Going cold turkey on fussy eating?

[ThomasRichard]

I'd like some opinions please on my latest attempt at dealing with my two fussy eaters. The DC are 5 and 2. At the moment they are pretty much only eating pasta, tomatoes, sweetcorn (not the 2yo), tomatoes, baked beans, plains wraps, fruit and fish fingers (not the 5yo). This is at home. At school and nursery they have hot meals and will eat a much wider range, but apparently school food is tastier .

I'm getting a bit fed up of it, as well as concerned that they aren't getting very much protein. I've just started getting the Hello Fresh boxes for me and I'm wondering whether to make them those meals as well without providing an alternative.

Is that too harsh or will not pandering to them work?

Would they eat plain grilled chicken?

Their diet doesn't sound too bad to be honest for a 5 and 2 year old. I would keep offering new things though

I have tried introducing small bits of something new but it just gets pushed to the side while they eat their 'normal' foods, which is why I was wondering whether all-new might be a better idea.

My personal opinion is that most kids are naturally fussy at that age and like to stick to a small repertoire of food. Isn't it an evolutionary thing to not get poisoned ?!

I know I didn't eat olives, artichokes, squid etc etc at a young age but as you grow you get more interested in different tastes.

They're getting veg, protein and carbs. If they were just eating crisps and cake I would say yes change it.

I make one meal a day that I know they'll like and one that's a bit more "experimental" (ie. for me). That way I know that they're getting plenty to eat so I don't stress if they don't eat much of their dinner (we don't give alternatives). They also get pudding regardless (although that might just be fruit/yoghurt, and I don't let them fill up on it). We have a few rules as well eg. Food stays on your plate, but if you don't like it you don't have to eat it. They get praise for trying new things.

Some meals are a surprising success and some are really not, but as long as I can keep them at least vaguely open to new things then I'm happy. I was a very fussy eater as a kid and I desperately want to avoid them turning into me!

Good luck, but try not to worry- their diet actually sounds fairly decent. I survived on dolmio and pasta for about 5 years

They're not in the 'will only eat chips and juice league' but I feel like a bad mum every time I cook yet another panful of pasta

I think they are at the naturally fussy age. Why don't you try and encourage your older one to try a few more things, she/he is of the age where he/she might be starting to broaden his or her tastes.

I wouldn't bother with the two year old for now!

My eldest is 6 and will now eat salad, beetroot and all sorts of things she would have rather died than eat 18 mths ago.

no fussiness at nursery/school indicates that you are being played like a violin.

but what they eat at home doesn't sound too bad. Don't make a drama. Offer food, accept what is eaten and that's it. Put out less to reduce waste.