To think this is enough food for a 2 year old?

[Dranktoomuchpepsi]

DH is a bit worried about DS's diet. He doesn't really eat very much compared to other toddlers, it seems. He's gotten fussy recently! Use to eat everything given to him.

Today he's had:

Breakfast: Two slices of toast with butter. It is usually peanut butter. All eaten.

Snack: Handful of cheese. Most ended up on the floor. Ate one bit. Some pineapple - eaten. A multivitamin bear.

Lunch: Pasta with cheese. Eaten.

Dinner: 2 Weetbix with strawberry soya milk. All eaten.

Is this enough? We don't give a proper 'meal' at dinnertime because it NEVER eats. DH is really really worried.

DS is in 12 to 18 months clothes and he's 2.5. He is being investigated for height but doctor says it just may be genetic (both my grandads jockies), yet less likely since DH is 6 foot 3.

He does also get breastmilk but they're short feeds, not frequent and don't seem to impact appetite.

He was a brilliant eater before

Things like beans, vegetarian meats, etc, all get thrown and rejected. He won't eat them and has become so so fussy!

What about raw veg to snack on go get more veg in him? Veg with dip can be fun.

Beans, lentils, chickpeas? Even beans on toast? Or on a potato?

I can see a lot of misinformation here. You don't need meat replacements for veg diet! Full fat unsweetened oat over soy though!

SMH at people who think the answer to a veggie/vegan diet is to give the child a pork chop or chicken leg. Millions of children around the world are veggie.

There are plenty of substitutes available - he throws Quorn nuggets on the floor, has he tried veggie sausages cut up, things like Quorn mince which you can give him in spag Bol or a little burrito with vegetables and that’s more like finger food. Then there’s all the pulses and lentils too.

Maybe a large part of it is due to possible ASD rather than just being a fussy eater but at that age it’s not unusual anyway.

I really think you need to arrange a consultation with a dietician if you’re going to insist on vegetarianism. You don’t seem to know much about nutrition so you are taking big risks with your child’s health.

For instance, it is widely known that Oatly barista is the milk that is most similar to full fat cows milk yet you are giving your child soy milk.

I really worry for your child’s health.

Peanut butter on toast is very healthy.
Watermelon is fine.

He needs lots more fruit and veg and a better variety of taste and textures. Make sure it's wholemeal pasta and bread.

Me and my partner are both vegan (due to many reasons) and as much as I understand how your husband my feel I don’t agree with choosing a diet for your child without them understanding/consenting.

What like feeding them meat without their consent! Every parent chooses their child's diet. What a ridiculous statement. 🙄

OP stop stressing, keep offering, keep calm, it will change!

It always astounds me that people think it's more normal to kill and eat and animal, than eat fruit, vegetables, grains, carbs etc.

Saying 'they can choose to be vegetarian when they're older and get a say' we'll, they can also choose to be meat eaters when they're older too. It's the same thing.

OP, your child needs more actual food and more protein. That doesn't mean meat and I wouldn't give into any pressure there. I do think there are some sensory issues too so maybe a call with your GP is now in order.
Eggs are now widely available everywhere. Try them in all sorts of ways. I'd also top stuff with cheese wherever you can.

You want to continue BF'ing then go for it - I didn't BF at all so DD has been on whole milk since 1, she's obsessed by the stuff though so I have the opposite problem there.

DD absolutely loves curries & dahls - she's actually taken a tub of leftover lentil Dahl off the side this morning and had that for breakfast . I also have the 'Baby led weaning' app and whilst we're well out of the weaning stage there's some amazing veggie & vegan recipes on there. Maybe just get your cook on and see if he takes any of them?

OP, I know you say he doesn’t communicate but does he have any understanding? Could you give him the choice of two things you want him to eat? Could he point to what he wants?

No, doesn't work. He doesn't point, never has. It is beyond frustrating at times but Believe me when I say I try

For instance, it is widely known that Oatly barista is the milk that is most similar to full fat cows milk yet you are giving your child soy milk

Not just soy. Breastmilk. Which is even better than cows milk.

'
I really worry for your child’s health.

Oh do behave. I'm worried he's getting enough in at times but I'm not worried for his health. There are children literally living off of fish fingers and air for years. From looking up general advice and previous threads, most people seem to have been told by specialists to go with the flow and just offer. No need for 'really worried for his health'

Just wanted to add that I'd be happy to give DC fish and chicken as a healthier meat option. Think he may like it as it, although I have no grounds to base that on.

DH will not have it. So not sure what to do there. In my mind it seems it isn't right to make a vegetarian have their child eating meat. But I suppose that's a separate thread

Try getting him to help with food prep (I know!!). Mash the sweet potato and then taste it for seasoning " is there enough salt in that do we think?" "Should we add some butter?" "Shall we chop up that tiny tomato or use this big one?" There can be a real joy in cooking (and a pain in the arse too) so get him involved. It may help.
Put food in a serving bowl that he then serves himself (with help - maybe point at what he would like '1 teaspoon or 2 of the beans? Teaspoons for serving is fiddly but is less overwhelming and it may encourage multiples to be selected). Don't force anything onto him.
Use cutlery and sit with him and eat if you don't already.
A bit of chit chat (not about food) whilst you eat together to take the focus from food and onto the sociable fun element of eating. These are all good habits for life.

