Toddler deciding he doesn't like meat

[sparkymummy]

We are about 90% veggie as only get free range meat etc so can anly afford it as a treat. DS used to eat a bit of meat and a fair bit of fish but recently he has decided he doesn't like either. He is not a fussy eater and will try meat/fish everytime he gets given it without a prob but always spits it out and says he doesn't like it. I don't think its the taste, more the texture. I'm not sure whether to persevere cooking meals I'm pretty sure he'll only eat bits of, or phase out meat and fish totaaly for the time being. Anyone else had a siomilar experience

Yes. ds2 used to love meat and then went totally off it. I still served it and if he didn't eat it, no big deal. I thought it better that he keep seeing it on his plate, without any pressure to actually eat it and he'd make his own mind up in the end! They don't need meat as you know, they can have a balanced diet without it. I'd suggest making most of his meal other stuff, but putting a tiny piece on as well if you happen to be having it, and if he doesn't eat it, don't even mention it.

It won't hurt him not to eat meat - there are plenty of other ways of getting protein into him.

His tastes will probably change again as he gets older and wants to experiment more with his food.

Dd2 is rather lazy with meat, I presume ot needs slightly more chewing.

She goes through phases of eating it, then nt eating it.

ds has never eaten meat or fish - he refuses it all.

TBH it is quite a different texture from everything else and is more work to eat.

As long as they get plenty of protein from other sources it isn't a prob.

He's only little - he may change his mind when he goes to school, and others are eating it and if not then it's not an unhealthy diet if you are geared up to it (sounds like you are).

I would keep your family diet the same and just do him a veggie alternative - it's not something he has to eat (like fruit/veg) so I wouldn't make it something he has to do.

What about essential fats without oily fish? Does anyone know any good veggie sources? Hes a big fan of dairy, although is not keen on eggs. Will eat most beans and pulses but does make him very windy!!

There's some info here on vegetarian diets for preschool children.

avocadoes are good source of fats

There's some more info here

scroll down for children's nutrition

If it's a texture thing, you might like to try marinating the meat in something acidic for a while (eg chicken marinated in lemon, parsley, garlic, olive oil or whatever) - it makes the meat much tenderer and easier to eat. Also, I would make sure you think about iron. Protein is easy with eggs, cheese, beans etc but iron is a little harder. Dried fruit, avocado, eggs can all help with this. I think lots of kids go through a temporary veggie phase, from what I've seen.