1. Never betray or discuss your own preferences in front of them.
2. Never, EVER, offer a reward of something sweet.
3. Never serve more than they can realistically eat.
4. Offer second helpings of anything desired ONLY after the plate has been cleared (which only works if the first course is a total of 3 to 5 bites)
5. Have a rule that they eat at least one bite of everything on the plate.
6. Be prepared to use force to enforce this rule. Expect to do so once or twice per child.
7.If they eat one bite and want no more, so be it. Be prepared to offer a single bite of unwanted foods twenty days in a row.
8, Totally use the little choo-choo, the little construction workers in the tummy, calling broccoli little trees, and whatever else you can think of.
We did this, and at one point, had to tell them "You can't have any more greenbeans unless you finish your pie." But if you have already let them see that you think beans are yucky, accustomed them to filling up on a favorite food before trying anything else, and taught then that pie and cake is a reward, then, well, you're screwed.
What's the best way to make a 2 year old eat his vegetables?
onetirednurse
2012/07/14 13:21:32
My husband and I are at our wits end here. As my husband says, "I can take down a gang banger single handed... What?? Go chase that stolen car down? No problem.. But my 2 year old son puts me to shame because I can't make him eat his veggies". He is beginning to think all hope is lost. Anyone have any ideas how we can get him to eat some veggies??
He does eat potatoes, and corn on the cob but that it. Every thing else gets thrown on the floor..
He does eat potatoes, and corn on the cob but that it. Every thing else gets thrown on the floor..
Top Opinion
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c.stuartHardwick 2012/07/14 13:39:28
Kids will eat when they're hungry. I never made my kids eat vegetables or anything else that they didn't want. I figured when they were hungry enough they'd eat. Between vitamins and the other things that they will eat they always got enough nutrients and were always healthy. Now that they're adults they eat a wide range of foods some of which I won't even eat. I will say that when they were very little, they seemed to eat better when they could pick something up to eat it. So I never fussed over that either.
Some tastes are acquired as you get older. No need to force them when they're only toddlers, they'll be eating all of these things soon enough.
The hard part might be figuring out what it is he REALLY REALLY wants... weather it's a food, drink, toy, blanket or what ever...
But have dad sit next to him... give them the same things (say veggies and some food he'll eat and likes but not loves (don't want it to be better than the reward in the kids mind)...
Then it's role playing time, Dad is the little kid and doesn't want to get the veggies, make sure the kid is watching... mom points to them... and gets dad takes a bite of the veggies and gets a small reward.... kids wants the reward with no biting of veggies... and will cry... got to let him cry a bit.... Mom points to the veggies, dad takes another bite and gets another reward.... and keep this up...
After a while it's Monkey see, Monkey do... the baby figured out the reward system, when mom points to it, he'll get a reward to eat it.
Might want to start slow, say one bite gets a decent sized reward... once the kid figures the system out, then maybe one bite gets a one bites gets an equal amount of reward... then hopefully if this works... you can then go to 2 or 3 bites gets a reward... and etc...
If he doesn't want to sit at the table, then don't make him. Just he gets no food until he does. (and yeah that sounds bad, but we both know you're a great mom and you won't let him starve or anything too bad to happen). but who ever is more stubborn in this case is the Alpha :P ... so are you the alpha or is he? :P :) And it's alright if he's the alpha (for now) but you'll need to change that before he turns 5 or so :P :)
Put some food at his place (or near the table, that he likes and can see) and when he gets hungry he should want your help to get it... and should be willing to work with you to get it. Keep doing it and he should be able to figure it out ;)
Also let him eat veggies anywhere he wants... like if he seem hungry on the couch or something get him some easy to eat soft veggies that are also easy to clean up if he throws them on the ground.
Was it my stubborn/alpha comments or something else? :P Sorry if you didn't like those comments. Just trying to help... hope you're not upset with me. Good luck. And remember when he does it right give him rewards like attention and toys :P :)
Natural consequences are best, rather than rewards. You throw food or throw a fit? Your meal is finished. The good news is what you already know as a nurse. He won't starve if you delay his meal, and 6 or 8 small meals are better for his tummy than 3 big ones anyway, so stopping the meal won't hurt him. Be prepared for some tantrums at first, but stick to your guns. Consistency is the key.
It's new territory for me, my older son ate all veggies cooked or raw. I always seemed to be out of veggies when I need them for cooking. He even eats red bell peppers raw as if it's an apple.
We are guilty of not being consistent, sometimes we are just too wiped out to push it. We don't want dinner to be stressful, it should be a happy time for the family to relax and enjoy..
I know that it may make dinner a struggle for awhile, but if you set the limits and enforce them--something reasonable, then eventually, he'll get it. He'll know that if he doesn't take one bite or throws the food on the floor, he's done with dinner and gets sent to his room until you're through (or a time-out corner or whatever is reasonable in your house. Best to you and your hubby. You just have a little guy who is testing his limits. If you don't make sure he knows them now, he'll really make you sorry that you didn't do it later. I see my oldest granddaughter doing that to her Mom. She's 14 now, and can still get to her mom and still acts like 2 around her, too.
I feel for you, but I have a feeling Mathew is a smart boy. When he gets that he doesn't have to eat all the green beans--just one bite (or whatever), but he can't throw it on the floor either, things will begin to calm down. Right now, he knows that he's in charge. Two year olds are born dictators. Time for the revolution to begin. Hopefully, it will be a bloodless coup.
As for his brothers, they will try anything. I warn my wife to always move fast when they are hungry and looking for prey.
He will eat anything he sees you eating and enjoying, you just have to stick with it. Present him with a choice, let him decide on his own - and then do not let him get up until he has at least tasted it. It's a slow and frustrating process, but he'll eventually relent.
I found that when I offered him a choice, he was more receptive to trying it. They want to get their little say in somewhere. lol
Have a nice day !
2. Never, EVER, offer a reward of something sweet.
3. Never serve more than they can realistically eat.
4. Offer second helpings of anything desired ONLY after the plate has been cleared (which only works if the first course is a total of 3 to 5 bites)
5. Have a rule that they eat at least one bite of everything on the plate.
6. Be prepared to use force to enforce this rule. Expect to do so once or twice per child.
7.If they eat one bite and want no more, so be it. Be prepared to offer a single bite of unwanted foods twenty days in a row.
8, Totally use the little choo-choo, the little construction workers in the tummy, calling broccoli little trees, and whatever else you can think of.
We did this, and at one point, had to tell them "You can't have any more greenbeans unless you finish your pie." But if you have already let them see that you think beans are yucky, accustomed them to filling up on a favorite food before trying anything else, and taught then that pie and cake is a reward, then, well, you're screwed.