What do I give 3yo who won't eat?

[Mae1]

She loves anything sweet ( and the things she she shouldn't eat) but won't eat a meal. Tried sandwiches - won't eat those either.
Your help is desperately needed - PLEASE!

[TitianRed]

She'll eat when she's hungry. Don't stress it!

[fedda]

Hi, Mae1, did you try sandwiches cut with different cutters, may be also boiled rice mixed with vegies, put in a greased beaker, press hard and turn upside down to create a nice shape on a plate. If your daughter likes sweet things, how about porrage mixed with raisins or mashed banana or no sugar jam swettened with fruit juice? Sweet potato boiled, mashed, mixed with mashed carrots is very nutrisious and easy to make as well. Pieces of cheese cut in different shapes like triangles, squares, etc. and grapes? Another thing which helps some mums is cooking together and giving her some creative tasks, asking her questions like what shape shall we make it? There are some lovely books you could borrow in the library on cooking with kids. Also how about teddy bear's picknick in doors (the weather is not fantastic at the moment, so what)? You could bake some healthy muffings together using honey instead of sugar, make home made burgers and fish fingers, chicken nuggets. Making it fun I think makes a huge difference. What also helps is inviting her friends over who eat well. I feel for you as one of my sons has been a fussy eater for many years now and he eats much better in his friends' houses or when they come over here. It has always helped me to make his plate look interesting. Anyway, good luck. Please, let me know how you are getting on and if you are looking for some more ideas.

[Mae1]

Fedda - thanks very much for those ideas! I've never eaten sweet potato - presumably you treat it / cook it the same as "normal" potato - only difference is taste????? Sorry for daft question!

[fedda]

Mae1,it's not a daft question at all. I first tried sweet potato only a couple of years ago and I was surprised how tasty it was. You cook it for about 25 minutes and it's actually easier to mash and it's lovely on it's own or mixed with mashed carrots. We often have it as an accompaniment to roast dinner.