’d like to eat and try to work from that. If it is all junk that he wants to eat maybe let them know that you will give them some after they eat something healthy. You can also try things like frozen fruit icy poles, apple and oat crumble or weetbix slice (which looks like chocolate slice but has a lot of weetbix in it).


  • Have you found any foods that your son enjoys?


  • I hope you found some useful tips


  • What did you end up doing?


  • Have you had any luck with any of the advice below?


  • I would make up a plate of different foods (a plate that has compartments) and place one thing on the plate that you know he will eat (eg half a piece of toast if he eats toast or a little bit of pasta if he eats pasta etc). It worked for my daughter as she grazes her way around the plate with the comfort of something she knows and loves.


  • Is he cutting more teeth, kids go off food when this is happening. Try giving him yoghurt or milk drinks and plenty of fluids while he is refusing to eat


  • I used to make it into a game. I would hold up 5 fingers. One bite, and he could pull a finger, the finger would become a pig or cow and go in to tickle him. One more bite, one more finger until the last one, which i usually made n alien the would zoom around space and in for a tickle. I know its only 5 bites but you could use 10 fingers, this is prob most of the meal! I always have had dinner at the table with our kids too, so they can see us eating and they can replicate


  • Take him to the GP for a checkup to rule out a medical problem I’m sure he is fine Don’t give snacks & only give water & milk Put food on trays in the middle of the table then everyone gets an empty plate don’t give him attention just ask him what he wants when he sees evryone else eating and not fussing over him he will most likely eat.Make food fun & attractive Mybouys only did the fussy eater once I sent them to bed and they ate at breakfast Good luck


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