Why won’t my toddler eat?
Stand up if you have no idea how your toddler survives off so few calories per day like mine! I mean, the kid doesn’t always eat. In my 2.5 years of being a mom, though, I’ve picked up a few lessons on getting my son to eat. One of my tricks would probably be considered bad parenting but sometimes you do what you have to do to make it work(read further), am I right? Here are four sure-fire ways I make sure my toddler gets nutrition on a daily basis.
POUCHES
Somewhere along the way, I convinced my son that pureed fruit pouches – are a treat. I’m not quite sure how I did it but I’m so glad I did. We’ve literally tried every organic brand on the market and I have settled on Go-Go Squeeze and Costco(Kirkland) Organic Fruit & Vegetable Pouches. He loves the flavors and I love the organic nutritional ingredients. I can easily toss them into my bag and have him eat them in the car without my having to worry about the possibility of choking in the back seat. They think they’re having a treat while I know he’s getting some nutrition. Win-win!
GRAZING
Okay, so this is a method other moms might judge me for and that is fine with me. I admittedly allow my toddler to get down from the table once while we are eating. It doesn’t happen all of the time but when it does I don’t fret. Then I make him come back every minute or so to take a bite while he plays. It takes forever but I can usually get him to eat a full meal that way. I also leave a plate of finger foods out for a while so he can graze throughout the day. These are habits I know I’ll have to break soon but I’m more concerned about his health and nutrition than I am about his habits at this point.
SUPPLEMENTAL SHAKES
I often try to get my toddler to eat yogurt at breakfast; he doesn’t always eat it, though. So when he doesn’t, I take the yogurt from his untouched bowl, mix it with milk, and add either toddler formula powder or a kids’ protein shake powder he loves (I use KidzShake) and shake it up in a blender bottle. We call it his “milkshake” and he loves it.
SMOOTHIES
There’s nothing more fun than hiding nutrition in a smoothie. I like to add spinach, steamed broccoli, squash, chia seeds, flax seeds, and avocado to fruit smoothies (blueberry, strawberry, and banana is a big hit in our home) and snicker with an evil laugh while he gulps it down. J gets the nutrition he needs and I’m happy because I have a healthy toddler!
I have also found that cutting food such a bread, pancakes and fruit into shapes makes J eat much more. I introduced him to chicken, fish, eggs, and spices at an early age and most of the times he will eat them all without a fuss! He loves rice so I interchange rice and quinoa a lot for him! The best piece of advice I can give other moms is to never give up. Keep trying, yes the waste gets on my nerves sometimes but we have to do what we have to do at the end of the day!
Okay so gimme your tips on me in the comments below. How do you get your toddlers to eat?
Smoothies are so delicious and nutritious! I love them and they taste sweet usually so that is something kids will have easily.
My one son is a grazer. Small meals are best for him and I need to try these tips
These are some great ideas. I know my toddler always loved smoothies.
Love this ideas – have you heard of Happy Yogis? They’re freeze-dried yogurts that I snack on even though they are meant for children haha. Very delicious and nutritious.
I let my son graze FOR SURE. I give him bottles. I try to give him a legit breakfast and lunch. But the rest is kinda snacks. I feel like right now (he’s only 1) it’s not insanely important to map out meals entirely. Maybe as this year progresses we will get into more of a routine for it.
My one year old eats better than my three year old. Not that my three year old doesn’t eat, he has just become pickier. Pouches are a great way to get your child veggies or fruits.
I have always let my children eat as it was natural for them. As long as they were eating healthy food, it wouldn’t matter. Kids do eat when they’re hungry! Now they are teenage boys and I can’t get them to stop for a minute!
wow. what a great momma ensuring all the best for her kids. <3 thank you for sharing these tips to all other mommas as well..
These are great ideas It’s so tough to get kids to eat everything they need. I need tips for my teenagers!
Such good ideas! I don’t have kids but my friends do and I will have to pass along these tips to them. They’ll love them!
Such a great post for young moms. They need to ensure that their toddlers are getting the proper nutrition they need.
My baby doesn’t like to run around when she’s eating. she doesn’t like smoothies, but she loves oatmeal, scramble eggs,and yogurt she lives for that stuff.
Smoothies are amazing! I find them so much easier to eat than lots of fruit.
Yes to smoothies, I drink them myself in the morning to get some veggies into my diet. Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us!
Some great suggestions! Kids can be so difficult when it comes to food, especially if they decide that they are going to be picky eaters… I love that you’ve included a few different options, recognizing that not everything will work for everyone.
I love smoothies! They are so easy to make and actually kind of fun to drink. That’s my preference!