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I'm in toddler lunch hell
Emmy eats a great breakfast and was doing ok with lunch but now she will only eat: pasta with butter and parm cheese, or hotdogs and chips, or homemade soup. I try so hard to switch it up, but she won't eat. Is it wrong to give her the same thing everyday? I guess the alternative is to keep giving her other things, but I would ratehr she eat then not KWIM? She rarely if ever eats dinner, and I do not make her a separate meal. To clarify dinner, she likes all the things we have but just won't eat it. I don't know what to do anymore. I tried smoothies but she just says to cold and tries to give it to her baby brother
Any lunch or dinner suggestions would be nice as well as advice.
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Posted 7/19/12 2:44 PM  |
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maymama
my little loves
Member since 8/08 18453 total posts
Name:
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
i try to remember that it doesnt have to be crazy - they are creatures that thrive routine so it is TOTALLY normal that they eat the same things over and over. as long as its balanced, who cares.
i try to stick to
carbs for breakfast
dairy and fruit for lunch
protein/veggies (hah) and whatever for dinner
snack - fruit, cheese, goldfish, pretzels etc.
my 26 month old's typical daily intake looks like this -
breakfast - pancakes or waffles and strawberries
morning snack - goldfish
lunch - yogurt, grapes, cheese
afternoon snack - veggie straws
dinner - chicken nuggets and watermelon. i'll try to squeeze in a veggie but he almost never touches it.
Message edited 7/19/2012 2:59:39 PM.
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| Posted 7/19/12 2:58 PM |
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saraH
happy birthday sweet kate!
Member since 5/05 16555 total posts
Name:
I know that God exsists, I held her in my arms...
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
My kids eat the same thing just about every day. I offer different things, but they want what they want.
So long as they are eating it, I give it to them. I'm not home for dinner so my dh makes then whatever thyme want. Macaroni, Mac and cheese, pizza.....or frozen pancakes, waffles.
It works for us.
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| Posted 7/19/12 3:16 PM |
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
Posted by maymama
i try to remember that it doesnt have to be crazy - they are creatures that thrive routine so it is TOTALLY normal that they eat the same things over and over. as long as its balanced, who cares.
i try to stick to
carbs for breakfast
dairy and fruit for lunch
protein/veggies (hah) and whatever for dinner
snack - fruit, cheese, goldfish, pretzels etc.
my 26 month old's typical daily intake looks like this -
breakfast - pancakes or waffles and strawberries
morning snack - goldfish
lunch - yogurt, grapes, cheese
afternoon snack - veggie straws
dinner - chicken nuggets and watermelon. i'll try to squeeze in a veggie but he almost never touches it.
This is great! I think part of the problem is that I am expecting to much from here as far as how much she should eat. Her breakfast is pretty large so maybe if I just break her stuff up into smaller meals and snacks that will help.
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| Posted 7/19/12 3:29 PM |
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I'm in toddler lunch hell
Is she filling up on snacks? I let DS help me cook and pick what we have (I give him a choice of 2/3 veges). It has been hot, maybe she just doesn't feel like eating.
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| Posted 7/19/12 3:29 PM |
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sfp0701
Liam's Mommy!
Member since 1/07 9764 total posts
Name:
Tricia
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
My toddler eats whatever he wants for breakfast during the week. We don't do a big breakfast so everyone kind of gets whatever they want. It's usually oatmeal
Same for lunch. I make my diet lunch and he gets what he wants. It's usually Pb&J or yogurt. Or both. During the school year, he gets lunch provided by daycare and it's a different very balanced meal each day.
The only time I put my foot down is dinner. He eats what I make or he doesn't eat. Since he started eating regular food I have never offered him something different than our dinner unless it's something weird, like a big salad or something crazy spicy. He has never known any different and just goes alone. If he doesn't eat a lot, he just makes up for it at his next meal. This is what the ped wants us doing also.
It works for us. As far as lunch and breakfast, I think they are creatures of habit and they are trying to assert independence. I give him his choice two meals and then he conforms for the third.
Message edited 7/19/2012 3:52:10 PM.
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| Posted 7/19/12 3:49 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
My 5 year old is incredibly picky and it's amazing how many people tell you in hushed voices that their child is the same.
DH and I also heard one of the announcers on the golf channel say that he only eats three things. I did a little cheer inside, b/c my son eats more than this 40-something year old man!
