Comments on: 10 Nutrition “Must-Halves” for Picky Eaters

By: Tony VanK

Tony VanK — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 07:34:59 +0000

My 2 year old daughter has Autism Spectrum Disorder which adds sensory problems to an already picky palette. I have to find creative ways to get proteins into my kid such as blending avocados into fruit smoothies and using eggs in pancake mix and french toast instead of the water only mixes. I also give her soy milk since she is lactose intolerant.
There are several foods that I know she likes the taste of but if the consistency is wrong or her mood is ‘off’ then she just won’t eat. I find myself creating distractions in order to get her to eat which could develop into bad habits but I don’t know what else to do to get her a balanced diet.
I need to talk to her pediatrician to find a liquid multivitamin that won’t upset her stomach since I found that poly-vi-sol really tears her gut up.

By: Web morsels | Fix Me A Snack

Web morsels | Fix Me A Snack — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:27:57 +0000

[...] Meeting children’s nutritional needs without vegetables (titled: 10 Nutrtion Must Haves for Picky Eaters) from Raise Healthy Eaters. [...]

By: Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen, MS, RD

Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen, MS, RD — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:53:44 +0000

Liz,

That quesadilla sounds delicious! Thanks for alerting me to the link. I just fixed it!

By: Liz - Meal Makeover Mom

Liz - Meal Makeover Mom — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:14:01 +0000

There are so many creative ways to get more veggies on the table. I agree with your recommendation to serve sweet potato fries. My two boys would eat them every day, that’s how much they love em. It’s funny … because the other day, I made quesadillas with sauteed zucchini (which was cut into 1/4-inch dice), white beans, lowfat cheese, and some seasoning. My 14-year old son said, “Mom, you know I don’t like zucchini,” to which I replied, “ah, but you’ll love it in these quesadillas.” After he tried a few bites, he declared that he loved me because they were so good (see, even teenagers can be sweet to their moms). BTW, your DHA link doesn’t work for me. Can you share it with us again?

By: Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen, MS, RD

Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen, MS, RD — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:53:53 +0000

Kristina,

Young children need to be offered food every few hours. It’s really normal for their eating to be erratic which is why frequent mini-meals works best. For more info go to http://www.raisehealthyeaters.com/category/feeding-strategies/

Some articles that you might find especially helpful include:
http://www.raisehealthyeaters.com/2009/07/kids-planned-meals-and-snacks/
http://www.raisehealthyeaters.com/2009/11/how-to-make-family-dinners-more-kid-friendly/
http://www.raisehealthyeaters.com/2009/09/5-reasons-moms-should-rethink-food-handouts/

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!

By: kristiina

kristiina — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:47:39 +0000

Thank you for this great list. I have an almost 3 year old and a 4 year old with varied likes and dislikes…we stopped giving snacks last week in an effort to create more hunger and better eating at mealtimes…it completely backfired. They were sooo hungry, they weren’t hungry and by day 7 of almost eating nothing, my 4 year old was laying on the floor moaning that his stomach hurt (hunger pains!). Today, I started a schedule. 7am breakfast/9healthysnack/noonlunch/3pmhealthysnack/5:30dinner….wish me luck!

And now I’m going to go back and search this site as I need all the help I can get!!!

Thanks again, kristiina

By: Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen, MS, RD

Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen, MS, RD — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:38:14 +0000

Thanks Jennifer!! I don’t know what I would do without the structure of regular meals and snacks. I’m glad things are going well for you.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 20:59:12 +0000

Great Tips! Your suggestion of having a plan really does help with picky eaters. I have been astonished with the results with my 4 year old. Thank you so much for all your postings, they are so very helpful!

By: Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen, MS, RD

Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen, MS, RD — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:59:42 +0000

Thanks Brenda. I just checked out your site and looks great! I can always more meal planning tips.

It’s tempting to cater to kids but it does more harm than good. Hopefully more parents are learning that.

By: Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)

Meal Plan Mom (Brenda) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 01:33:23 +0000

Great tips! I am constantly puzzled by the number of parents that are happy to let their kids be picky eaters and cater to them (and many times their unbalanced eating habits as well!) True, it takes patience but eventually it will pay off (at least it did for us). Just recently came across your site…tons of good info. here!