1- Cookies (Kept separate until he ate the rest) 2- Blueberries 3- Corn
4- Skewered Naked Chicken Nuggets fried in butter 5- Pooh animal crackers 6- Apple slices
Today's theme was "Get my preschooler to eat something" and it worked. We hit Costco this morning before lunch and they were passing out samples of the Naked Chicken Nuggets (which I have a bag of at home but he turns his nose up at when I make them). Of course, at Costco, he ate two and was trying to steal a third. The secret? They served theirs on toothpicks. Gotcha. So, I broke a skewer and voila! He ate 3 at home, sat on my lap while he ate, telling me how much he loved me.
You've probably noticed a trend- my preschooler doesn't really eat. Usually, I could at least count on him eating peanut butter on a spoon or oatmeal for breakfast. Both of those have fallen away as stand-by's and I've yet to find something equally inticing for him. He loves the concept of the 100 calorie sandwich breads now- we call them "circle sandwiches" and at least it's carbs which he needs. I'm trying all my normal ways to sneak calories in: whole fat dairy, cooking pastas and rice in chicken broth, adding butter when possible (he won't eat it if he can see it, so only possible on hot things), etc. He's refusing the newer options I've had suggested: Pediasure, Carnation Instant Breakfast, dips, sauces, are some of the things I've tried.
So instead, it's currently me sitting with him at each meal, coaxing every bite and every sip. I'm thankful that when there are people either aching for a baby or living with the loss or illness of a child, this is my biggest "issue"... that my 3 year old is too busy and active to spend his time eating. I'll take it with a thankful heart... and just keep my mind working at new things to try. Do you think protein powder would work in oatmeal?!?
Oh I am glad (well not glad but you know what I mean) I am glad I am not the only one dealing with this! I try everything to get my 3 year old to eat. Also a boy and people always say boys eat better so they don't know what his deal is. He has been this way his whole life. the best he ate when he was on a milk only diet as an infant. :) I think the proein powder would be great in oatmeal. It dissolves to nothing, like it's not even there. I haven't tried too much because I really don't know how much to give a kid. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGreat looking meal! I also have a very picky little boy. Mine is 2 and eats next to nothing it seems. I finally threw a lot of my food rules (like no sweet cereals) out the window just so I could get food into the boy. I also broke down and started buying chocolate ensure shakes and mix half of one of those with milk each night in order to make sure he gets the vitamins, minerals, etc, into him. It can be such a challenge having a picky child.
ReplyDeleteWe put protein powder in our oatmeal sometimes. (We put it in a lot of things, including pancakes, etc.)
ReplyDeleteI need to start using toothpicks in JDaniel's least favorite foods. Thankfully he usually eat most things.
ReplyDeleteHey if a stick makes him want to eat it, that is fabulous! =) I'd put a stick in everything. =) lol
ReplyDeleteMy two are firm believers that food on a stick is better than food not on a stick. We kebab anything that can be kebabed (is that a word?)--veggies, fruit, meat & cheese & bread, you name it.
ReplyDeleteProtein powder is a good idea. When people are one muscle tone programs, that is something they will do. Good luck girlie!
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