Running out of meals my children will eat

[stressedouttofuck]

My toddler is pretty much refusing all food and I know that everyone will say it’s normal and maybe, it’s still really stressful though. My four year old used to be a good eater as in he’d eat most foods but needs a lot of encouragement, you mostly need to feed him.

Has anyone got any suggestions? The usual bolognaise, shepherds pie types they’ve refused and they won’t eat picnic style food.

And getting them involved with cooking wherever possible helps with mine as they'll then sometimes try stuff. E.g. my daughter won't touch hummus, but will sometimes try some chickpeas if she's helping me cook something for mine and her dad's dinner.

At this age they hate "mixed" food & sauces.

Separate things out a bit but keep the main components of the meal. Replace spaghetti bolognese with plain pasta, meatballs and a simple tomato sauce (eg fry onion/grated carrot/celery, add tinned tomatoes, whizz it in blender) on the side. Don't mix it up.

Mash is never popular. Try sausages with roast potatoes or boiled/air fried new potatoes. Replace a curry with seasoned chicken pieces (satay is good as its like peanut butter which most children like) plain rice, and green veg steamed on the side.

Roast dinners were always popular. Vary up the meat served

Fishcakes are good.

To reassure you op, age 2 is peak picky eater.

My dd was terrible at that age. So picky, ate few fruit and veg, picky about almost everything except plain pasta

Now age 5 will eat:
Cucumber, cherry tomatoes, beetroot, yellow peppers, carrots, broccoli, peas, sweetcorn, spinach in sauces
Melon, mango, strawberry, apple, raspberry, grapes, bananas, blackberries

Plus a normal range of meals

First rule? They actually rarely need snacks. Drop them and you will find they will be properly hungry for meals and eat more.

Second rule: they don't need as much as you think. At this age mine used to over fill up on large portions of plain, palatable starches like sweetened cereal, weetabix or fruiry porridge at breakfast, then turn down a healthy more balanced lunch with veg & protein.

I was going to say the same thing!!

OP, just give them what they will eat at the moment, banana and cod (presumably not together!), ok then

Milk, ok then

And as you say, teeth coming through, ear infection that will make a big difference to how they feel.

Likely going through something? Teething? Unwell?

try different types of pasta shapes
rice based dishes?
different potatoes

the way we do it is make sure the carb changes - fave part 🙄 and then mix it up with whatever

our little toddler loves marry me chicken with pasta! Protein is a pain so we shred it small

loves anything round - so a sushi roll (cucumber maki)

ketchup with most things

cheesy pastas.
cream cheese, Tom puree and pasta

curry and rice and bread/naan

eggy bread

A variety to pick from sometimes helps.

Agree with this.
Don’t make it a thing.

It's so tricky when the little ones are going through fussy stage.
My 4 year old is just starting to 'try' new foods but my 1 year old is just starting to refuse things he used to eat 😭 😭 😭

We found the easiest way to get veg in was homemade lentil/tomato/veg soup (blended off course!) And we let her drink it with a straw for the novelty! And now she loves it and asks for it!
If your wee one is maybe teething I've found greek yoghurt mixed with a fruit pouch goes down ok. Or even porridge. I put some milled linseed in for hidden nutrion.

Is there any food that they ask for?

@stressedouttofuck did this get any better for you? If so, what helped? I'm going through this now with my toddler. So stressful 😔

@stressedouttofuck

OP I came here for some suggestions and tips for myself but most of these replies I have tried with zero success. So I just wanted to say I can completely sympathise with you because I am also completely losing the will at dinner time.

Soup??

What have you eaten today? Is it the same as is being offered to the children? I would offer the same as what I was having so they can learn from you

Have you tried home made soup and home made smoothies? By ‘picnic food’ do you mean sandwiches?