Processed meat or no meat at all?

@Velvetvilla What do you mean they can't eat beans, lentils and pulses? They absolutely refuse? Not sparky but I know a few people who told me kids (in uk) don't eat legumes/pulses. They are not given and they don't eat. Turns out when I cooked a bean, lentil and mushroom ragu two sets of teems and preteens wolfed it they had to be asked to leave some for adults.

In any case, try naked ham and naked sausages. Also if you have butchers nearby. And can they eat the sliced chicken and turkey that supermarkets do? Less processed and mostly roast or steamed.
Have you tried thin slices of meat either like that or further softened by hammering or velvetising? Velvetising will give it a processed meat feel without being truly processed

What do you mean they can't eat beans, lentils and pulses? They absolutely refuse? Not sparky but I know a few people who told me kids (in uk) don't eat legumes/pulses. They are not given and they don't eat. Turns out when I cooked a bean, lentil and mushroom ragu two sets of teems and preteens wolfed it they had to be asked to leave some for adults.

In any case, try naked ham and naked sausages. Also if you have butchers nearby. And can they eat the sliced chicken and turkey that supermarkets do? Less processed and mostly roast or steamed.
Have you tried thin slices of meat either like that or further softened by hammering or velvetising? Velvetising will give it a processed meat feel without being truly processed

I have a DC with a relatively limited diet due to autism. I figure it's better to have him get some protein from sausages, nuggets, fish fingers, than to serve protein he won't eat. I buy ones without additives and/or a high meat content.

I have had some success with my own breaded chicken and fish. We also do protein with cheese, egg and lentils (because it's a sensory issue, he'll eat smooth curried lentils but not eg mince in Bolognese or chicken in a casserole).

I can be seen reading the back of pre-packed ham slices to see if they're "formed" and most of them are. I never buy these no matter how nice it looks. I watched on TV how they do it. 🫤

Make sure they’re getting age appropriate vitamins/supplements.

Use nutritional yeast in food you make up for them. It can be added to lots of things.

If they eat pasta make your own sauces up from cooking up lots of veg. Carrots, onion, celery, garlic, spinach etc and blending with tinned tomatoes (and add the nutritional yeast). This can also be used on pizza bases.

Would they eat home made chicken nuggets? This is an activity they can get involved in. Rolling the cut up chicken breast in the flour egg and breadcrumbs and getting them in the oven.

Helping to make food how been linked to improving what foods children are open to eating.

They don't need meat at all, but they do need to get enough protein. Is there nothing else that they would eat which would enable them to get this? Could you get creative about how to sneak healthier proteins into stuff?

Honestly, I wouldn't be keen to rely on processed meat to meet a basic dietary requirement, because it definitely isn't healthy and you might be setting them up with bad habits for life. That said, you've got to feed them something, and if they're incredibly fussy, your options may be very limited.

Ultimately, fed is better than not fed (as long as they aren't over-fed!). And some protein is better than no protein.

Im also vegan and dp is a big meat eater.
We met in the middle so to speak.
I think you have to pick your battles op. The odd processed sausage isn't going to do more harm if the rest of their diet is good.
Whatever nutrients you get from meat, ar the kids getting from other sources?
Eg eggs have plenty of iron and protein, there's lots of iron in green veg but obviously alot of young kids wont touch them, b12 so that's your meat, or marmite, or supplements.
Etc. Just try and work out what's missing and fill in the gaps.

DD is a fussy eater, won’t eat certain meats now due to school friends diets and comments. She pint blank refuses fish. This was a child that ate her steak rare and wolfed sea bass and salmon down when she was 5.

I give DD good quality sausages/ ham at home and a vitamin.

I’m vegan, DH eats anything that moves - unless you go deep in to a vegan diet meaning you take all the vitamins/ minerals it’s not a good idea to cut the meat imo.

If they like meat and it's part of a balanced diet, I'd say a better quality is a good idea if you can afford it.
Sausages from a butcher for example.
Would they eat chicken nuggets if you made them?

Will they eat chicken or fish?