Does your DH help plan meals etc? If he is the one insistent on him following a veggie diet, which can provide everything a child needs so no, they don't need meat, he should be helping you prep balanced meals. Although it can be common at that age anyway, are there certain textures you have noticed he will usually eat? Does he like any other sauces with pasta other than pesto? Anything else on toast? If he likes pineapple, what about melon and mango which has a similar texture and feel when you eat it?

Your Dh is putting his morals above the health of his child. Nice one

*Just wanted to add that I'd be happy to give DC fish and chicken as a healthier meat option. Think he may like it as it, although I have no grounds to base that on.

DH will not have it. So not sure what to do there*

Your his parent too, OP. You also get a say in what your son eats. What would DH actually do if you made a unilateral decision to try him with a piece of cod or a chicken nugget?

Your DH is being weirdly controlling about this. It sounds like you would like try try giving him fish or meat but don't feel allowed to?

Ah just RTFT , sorry . Scrap the cutlery comment. The rest stands though , especially if he has sensory needs, putting your hands into a bowl of cold baked beans could be wonderful -or not. He may not talk back but talking with him is still extremely important.

I think i you are doing a great job and some of these posters are nuts.

Re the eggs is it worth asking at your local supermarket, explaining the issue and asking if they can put a box of eggs aside for you when they next get a delivery? They might if you ask nicely and show them your ever so cute little boy

Oh go on, just sneak a bit of fish in there when he's not looking. If your husband cares so much tell him he should be vegan 🤣

Sounds stressful, OP. Hope you find something that works soon.

My son is the same age. I would try one piece of toast with peanut butter and add some yoghurts for breakfast. Then a snack a couple of hours later of a mug of milk with something like hummus. I would just try to add in more snacks and more protein sources. Would your ds be interested in helping you make his food. For instance my ds will always finish his sandwiches if he has buttered them himself. I also tend to eat the same as the kids and at the same time so they feel grownup like mummy. I feel for you, it is so trying when your kid won't eat enough!

Your DH sounds extremely controlling regarding this. Very selfish when this is his DC health. Especially considering the issues with his Growth. DC can decide if and when he chooses to be vegetarian.

Your DC has a dreadful diet, hardly any g fruit or veg.

Start making some healthy meals you can all sit down and eat. It shouldn't be 'finger food' he's not a baby. Encourage him to use a knife/fork spoon. Make mealtimes fun as frustrating as it can be.

Would your ds be interested in helping you make his food. For instance my ds will always finish his sandwiches if he has buttered them himself

It doesn't work. He won't engage at all

Your DC has a dreadful diet, hardly any g fruit or veg

I don't think it's great but it isn't dreadful. At least he's eating the right amount of calories. Lots of toddlers won't even eat half of it

Op I'm not sure if this will be any use as I don't have experience of ASD. Ds is older now but does have sensory / coordination issues.

When he was your ds' age on an average day he'd eat

Big bowl of Cheerios with milk
Some cherry tomatoes (if we squeezed the seeds out)
A small yoghurt
Half a baked potato with cheese

That was it. He wasn't vegetarian (I am) but didn't like meat at that age. He is a total carnivore now.

I do think though that your dh can worry all he likes but if he was that worried he'd allow you to try your ds with meat / fish. I have been vegetarian for 30 years since I was in primary school and feel very strongly about it but if I was worried about nutrition in my kids I wouldn't stop them eating meat. As it happens I've always offered vegetarian and meat options and ds eats meat like there's no tomorrow whereas dd is much more inclined to be vegetarian most days

Encourage him to use a knife/fork spoon. Make mealtimes fun as frustrating as it can be.

Again, it doesn't work. We try of course but he just doesn't understand. And he doesn't understand meal times because he isn't aware that's what it is. There's not any recognition there when you mention food. His face is blank but I'm not surprised because he won't engage for much smaller things either like 'Look, I have a toy'. Just doesn't get it

Can you try hidden veg in pasta sauce etc ? I would still keep offering different foods each evening instead could just be what your eating so you don’t have to make something else. Then offer the weetabix later on if he won’t eat anything. Could you discuss with partner about eating fish as a compromise ? My baby is pescatarian I don’t want him to eat meat at the moment as he’s so little lots of people judge me on it but i don’t care. He eats lots of tuna jacket potatoes, fish fingers, lentils are good to mix in things and also tofu can be cut up really small an mixed into a pasta sauce or soup etc.

I’d also switch to full fat milk and give lots of dairy , yoghurt & cheese you could add fresh fruit to yoghurt ?