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| Posted 7/19/12 4:00 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
I don't think there is a thing wrong with a child being a picky eater. Now if they don't eat at all, that's another story. What your child eats for lunch sounds fine to me. My child only eats sandwiches or chicken for lunch.
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| Posted 7/19/12 4:01 PM |
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lynnd126
LIF Adult
Member since 3/11 2630 total posts
Name:
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
I let ds have lunch and dinner foods for breakfast because he'll;
-always eat in the morning and
-he'll always eat breakfast foods
So I feel like breakfast foods in the morning are a waste of my ammo.
Message edited 7/19/2012 4:17:34 PM.
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| Posted 7/19/12 4:15 PM |
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Waste06
Waste not, want not
Member since 6/06 7219 total posts
Name:
Lois Mom Mommy Mama Ma
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
My 3yo will eat the same 3 meals a day for months. Every now and then he'll turn his nose up to something, maybe just because he's bored, but that's when we try something different.
Dinner has the most variety because that's when he eats with us, and we try to feed him the same things we eat at least a few times a week.
Some kids will only eat mac&cheese 3x a day. Some will only eat pop tarts 3x a day.
I'm just happy he eats 3 different meals a day, even if it's cheerios and yogurt for breakfast, cold cuts for lunch, and chic cutlet and tater tots for dinner every day for 5 months.
I just care that he's eating and is healthy. Variety isn't my top priority. He's always been a very routine kind of kid, and it works for us.
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| Posted 7/19/12 4:20 PM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17792 total posts
Name:
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
Posted by Erica
My 5 year old is incredibly picky and it's amazing how many people tell you in hushed voices that their child is the same.
DH and I also heard one of the announcers on the golf channel say that he only eats three things. I did a little cheer inside, b/c my son eats more than this 40-something year old man!
I deal with an analyst in his 40s who is the same way!
DS eats the same things over and over as well.
He also goes through moods where something is his fave one week and the next week he turns his nose up at it.
It's normal to give them the same thing - and as long as they have no problem with it, it's fine.
DS is very picky and has a limited menu. I 've been trying to talk him into trying new things recently - he says he doesn't like things that I know he does like - we'll see how it goes! I'm hoping now that the baby is eating he might incorporate more things into his menu (things that need to be eaten with a spoon).
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| Posted 7/19/12 4:20 PM |
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
Posted by FreeButterfly
Is she filling up on snacks? I let DS help me cook and pick what we have (I give him a choice of 2/3 veges). It has been hot, maybe she just doesn't feel like eating.
She gets an apple or a bowl of some fruit for a snack around 2pm when she gets up. That's what she wants or maybe some cheese. We eat dinner at 5:30 or 6 and she will maybe take 1 bite. That's it. I have only made her a special meal 3 times and that was months ago. She gets what we get and that's it. Always has been that way and always will be. My concern is when she eats the same foods a lot then she just stops eating them and then never goes back I don't want to lose my only 3-4 options
She also helps me cook and I let her help decide what she wants. We go pick up the CSA veggies together and talk about how they grow and so on. I just don't know what to do. She isn't a big eater.
What is a realistic portion size for her to be eating at each meal and for snacks? Maybe i'm just expecting to much, but she has been 25lbs for 13 months now and i'm getting worried.
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| Posted 7/19/12 5:27 PM |
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LJSMommy
Love him!
Member since 10/07 3189 total posts
Name:
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
I work FT but on days I am home I will make it easy whether we are home or on the go!
I make up my own "lunchable" for him.....DS likes to graze for lunch! I put out a cheese stick, fruit (which maybe 30% of the time he actually eats ) and rolled up ham slices or lately I get the turkey pepperoni slices for him too.
Toast (or Goldfish bread) with Nutella
mac n cheese that I can sneak in a 1/4 cup of pureed butternut squash or or pureed zucchini.
Applegate Farms hotdogs (usually the turkey ones)
Grilled cheese is a BIG favorite
He will eat sandwiches too occassionally!
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| Posted 7/19/12 5:37 PM |
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ME75
Member since 10/06 4563 total posts
Name:
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
  i'm in that too and have an older DD who eats like 10 foods only too!
don't sweat it. i am glad you posted this b.c reading a lot of these posts is making me feel better!
my kids really only eat:
pancakes
waffles
yogurt
fruit (some!) i do insist they eat one after each meal.
oatmeal
eggs
pb&j
grilled cheese
mac and cheese (fake one  )
pizza
chicken nuggets or the cutlets i force them to eat when i make them
rice
pasta with butter
meatballs
i rotate these things and they don't BOTH eat all of these things some he eats and some she eats.
i hate meal time-i am so bored of the same foods
however i'm not willing to battle it out over food. i did that before and its not worth it right now to me.
i was the same way and i keep reminding myself that i eventually expanded my food choices!
