I need help with my son's eating

[Rosebud1302]

I've posted about this before but my son was much younger and I was hoping he would start eating better by now. Well, he hasn't :( he is nearly 2.5 and just wants carbs. Dinner is the worst meal by far. He won't eat any vegetables (he might pick up one or two bits of sweetcorn). Won't eat meat or fish. Just wants pasta (and even then he is fussy if it's in some sauces) or bread based things. Of course he will eat freezer shit. I want to point out that this NOT all I give him at all. Far from it. I cook a wide range of healthy meals but he won't touch them. It's getting me down and I'm really getting frustrated now. I try so hard (and apart from tonight, succeed) in not getting annoyed but I just want him to eat :( he eats so well at nursery. Every single amazing healthy meal they offer. Often two portions. So what am I doing wrong?! I'm so conscious he isn't getting the foods he needs.

I have tried completely not talking about food at all. Doesn't matter, he just won't eat it. I've tried asking him to try it. He might sometimes put a bit in his mouth then spits it out. I always make sure there is at least one thing on his plate he likes. He eats that and asks for more (I don't give him more as I know he will just fill up on that - it's the carbs he wants).

I know he's young. I get that. But I just can't see this changing. I think I need some help from someone. Can you pay for eating consultants like you can sleep consultants?! Or can anyone offer advice or reassurance that this might not be him forever!!

Sorry. Dramatic post. I'm having a bad day haha.

You say he has an hour between a snack and dinner- I think that’s not long enough. He needs to be hungry. I wouldn’t be particularly hungry if I’d has a snack an hour before a meal

Thank you @Poppinjay that's really good advice. Last night I put a shareable bowl of a few things in the middle of the table and let him pick. No pressure at all and he did so well! Ate vegetables, picked at the pie but overall I was proud. I did tell him I was proud but maybe I should see if that's a good idea or not. That's a good point about added pressure.

@FelicityBob sorry it probably didn't read clearly. It said hours plural. He will have a all snack about 3 and dinner is half 5 :)

I am wondering if all the nursery meals are what my DS calls "sauce meals"? Spag bol, chili, casserole, moussaka, curry etc??
DS barely touches anything that hasn't got a sauce to it, he hates the textures of dryer foods.

Good point @haba
Another thing to consider is that not only are nursery staff more laid back about how much children eat, they are often a lot more relaxed about mess. This means that children get to experience the texture and smells of some foods without having to put them in their mouths. That can really help children to accept a wider variety of foods and they naturally take their time and start eating them when they are ready.

He might prefer his food made in a certain way. Could he have sensory issues? I know someone that can only eat raw carrots as opposed to cooked ones.

You might find this helpful www.childfeedingguide.co.uk/tips/common-feeding-pitfalls/pressure-eat/

If it makes you feel better little ones need carbs to grow so its good that your lo likes it. They dont have to SHOW interest in veggies just hide them in their food 🤭 i do that all the time!

Grated courgette cooked with rice, spinach sauce for pasta, carrot and peppers in red sauce, all kinds of grated 🙈 (mushroom in eggs haha i got him!)

Sone kids like veggies displayed as a pic like smiley face lol.

When i look at what DS ate nursery its always some sort of saucy stuff(bolognese,curry) with vegetables so i guess thats the way!