2 YR OLD WONT EAT A 'HOT' DINNER?

[Merlin]

DS2 rarely eats dinner in the evening, but I know if I gave him a sandwich it would be gone in seconds!!

I have tried giving him something hot for lunch, but that doesn't work either!

Don't like putting him to bed with no dinner - I usually let him have a couple of yogs so he's not completely starving! It's just that he's missing out on his meat and veg!

Any suggestions or advice please?

Wont he eat a hot dinner cold?

Hillary - no, only very rarely when he's sat at the table for long enough!

DD1 is the same, she will eat chicken, or meat only from the plate. Unless it's pasta or noodles.
I make sure she eats cucmber and tomatoes for lunch every day, plus fruit when she will. And cook pasta/noodles every other day, so she only goes without every other day.

Sorry, know it's not quitet he same, but will he eat cold veg. DD1 will eat raw carrot too.

Oh god, please let there be some advice on here, ds does the same (17monts)I've decided to cut his milk intake a little, and make sure there is at least 2-3hours before dinner to see if he gets hungry enough. Starting today, so I'll let you know if it works.

have you tried cold things - cold meats, chicken legs, carrot sticks, taramasala or humous with pitta, cheese, mini pizzas etc? My dd loves these - we call them our 'picnics' (mind you, she's 15)!

My DS (2) is exactly as you described to the letter except he's not big on sandwiches either! I can't remember the last time he actually ate a whole dinner with meat and veg. Someone on another thread said always put at least one thing they like on their plate so they can eat something from it and don't worry about putting weird foods together. I cook most meals knowing that he won't eat any of it except the carrots!
Have you tried blitzing it all up with gravy? That worked for a while with my DS but even that is a no now. I know it's going backwards but I've tried everything.
As long as he's having iron and protein from other sources, that's cool. It doesn't have to look like a meat/veg/gravy dinner, although it would look a lot more pleasing to the eye if I wasn't giving him sultanas, cheerios, carrots and pasta on the same plate!!!

Hmm 2 year olds can be rather difficult in their eating patterns, usually something they faze out but bloody difficult to us in the meantime. I'd serve him cold foods for a little while and introduce warm foods, gradually getting them warmer and warmer so as not to notice IYKWIM

Some people would not give them anything until dinner time and serve it as a no option sinario. Dont worry too much as long as he's getting his nutrients and eating well he should grow out of it.

BOM - at the mo he will not touch any meat (not even nice ham ). No to raw carrot too. Doesn't like pasta and sauce either - only the Organix jar stuff occasionally - is that bad?

I just keep putting it in front of him, in the hope that one day he might actually try something rather than push it round his plate.

DS will eat a cooked meal but always asks hopefully whether it's a cold one - his favourite food is cheese sandwich...Have you tried cooked finger food - veg, chopped up sausage, strips of chicken, potato wedges, etc? We sometimes scramble an egg and serve it a selection of the above and that seems to go down better than, say, pasta in sauce.

Silly question - would he eat a toastie?

both my kids love 'long wormy spaghetti' but don't like sauce so I mix it with butter and cheese and serve it with peas and corn. My DD (5) says it's her favourite. DS will also eat porridge if I tell him the bears will eat it if he doesn't. Sometimes, telling stories and making up funny names for the food works for a while at least!

Thanks everyone for your comments.

Luciemule - he does often end up with a plate of jumbled food - very unappetising to me!!

Will he drink a smoothie?...you can put all sorts into them, yes even a little bit of meat can be disguised!

If he will eat the organix jars then great, dont feel bad about it they all go through these episodes just give him what he will eat for now and reintroduce other foods to him. Sometimes my dd does this to me, she loves organix jars and I do keep a stock of them in my cupboard 'just in case'

Loads of ideas! Thanks everyone - will get creative in the kitchen!!!

has someone entoned pasta already? especially pesto pasta?

dont give yogs

How about baking with him or getting him to help you make dinner - if he makes it he will probably eat it.

Hillary - glad I'm not the only one with a stock of jars!!!!

my ds is 2 and exactly the same. the only thing he'll eat is macaroni and cheese.

then some carrot cake.

you could watch Big Cook Little Cook with him and the make something with him from the show

dolmio do a great kids pasta sauce range with little meatballs. ds will eat that too (sometimes)

OUr DS loves this - toast & split a wholemeal pitta bread in half. Spread with either some tinned tomatoes, mild salsa or similar. Top with some cheese & veggies or cooked chicken & grill until the cheese is melted & cut into fingers or small squares.

iklboo - that sounds delish - I'll make it for myself!!!!

Merlin it is - whatever DS doesn't eat I finish