I think as long as your keep a variety of nutritious foods that he likes around the house & his pediatrician isn't concerned about his weight, he should be fine. When kids are hungry, they will eat. They will not starve thierselve. As long as you don't offer junk food, which they will get used to once they do gain an appetite. Just be glad he's not a teenager eating everything in site...yet!
PS. Have you tried raw veggies & fruits? Some kids actually perfer raw veggies over cooked. Especially with a low fat dipping sauce or hummus.
MERT122 12/30/06 12:21 P
I am sort of having this problem too - my 5 year old just won't sit at the table and eat dinner, no matter what I fix even if it is something he requested. What I just started to realize is that it's not the actual food that is the problem but the timing of it. He only eats when he is really hungry and if he is not starving then he doesn't bother (I should probably learn from him LOL)
So I'm trying something differently to see if I can get some decent food in him - if he's hungry at 5:00 and we aren't eating until 6:00 then I'll make him an early dinner from what I've got (heat up the vegetables in the microwave, make a tossed salad, cheese, etc) and so far it has been working. Hopefully we won't be doing this forever but at least for now he's eating something other than the junk food that he wants when his hunger hits.
CUDA440 12/13/06 12:55 P
Oh, PLEASE Don't tell me it gets WORSE! Recently I did try the 3 OZ Danibles yogurt drinks, I put them on a shelf in the frig that he can easily seen when he opens it. So he can reach for what he wants. He seems to like those. I also have a shelf in the pantry that I put some good snack foods for him, and he can pick himself. Right now it's Vanilla wafers, wheat thins, Danibles yogurt. He did ask for a banana that was on the counter. Another one that he likes is a flour tortilla, spread Peanut Butter on it, sprinkle raisins (small chunks of apple if they will eat it) roll up. Have you tried making the plate look like a face? I saw this in a magazine artile that did brocolli for hair, olives for eyes, red pepper slice for smilely mouth. May even had cut cherry tomato's for cheeks. I have a cook book that shows Spider crackers. Ritz crackers, spread Peanut Butter between 2, then put in Hard chow mein noodles for legs, and use a little Peanut Butter and put raisins for eyes. He liked this too. They also make hot dog race cars, Lady bug crackers (with cherry tomatos) The book is Called "Country Living, Quick meal cookbook.
Beckie
BAYOUBABY 12/13/06 12:03 P
I have a 6year old that will hardly eat anything. Al I can get him to eat without a fight is chicken and cereal. He used to like chees but last week decided that that was no good either...and he won't eat it. I could use some suggestions....i have tried having him help me make things and going shopping and trying to pick out certain foods. I was hoping that this stage would pass but it just seems to be getting worse...Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
