Eat it or starve? WWYD?

[cheltzey]

I won't battle on food. Too many other important things to take a stand on. LOL If I know that Logan doesn't like something, I'll make extra side dishes to go with it. Like he is not a huge fan of pot roast, so I'll do lots of carrots and potatoes and rolls. If all he eats is the veggies and bread, then I'm fine with that... but he gets a bit of everything on his plate. He is growing just fine and has actually started liking some things that were once hated.

Exactly what I do. But I'm a softie and left them have dessert anyway if everyone else is having some. I don't want them to connect eating a ton with getting a reward of more food.

I've found that timing snacks so that they're not too soon and not too much really helps things. And my kids are great eaters!

[lizzyfizzy]

Originally Posted by cheltzey

I don't want them to connect eating a ton with getting a reward of more food.

really great point! i really want to give my kiddos good eating habits too. i try to time their snacks out according to meals as often as possible and i always give them an amount i know they can finish easily without having to say, "mom...i'm full"! i think often parents give the kids too much to eat and it looks soooo overwhelming. also letting the kids plate up their own food in a fun and differnet way can help. ie. let them put their side dishes in little random bowls, i am a firm believer that if the child thinks it was his/her idea they are almost always open to it!

[Stacey42]

It's eat or starve here and you have to take a bite of everything on your plate (even if we all know you hate peas. research has proved that if you eat a food often enough, even a small amount, you get over hating it).

However, I do plan my meals with their likes & dislikes in mind. The boys are not wild about grilled steak, so if we have that one night, the next night I'll make spinach & tomato pizza, which they love. I also try to have at least one thing on the plate everynight that will eat, even if it's just a side of rice or pasta.

DH insists on them taking the one bite of everything before they leave the table. He'll sit there reading a book until bedtime waiting for them to eat that bite. No talking allowed. Fortunately those occasions are few and far between & usually revolve around new foods like braised endive.