He won't eat ANTYHING - I need some ideas

Farelle wrote: My little guy is 16 months old and he's never been a great eater. By that I mean he never liked veggies, but always did good with fruit and certain other foods like, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, etc. But lately he won't eat ANYTHING....and I do mean nothing. He won't eat chicken, pasta, fruits that he used to eat, the pancakes he used to love, he was even spitting the bluberries out tonight which he usually loves too. I am very frustrated bc no matter what I try he looks at me like I am trying to poison him...(like the ice cream I gave him tonight....it was blueberry flavor not POISON!!)
Anyway....any ideas for my pickey eater? He's obviously not under nourished bc he is 24 lbs but I just can't get him to eat foods that are good for him. All he'll eat is mac & cheese and grilled cheese and goldfish crackers!! ugh...........

PrairieMom replied: Everything tastes better when it is cut into shapes with cookie cutters.

Celestrina replied: Don't worry, he'll eat when he's hungry. All kids, especially that age, will go through this. First they'll eat like pigs, then absolutely nothing. As long as he is hydrated, he'll be fine.

A&A'smommy replied:
ITA

kellibellisdillybear replied: Has anything else changed? Not long ago, my son started acting a little off, and refused to eat also, just like yours, even his absolute favorites. Not until he refused to drink did I get really nervous. We went to the doctor, and he had a double ear infection and a stomach virus. Some babies just don't behave really sick, and they are! Could also be teething?

As long as baby is still drinking enough, doctors won't even mind the hunger strike. Maybe try making milk shakes with Ovaltine for vitamins, or those yogurt drinks, etc. And they're right. Chances are the strike will be over soon!

luvmykids replied: Ditto to the above, if his only options are foods other than what you mentioned, eventually he'll eat.

Farelle replied: Thanks. He does eat, I guess I should have phrased that a little different, it's just that he only eats like 2-3 things, mac & cheese, grilled cheese, and....? chips? Ugh! He won't eat a veggie except for the occasional baby butternut squash and today I discovered the LOVES these Gerber cheese puffs.....but if I try to give him meat, BLAH...potatoes BLAH....Veggies BLAH.....even ice cream, BLAH... (what's with that EVERYONE loves ice cream!!)
I guess I'm just looking for some menu ideas.......?? or other foods to try?? There's got to be something that he'll like!!................?

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I agree. Also, make sure you are not giving him treats or foods that are not good for him if he refuses to eat a meal. Meaning, do not make him another meal or give him a treat if he doesn't eat. That will only teach him to be more picky. Also, minimize snacking.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
My Tanner doesn't like ice cream either. I know...strange. Hubby doesn't like it either.

You can try to use spices on the foods...garlic, pepper, dill, a bit of salt, etc. Maybe offer something for him to dip stuff in, like ketchup or ranch dressing. Is it a sensory thing. Does he not like the "feel" of certain foods?

PrairieMom replied: I still say cookie cutters. I let Ben pick out the one he wants to use. I would use large ones to cut out sandwich shapes, or smaller ones to cut shapes out of deli meat or sliced cheese. One of his favorite meals is meat and cheese stars with club crackers and milk.

Kentuckychick replied:

Exactly!
I think it's hard for us as adults to imagine, but sometimes children just aren't hungry. You'd be surprised just how little a child who isn't going through a major growing point needs to eat and actually forcing them to eat when they aren't hungry can create bad habits.
We've studied this a lot in our development classes and the suggestions they make to us as professionals are to have snacks available throughout the day when a child or certain children don't seem to be into meals.

Around 15 months and up is one of the main points when growth slows down as well and a child that age really only needs about one good meal/day. I would just try to provide all the food groups throughout the day in some manner and not worry when he doesn't eat well unless you're concerned he's ill. You'll know when he's growing again because he'll eat more.

Kids are smart creatures, they won't starve themselves

moped replied: Jack is a very picky eater and would go a long time with no food because I am not about to cater to his every wim..........so he got what I gave him and either ate it or didn't - doesn't matter to me!

He will start eating better - Jack was terrible at that age, he isn't great now, but better

HuskerMom replied:
I'll have to remember that. That's a neat idea.

Farelle replied: Thanks! I do like the cookie cutter idea and we have TONS of them. I'll have to try that with my older boy, he'll love it!

I think it is a bit of the texture thing. Now that I think about it he will usually let me put something in his mouth to try, but then he'll just spit it out. I'll have to try the dipping too, although he is the world's MESSIEST eater and will prob just use the dip dip to create art