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| Posted 7/19/12 9:52 PM |
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LINewbie
Tigger the the Rescue!
Member since 8/08 5647 total posts
Name:
LB
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I'm in toddler lunch hell
DS gets oatmeal or cereal for breakfast
and 9 times out of 10 a meat and cheese sandwich for lunch.
It is what I eat, and it is easy to make. He doesn't mind. I see nothing wrong w/it. He also gets fruits, veggies and yogurt every day and other snacks.
Is the ped worried that she hasn't gained any weight in a year?
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| Posted 7/26/12 1:28 PM |
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Alexmama16
LIF Zygote
Member since 10/10 38 total posts
Name:
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
I am going through the same thing. I have found that as long as she is rewarded she will eat. I stocked up on dollar store "toys" and every time he eats something she normally refuses, she gets a prize. It has worked like a charm and now will eat peas, peaches, corn, carrots and real chicken without needing a prize because she realized she enjoys it.
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| Posted 7/27/12 10:59 AM |
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
Posted by LINewbie
DS gets oatmeal or cereal for breakfast
and 9 times out of 10 a meat and cheese sandwich for lunch.
It is what I eat, and it is easy to make. He doesn't mind. I see nothing wrong w/it. He also gets fruits, veggies and yogurt every day and other snacks.
Is the ped worried that she hasn't gained any weight in a year?
No she's not worried, but I am starting to. We are doing a bit better now. I cut breakfast down to 1/2 a bagel and some fruit. Before nap she gets a yogurt and 2 graham crackers. Lunch is a grilled cheese and fruit, and then she refuses dinner Before bed she gets some more fruit. She loves helping in the kitchen, I give her choices in what she eats, but I just refuse to give her fries and nuggets everyday even though she asks(she only wants McDonald's) I think part of the problem is that unless it is the above mentioned McDonalds she only wants homemade stuff. Canned soup she refuses, kraft m&c she refuses, bagged nuggest or fish sticks she refuses.....I already cook 3 meals a day from scratch and all our snacks and goodies so I just feel overwhelmed that she won't eat much or refuses dinner. I try to give her dipping options which she loves, but she can't live on Mayo for dinner even if she thinks she's eating an artichoke. My biggest issue is she really only wants fruit. She loves all fruits, but then won't eat. It's not that she doesn't like dinner, because if she tries it she likes it, but it's the getting her to try it that is hard.
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| Posted 7/27/12 11:24 AM |
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CaseyGirl
Mommy to 3 Boys :)
Member since 5/05 19978 total posts
Name:
Jen - counting my blessings...
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
My son has been like this since he started eating solid foods. I feel like I give him the same stuff over and over but that's what he asks for! And of course I give him a daily chewable vitamin. He isn't too big on veggies but he does like the Pirates Booty Veggie Puffs lol 
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| Posted 7/27/12 11:26 AM |
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
Download a pic of McDonald's and stick it on a Chinese food box willed with fish sticks or homemade nuggets and see if she'll eat it
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| Posted 7/27/12 3:52 PM |
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
Posted by FreeButterfly
Download a pic of McDonald's and stick it on a Chinese food box willed with fish sticks or homemade nuggets and see if she'll eat it
 BEST.IDEA.EVER
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| Posted 7/27/12 4:02 PM |
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jtotheo
LIF Adult
Member since 11/08 1070 total posts
Name:
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Re: I'm in toddler lunch hell
Posted by lynnd126
I let ds have lunch and dinner foods for breakfast because he'll;
-always eat in the morning and
-he'll always eat breakfast foods
So I feel like breakfast foods in the morning are a waste of my ammo.
I was going to say something similar. Maybe try swtiching it up. IF she eats breakfast, maybe try those breakfast foods for dinner. See what happens. Also, have you tried bento boxes or making the food "fun"? Sometimes I will cut stars out of cheese, or cut sandwiches with a cookie cutter. it really doesnt take much time and my DD loves it. If your DD can help do it, maybe even better. I sometimes give my DD food in that Dr. Sears nibble tray and she loves it.
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| Posted 7/27/12 9:07 PM |
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