Anyone else have REALLY fussy eaters? How do you cope?

[mamadiva]

I really need help with this, I am so sick of making 3 different (I use the term loosely) meals everynight.

DS (4) will eat- cold sausage rolls, jam/lemon curd/butter/chocolate spread sandwich, french toast, toast and cheese (sometimes), toast , cereal and bananas and yoghurts. Along with usual crap that does not actually constitute food crisps, sweets etc.

DP (25 years bloody old) will NOT eat- any vegetables unless mashed potato not even in sauces, pasta, beans with anything other than pies/fry up/sausage rolls, cheesey things unless pizza, anything fishy and soups unless heinz tomato.

Honestly I've seen him sifting a Pot feckin noodle to get the orange and green 'veg' out

It is all driving me a bit mad as we can't afford to buy for everyone every night and I feel guilty as hell that my son won't eat anything else but with his dad being the way is it any wonder really? I've put on A LOT of weight due going along with DP's shoddy diet and I just need to get it sorted atleast for em.

Is anyone else in this situation? What do you do?

TIA

Ask your DP to make his own meals.

I totally understand and I am in a similar boat. I started a thread the other day (I give up- please help me!) and got some really helpful answers and ideas.

I have set a menu for the week (took some planning as I have fussy eaters too). If DH won't eat what's given to him he has to go and help himself. I am hoping this will work. Its stuff like Fish Pie, grilled fish, Moussaka (without the aubergines), meatloaf etc

Also, I put hidden veg in Shepherd's Pie and Chili etc, such as frozen spinach, boiled red lentils, pureed carrot, and nobody notices.

I don't know if any of this has helped, but I am in the same boat and completely sympathise!

Tell your DP to grow up and eat the meal that is put in front of him FGS. A grown man picking out the veg!

Once you and your DP are eating normal meals your DC will follow suit.

Luckily I have only 1 fussy eater (dd2 age 5). I use this strategy: everything in serving bowls/dishes on the table so everyone helps themselves to the bits they want, and I cook whatever I'm going to cook (e.g roast dinner)but add basic straight-out-of-fridge&cupboard side-dishes as a substitution choice (e.g grated cheese/dinosaur ham/sausage roll/crisps [horror!]) so that there's always no-pressure choice. Keyword that - choice. This has helped dd2 (and me - no stress) as she can join in and enjoy dinner, and she's gradually trying new food now.

tell your dp to grow up

my 5 year has a very limited range of food she will eat but since starting school and having school meals she has begun to choose to try different things, she never says she likes anything but will try them again and again, just a little bite and one day I hopw she will like them

at the mo, I cook tea she likes and tea she doesn't like, on thise days she take a tiny bite, says she doesn't like it and waits till supper time which is only fruit or toast/bread

Yep, your dp needs to make an effort - he's not exactly setting an example here is he ?

Watch a few episodes of Freaky Eaters with him and show him that he can get on and eat real food too

Your DP's diet and fussy eating doesn't have to affect what your DS eats OP.

I'm an extremely fussy eater but you can list the things DD won't eat on one hand.

And cece - doesn't sound like it in this case, but for adult "fussy" eaters, it's not just a case of growing up, it can actually be a phobia you know.