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Original poster

My toddler won't eat meat?

61 replies

giraffes2021 · 15/03/2023 17:42

Wondering if anyone has any recommendations my little boy for the last 6 months or so will not eat chicken/fish/beef
He will eat mince (spag bol) and he will eat sausage and mash etc.

Do I keep trying ? We are very much a meat pot veg household so we will have roast dinners he won't eat the chicken or beef but will eat everything else! I've made chicken curry tonight will not eat the chicken! Points and says urgh chicken! Haha now I don't know if it's just a phase and he does it as a thing now! I'm going to speak to nursery as I'm sure he eats whatever they give him!!

So do I just not bother or shall I keep offering ?? He certainly isn't living off mince and sausages can't stand the things ha!

OP posts:
wibblewobbleball · 15/03/2023 17:46

Same as anything they go through a phase of "not liking". Keep offering, and keep involving them in meal prep and cooking too.

RampantIvy · 15/03/2023 17:47

You could increase your repertoire and not just focus on meat and two veg meals. There are loads of vegetarian foods that aren't "worthy" - pizza, loads of pasta dishes, quiche.

We should all be eating less meat anyway.

Iamdarkmode · 15/03/2023 17:47

I'm the same. It's the texture. (I love the taste!)

TwoMonthsOff · 15/03/2023 17:48

Maybe he wants to be vegetarian 🤷🏻‍♀️

IncompleteSenten · 15/03/2023 17:48

If he doesn't like it, that's fine. He can have a healthy diet without meat too. Continue to offer a wide range of foods and don't make it a battle.

RampantIvy · 15/03/2023 17:49

DD was never fond of meat. She became pescatarian at 15 and fully vegetarian at 16. She is a fantastic and very imaginative cook now (she is 22)

fruitandfibreg · 15/03/2023 17:49

My toddler is the same. We joke she's going to be vegan as its very much in where we live

Emmamoo89 · 15/03/2023 17:49

RampantIvy · 15/03/2023 17:47

You could increase your repertoire and not just focus on meat and two veg meals. There are loads of vegetarian foods that aren't "worthy" - pizza, loads of pasta dishes, quiche.

We should all be eating less meat anyway.

Not going to happen. My son loves meat.

Just keep offering it op 😊

newusernamegloria · 15/03/2023 17:51

I think it's a texture thing / more work to chew meat at that age. Keep offering and I think it will just be a phase.

Original poster
giraffes2021 · 15/03/2023 17:52

Well I just mean we are mainly meat with pasta vegetables rice or some form or meat in most of our meals, wraps stews etc - we don't really eat pizza or quiche etc but I will try and mix it up.

OP posts:
MyBrotherIsATit · 15/03/2023 17:52

Can you make a smaller dish of the same ingredients replacing chicken with chickpeas

TheVanguardSix · 15/03/2023 17:59

My kids never really liked meat until they were around 7/8 years old. My youngest is going on 9 and he still only eats mince in spag bol/chili/burgers/meatballs and also, he likes fish. Doesn’t like chicken. Doesn’t like roast or steaks.
I think it can be a texture thing and sometimes their palate just takes longer to mature. As long as he’s getting the nutrients/nutrition he needs, that’s what’s important.

Itsgottobeme · 15/03/2023 18:38

giraffes2021 · 15/03/2023 17:52

Well I just mean we are mainly meat with pasta vegetables rice or some form or meat in most of our meals, wraps stews etc - we don't really eat pizza or quiche etc but I will try and mix it up.

Have u asked him why?

Flowersinmai · 15/03/2023 18:40

It’s likely a texture thing. Id definitely Ask nursery. Have you tried a chicken pie with very small pieces of chicken ? Or recipies with chicken mince - as an experiment.

SharonEllis · 15/03/2023 18:43

Its brilliant he doesn't like meat - much healthier to eat a plant based diet for us and the planet, and we all need to eat less meat. Go with it but ensure he's getting enough protein etc

Emmamoo89 · 15/03/2023 18:51

SharonEllis · 15/03/2023 18:43

Its brilliant he doesn't like meat - much healthier to eat a plant based diet for us and the planet, and we all need to eat less meat. Go with it but ensure he's getting enough protein etc

Its not going to happen. There's always going to be more meat eaters 😊 my son loves meat thank fully.

Beamur · 15/03/2023 18:59

I'm not a vegetarian but my DD started refusing to eat meat once she knew where it came from. She wasn't quite 2. Has only recently started eating some occasionally now (she's 16)
Texture can be off putting plus chewing - hence the preference for sausage and mince, it's just easier to eat. Offer it cut up smaller maybe? Or more slow cooked meat so the texture is less chewy.

MargaritMargo · 15/03/2023 19:04

It won’t hurt him to eat less meat or no meat. Just learn some more dishes, open google up and type “healthy vegetarian meals for toddlers”

He may decide he likes it again or he may not. If he simply didn’t like bananas would you keep trying to force them or just accept it and give him an apple instead….

MargaritMargo · 15/03/2023 19:10

Emmamoo89 · 15/03/2023 18:51

Its not going to happen. There's always going to be more meat eaters 😊 my son loves meat thank fully.

Show quote history

Great for him. And you.

btw, meat eaters live shorter lives than those who eat less / no meat. Also have statistically higher chances of developing most cancers.

lots of evidence out there.

But it’s nice that you’re not overly concerned about inflicting that on your child

icypompoms · 15/03/2023 19:35

Stick a tin of lentils in the stuffing mix so he'll have protein on his roast and he won't notice.

Deathbyfluffy · 15/03/2023 19:37

MargaritMargo · 15/03/2023 19:10

Great for him. And you.

btw, meat eaters live shorter lives than those who eat less / no meat. Also have statistically higher chances of developing most cancers.

lots of evidence out there.

But it’s nice that you’re not overly concerned about inflicting that on your child

Show quote history

Can we keep the vegan / vegetarian bleating off a thread where the OP just wants advice?
If we wanted a lecture, we'd ask for one.

icypompoms · 15/03/2023 19:38

Porridge: mash up a spoonful of a tin of white beans (yes really) and stir in his porridge. Whizz up nuts and seeds to go in too.

Humous in his sandwiches and wraps.

Suzi888 · 15/03/2023 19:43

RampantIvy · 15/03/2023 17:49

DD was never fond of meat. She became pescatarian at 15 and fully vegetarian at 16. She is a fantastic and very imaginative cook now (she is 22)

I never liked meat much either
as a child.

You are not allowed to say that on mn 😂it incites hatred! Lol you have to stuff your face with meat as much as possible, at least multiple times a day.

Suzi888 · 15/03/2023 19:47

@Deathbyfluffy Calm yourself. Don’t let the vegan upset you. 💐

The child isn’t going to die if it doesn’t eat meat, but does need to top up on certain vitamins and minerals if they aren’t included in the diet.

In fact my G.P says all children should have a vitamin these days as our foods are lacking in them for a variety of reasons.

RampantIvy · 15/03/2023 19:53

Will he eat fish @giraffes2021?