21 m.o. Won't eat fish or meat :(

[dysx8]

Is it just a phase or is there something I can do to encourage her to change her mind?! She has most of her teeth through now do it shouldn't be a problem. Hmmm...?!

MY DD went through a similar phase at about that age, she just wasn't keen on meat. She'd maybe eat a bit of a fish finger or a bite or two of chicken, but that was it. I just kept offering it to her and making sure she ate plenty of things like cheese and yogurts for protein. She eventually started to eat more and now, at 2.5yo, she'll eat fish, chicken and sausages happily, although she's still not fussed about red meat.

Glad it's not just us. Hopefully it will pass as it makes me worry a lot. Frustrating to see your child not eating :(

I had to mush meat and fish into things when ds2 was that age. Otherwise, he couldn't be bothered with the chewing. I'd chop chicken into teeny pieces or blend bits into sauces so he didn't know they were there.

He started to get better like Earnest's dd around 2.5 ish.

Now, he's a total meat and fish fiend.

Really frustrating when you're trying to get protein into them, but I think it's one of those things that take time with some. Remember they do get protein from lots of other sources too. Mine drank loads of milk and I was told not to worry. Good luck!

I was gonna say... Gave her one of those chicken Heinz meals for lunch and she ate it all, so I have a suspicion I might have more luck if I use blender on everything for now. Fingers crossed and thanks! :)

FiFiFish and meat aren't the be all, and end all. DD (2 years old) is veggie and always has been. There are loads of other sources of protein to try :-) have a look on some veggie websites for ideas...

I think it was the texture that was offputting to my DD as well. Chewing meat isn't easy when you're used to softer textures.

Also, I remembered, eggs are a good alternative protein source. And she would eat the sausages in baked beans (although I'd limit those to once a week, as they're quite salty).

DD was like this when she was little. Didn't eat any meat until she was nearly 3 and rarely had fish. We made sure she was getting plenty of protein through beans, pulses etc.

Gradually she moved onto eating meat/fish until Easter this year (now 10) when she decided that she'd like to be vegetarian. I think it's a texture thing with the meat for her rather than any ethical beliefs.

Anyway we are supporting her as a family on the understanding that she will be flexible when we're out or on holiday. It's worked well so far and i feel we're all eating a lot healthier as a result.

Just be patient with your DD and make sure she's getting protein in other ways.

My DD wasn't keen on meat for a while. She REALLY likes to eat beans and chickpeas with her fingers though. Maybe buy a couple of cans of cannelli beans or chickpeas and try your toddler on those? Beans are really great healthy high-fibre source of protein.

I refused meat and fish as a toddler, to my mum's utter frustration. Still don't eat it - I just don't like it at all. It may be a hassle for you, but your child may just be a natural veggie like me, and she'll be fine without meat so long as she gets a balanced diet with plenty of pulses etc.

Have you tried 'mushing' the meat in to food? In a kind of attempt to hide it?

We found that strongish flavours (not incredibly spicy) worked better. My DC didn't like chicken or pieces of meat, or cooked veg, but would hoover them up in a tasty casserole or curry, so long as the meat was really soft. If you have a slow cooker, it's very easy to have really tender meat and chicken.

lots of kids don't like the texture/chewing slices of meat of fish, so you could dice up meat into a casserole for example, or do a fish pie with the emphasis on mostly mash with a cheesy sauce, diced cod and onions underneath. I do a tomato-based pasta sauce that has tomatoes/garlic/onion/diced or blitzed veg such as courgette, celery and carrot in and then add shredded or finely diced turkey/chicken or tuna or minced beef, that all works really well with pasta shapes or spagetti and loads of goodness in there, I often add a dollop of soft cheese to the sauce to make it a bit creamy as well! Same sauce recipe can be simmered and then made into shepherds pie. Or a simple pasta cheese sauce can have diced/shredded turkey or chicken added to it easily. if you're an accomplished cook homemade ravioli with blended meat in can be gorgeous!! Mine is 2.8 and still won't eat meat or fish in slices or just as meat or fish but loves the above recipes! He will eat small pieces of chicken now sometimes :)

My 2.5 year old will only eat fish in the form of fishfingers, mince in spag bol, and chicken nuggets . Oh, and she's just started eating bacon and ham which I am sadly overjoyed about

oh and you can added finely diced white meat or fish to rice if yours likes the texture of rice (mine has sadly gone orf rice boohoo hoping its just a phase as I liked making risotto for all of us to eat grr)

mine also loves the ubiqitous fishfinger as well - I always do a mash of pot/sweet potato/root veg/carrot to go with it though!

Oooh I like the diced meat in rice idea Brighton, my DD loves rice (at the moment!)

Try smoked salmon - seriously dd loved it from even younger - that's the only fish she would eat. Dd refused meat for a long time too but eventually ate sausages. She will now at nearly 3 eat fish fingers. I worried about it when she was younger but I don't now - she survived!

Wait - you can get your kids to eat spaghetti Bol - envy! U make stunning home made with all sorts of goodies in it but dd won't touch it never has - only plain pasta is acceptable

Ha ha - I was impressed by the smoked salmon!

The bol has to be completely separate from the spag though

at the seperate bol and spagetti - these things are sent to try us thats for sure... ! mine had 3 mouthfuls tonight of a homemade ravioli he normally likes (spinach/cheese filling) and said 'no no all gone' to the rest of the bowl argh. Then happily ate a slice of malt loaf and a yoghurt ah well. I used to do a small piece of salmon fillet boiled in milk then shredded into mashed buttery potato which he always liked, but again not lately; don't know if he would eat salmon on its own let alone smoked salmon. mine also likes the (asda's own brand) new potato and carrot mini waffles, they are really good if you have a kid that likes either convenience type things or prefers dry or finger foods! they something like 60% potato and 40% carrot, no nasties. :)

I was envious when out with friends children, of similar age, who happily ate a roast dinner in a resterant type situation! Mine only ate the yorkshire pud and only if its dry, won't touch gravy.

brightonbleach i have two kids who won't touch gravy either. Dry Yorkshire pudding for them too

I really wouldn't worry. I have been vegetarian my entire life and have always been healthy (I'm 5'10", healthy weight), so it won't do them any harm if they don't eat meat.