Food Phases
Both of my children are healthy eaters and not overly picky. That is – until recently! For about 6 weeks, my toddler son refused to eat anything other than bananas and cookies (which of course I did not give in to, most of the time). At the dinner table he was extremely picky, often only eating some sausage, pasta, or potatoes, without ever touching the vegetables. Sometimes, with the assistance of loads of animals around his plate sharing his dinner (fake ones of course, although it might have helped to bring in a cow), I could trick him into opening his mouth for an unwanted bite of something healthy. But my son is not easily fooled. He would immediately take the food out of his mouth and smash it on the floor, proclaiming a loud: BAH! As if I was trying to feed him dog poo!
What to do? I could hardly force the food back into his mouth – although I admit that I have tried, with no success!
You must know that I have trouble with picky eaters. And especially if they are my own kids!
Thankfully, since yesterday our little guy has been back to his old ways: he eats everything, and loads of it too! Such a delight to see him enjoying his food again.
Honestly, what causes little children to go through these phases? And what makes them think that they can live on just cookies and bananas to start with?
xxx Esther
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many different things can cause this, children usually use food to speak about other things that may bother them. if they eat cookies and bananas for a couple of days they’ll end up refusing them as well. I would just not make it and issue, eat delicious food that he normally likes in front of him, he’ll end up chucking the banana and cookie and asking for what he most likes
So funny! I can’t believe you (of all people) had a picky eater for a child!!! At least it was only a phase! Could you imagine dealing with that forever???
And I really hope it is only a phase for all children: our 1.5 year old has refused to eat anything but pasta for months now (pasta is even among his first words) and there is no way he will be tricked into allowing any food in his mouth that is not put there by him personally . Very, very frustrating!
my son has always been a bit picky.
now that he’s older I can at least convince him into trying things… what I keep doing is eating interesting food in front of him. At least he will grow up knowing that there are many things available.
At least he adores sashimi…
Check this out: my aunt is an old school dietician and she has a very controversial idea about food for small kids, esp. under two.
She reckons that one of the reasons small children refuse fruit and vegetables is because their digestive system is not used to high fibre food and it bothers them to digest it.
She actually things it is much more important to make sure kids get plenty of exercise and fresh air and then not worry too much if they are only eating high calorie food, i.e. milk and cookies. Whenever they are ready, they normally will get back to eating everything. My daughter LOVES staying with my aunt, as they are always boxes full of cookies around.
aghhhhhhhhhhh i read this post without taking a single breath hoping to find an answer. my boy eats nothing – NOTHING – and it drives me insane.
I wish I could give you the cure!
I think these are just phases though – stay casual about it is my advice. Keep offering them the interesting food – like Michela says. One day the little rascal will start eating again, I’m sure! And if not – just listen to Emilie’s aunt…
I started when my son was 10 months old to put him on a chair while cooking dinner and thus he learnt to eat raw peppers, their regular appetizer now while i cook.
As long as they drink and fill their diapers, no worries, such phases are normal (says my Dutch mother in law, consultatiearts). And they usually eat yogurh or quark or drink milk etc. right?
I just would not give in too easily with sugary drinks, I always insisted on them drinking water as well and asked the nursery school to offer them water and herbal tea.
Basically I always had a bowl of washed apples etc at their height so they can pick something up, ignored the moments they did not want to eat and never gave them cookies.
they have all rights of being peeky, exaclty as we adults do, with the difference we can go and order sushi if we feel like, they have no say in their food choice.
My young son had for a couple of years a 3-1 scheme: 3 days hardly eat any cooked food, one day 4 servings of soup in a row. Then he started eating regularly.
They eat Brinta cereals in the morning now, and like it, so I know that whatever they do during the day, at least they leave in the morning with some solid food. For the rest I insist they try at least everything and if they are monomaniac for a month, too bad, but I refused to get all stressed about this and get into a vicious circle. It works, as they eat almost everything.
But I never get sweets home and reserve them for special treats outside.