2 1/2 yr old with cold won't eat a thing.

[ErinH]

I've tried most things. He normally eats fairly light meals. He's never been a big eater, but will tuck away a whole bowl of pasta and pesto (always a winner).
He has a cold at the moment and hasn't touched a meal or food in 3 days.
I am giving him more fluids, so perhaps he feels full with the liquid.
It's his attitude to it that worries me. Everything is "dirty". All the food he usually has (cereal, toast, pasta etc) has suddenly become "yuck" and "dirty". I have to admit, it makes me a little mad as I can't help feeling it's a bit rude (I know he's only 2!!) but need some sure win solutions of food that will be of benefit (he'll still eat yogurt and jelly by the bucket load, if I let him, but can't help feeling they're not providing the vitamins and minerals he needs to get over the cold).
Any suggestions for food to feed a fussy 2 1/2yr old with a cold?

let him eat what he wants for the next day or two

ignore comments, remove rejected food without any fuss

good luck

it's hard to disentangle food as an expression of love and care when it's rejected, non?

If you feel his appetite loss is related to his cold then I don't think you need worry. Plenty of fluids and let him eat what he likes for a few days. Ice cream, custard, rice pudding? Toast? (Is his throst sore btw?)

dont owrry about it

it is not rude, hes not weel and tiny

just offer food, take away if he doesn't want with no comment

you wouldn't want to be chadtised for not eating when you weren't well would you

it does not matter if he doesn't eat for a good few days

lots of fluid and cuddles

i don't know if he has a sore throat. he's very snotty and red, so could be.
i'll try the food you mentioned, he won't turned down ice cream, i'm sure. He came into my bed last night for the first time, so must be bad (god, he doesn't stop wriggling)
will give him a warm bath and administer cuddles.
thank you!

Oh Boys that's v true - the rejection of food/rejection of love thing.

Agree about food - he'll eat when he's ready. Not enough fluids is a problem, a few days of not eating much isn't. Let him eat what he wants but if possible, lay off the yogurts a bit - they will snot him up even more, as will tons of milk. But don't refuse him fluids, just see you can persuade him to have more jelly than yogurt. And make the jelly up wiht fresh fruit juice, rather than water, to up the vitamins.

I'm glad you said that. I thought I'd read that dairy worsens snot (and skin conditions). good idea re the fruit juice. he's still eating fresh fruit so will fill him up on that and liquids.

and it's true. i've spend most of my adult life romancing men with home cooked meals so have always seen it as a way to the heart (i blame my mother - she'd cook a bacon sandwich for a passer-by if he stopped long enough to tie his shoelace!!)

Yes exactly jiggery IMO dairy gives some people colds and allergic reactions.

He may well be suffering from nausea! Some of that snot will be running down into his tummy. Let him eat what he likes, give lots of fluid and if you are really worried give him a vitamin supplement.