16 month becoming a picky eater.

[SChappers]

Before lockdown he'd eat a lot of things give to me (within reason) but over the pass few weeks he's become increasingly more picky.

Following advise I've found. Were slowing removing more unhealthy desserts band snacks for healthier ones, stopped giving juices and just water and his morning milk and evening milk. Still giving dessert to avoid future negotiation trautums in future. And when the evening meal gets refused including dessert, we take everything away with no fuss (from us) and wait 30 mins minimum if he wants more and give him toast or a crumpet.

The odd thing is, he's never really like carbs other than rice (loves rice!) And 'eh' to toast. Bread, wraps, pasta and potatoes he's never shown and interest in. He used to eat waffles but that's gone for now. Used to eat spaghetti hoops but nope, even beans have fallen off the radar!
Never liked egg, I keep trying but I get the feeling is a texture issue, cheese is only cream cheese SOMETIMES and cut up string cheese.

I can't help but feel this is power thing due to his age and possibly lockdown and losing a lot of his routine and getting bored. Theres only so many times to can play with the same toys and go for walks in the park. But the hatred to carbs is baffling to me.

What I was told, is that kids will eat when hungry, and will be hungry when well exercised. Loads of play, indoors and outdoors should help him get hungry.

What does he eat? Plain rice? How is he with fruit and veg, will he have some raw/steamed? How about blended food (blended veggies) will he have some?

I also think juice (any sweet liquid) should be a no. Water, herbal tea, milk.

I would not focus on the carbs, blend veggies and some lentils, meat and see if he will have that.

@zookeeper19 plain rice is a 'meh' but savoury rice with veg and herb and spices are a yes. The only cold veg we can get to work (after months) is cucumber sticks. Going to try peppers this week. He used to like mash, plain and with veg mixed in but he's started playing with it and wipes it across the table. Used to eat cooked carrot pea and sweetcorn but its hit and miss so far.

The juice we used before was cordial, very weak but I'm going tee total now to reduce his sweet tooth.

Fruit, he'll eat tinned mandarins (juice I think is the kicker) but will eat bananas, blueberries by the dozen. Tries to Apple but spits it out, but keep trying. Orange slices he'll chew, sick and spit. He'll eat strawberries but causes loose stools.

Protein always seems to be his go to. Fish, chicken or beef. Eggs no unfortunately. That I guess is a bonus. They do fill for longer. I'm reducing his snack sizes as dinner is always the meal that's unpopular at the moment

As for burn off energy, we try our best with walks collecting sticks, chasing balls and flower picking. But I do miss softplay, the playground and his cousins. It just me and him all day everyday.

Oh, I think you are doing brilliantly then! Not to worry about the egg, he gets plenty of protein from meat and fish.

Personally, if he is more of a protein kid than a carbs one will only be in his advantage later on. He seems good with fruit which is really good (I was not and am not a veg eater but my LO will have veg any time, go figure...).

Yeah it is hard with no playmates for them, that is very true. Hard on us as well, as having no one but a toddler for company tends to get a bit too much at times. Wish you good luck. Strong will too, for hopefully better times to come soon.