[tigger44]

Our daughter has always been a picky eater, since the first day we took custody of her. She is eating much better now after eight months home, but she is still a light eater, and somewhat picky. She also seems bored stiff with my menu for her . So, I need some help. What favorite things do your toddlers like to eat?

Thanks!!

[Sipper]

Depends on the day usually! One day she will have two helpings of a dinner and the next week won't touch it. A sure thing for us is cheese which is great since she won't touch milk.

[N.Gwinn]

Our son is also not real fond of milk, but loves cheese..... cheese sticks, mac and cheese, brocoli and cheese, grilled cheese, cheese pizza. (Seeing the trend?)

He actually is a good eater. We use a lot of the Gerber Graduates from the baby food isle to supplement the table food. There is something about the consistency and amount of flavor in that food that really appeals to him.

We also give him one PediaSure a day to supplement his diet.

*** Keep in mind, you have to shove a food into a kids mouth AT LEAST seven times before s/he knows if s/he likes it or not. (That's according to someone I heard on a talk show... but certainly is true with our kid.)

[proudmommyof 2]

Culinary and toddlers in the same sentence....priceless!!!


IN addition to all things cheese, both of my boys liked all things pasta-even just buttered pasta.

Mashed potatoes, tacos, pizza were all hits. Dennis has and always had a "sophisticated palate" He likes clam chowder soup and hot tea. He hated any traditional toddler foods, besides the pastas.

Fruits, corn..

[brandydawn]

Popping over from the Guatemala boards.

My daughter will love something and then get bored with it so I have to find something new.

For breakfast I do either scrambled eggs w/cheese, cheese grits, oatmeal or mini pancakes. I pair whatever I give her with fresh fruit (she loves fruit).

Lunch is the easiest meal for me because she eats this one the best. She loves mac & cheese, pasta of any kind, chicken tenders, meatballs, mashed potatoes, grilled cheese sandwiches, green beans, carrots, peas, chicken & dumplings and then whatever I am eating because evertying on mommy's plate looks yummy (even if it is the same thing on her plate).

Sometimes it matters how I feed her, she won't eat banana cut up but loves to bite off a whole banana (I hold it). She will eat somethings if I give her a fork but not if she is expected to eat it with her hands.

I agree on the Gerber, they make these toddler meals that are wonderful, some of them though are very messy and unless you want to hose down your toddler you need to feed him.

Regards,
Brandy

[tchr_678]

My youngest is a picky eater too, and doesn't really like meat, unless it has ketchup or gravy all over it. With ketchup, he'll eat anything! He also likes chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, pasta, spaghettios .. anything w/ tuna fish in it, mashed potatoes, ALL FRUIT. Really, with him, the key was finding soft things that were easy enough for him to eat w/ his fork or spoon. Both of my boys almost REFUSE to eat anything that is messy.

[waitinginnj]

My daughter will eat any meat in the shape of a ball. She loves meat though. She will eat steak etc. Swedish meatballs are her favorite - she calls them white meatballs. She loves hamburgers if I flavor them with worsteshire sausce.

May daughter likes a lot of flavor. She likes sauces and marinades. Is the food you are making too bland for your child? Just a thought.

She loves fruit, doesn't eat that much bread or pasta. She loved mashed potatos for a while and now won't eat them well. She likes rice.

She loves Tuna Fish, she is now less interested in eggs - that used to be my catch all. She loves tomato soup, pancakes, granola bars, fudge pops, ice pops.

[Vicki H]

My son has become picky over the past year. He loves pizza, oatmeal, dry cereals, poptarts (only chocolate and cimmamon roll).
A big thing for him is string Cheese, he loves this and he also loves milk, for this I am relieved.

I have also considered pediasure since he loves chocolate milk.

Vicki

[Kasey]

One thing that helps is making the plate look fun, I make faces out of chicken pieces and veggies, with kethcup or dips as the hair, etc.. He loves that and loves saying he is eating the nose or eyes. You can do it will sorts of food.Another good way to get nutrition in them our dietician had recommended, shakes. I use the carnation instant breakfast and mix in yogurt and fruits, I let him pick out what fruits and such to blend in, he loves it.

[Javalita]

Mine has liked some untraditional things and doesn't like some normal toddler stuff.

He loves pretty much all breakfast food, but won't touch eggs with cheese. Plain eggs only.

PBJ sandwich, tamale pie (strange), veggie lasagna, chicken patties from Boca burgers (stopped eating these for unknown reason yesterday), veggies, avocado. One of the all time faves is bean & cheese burrito. He hates pizza.

Kids are odd!

[tigger44]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. My daughter is eating similar things to what your children are eating. I guess I just don't give her enough variety. She won't eat anything out of a can, so we usually only give her fresh foods. I just need to give her more variety for lunch meals.

Thanks again!!