My 3 year old will not eat meat?!
I keep trying to give my 3 year old different meat- mostly chicken breast, but I have tried steak, pork(which I don't care that he hates since it has no nutritional value)!. He will not eat any meat! He once told me that he didn't want to eat animals but I am not sure if he heard someone say that- he is a very young 3 and I can not imagine he fully understands the food chain!. He loves certain veggies (only brocolli, green beans and carrots) and is pasta crazy!. He also has an egg and peanut allergy, so chicken batters or oven frys are out of the question to try to temp him with!. I have also enforced a rule that he needs to at least take one bite and try it before he says he doesn't like it but sometimes I feel bad because he will take a bite, not like it, gag and throw up!. Is this "picky-ness" a typical 3 year old phase!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
Don't worry about it too much!. He does not want to eat animals, fine then don't feed him any!. Either he will eventually change his mind or he won't!. Either way, it's not really a big deal!. You can get him to eat other things which are as nutritious as meat anyway, Just make sure he gets balanced nutritious meals!. If you want a professional opinion on how to do that, ask his doc for a meal plan or to recommend a good pedia nutritionist
If you are worried about someone giving him info you are not comfortable with, ask him but that's another issue altogether!.
and try asking this same question in the "parenting" section too!. Since this is the V&V section, opinions here tend to be one sided!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
If you are worried about someone giving him info you are not comfortable with, ask him but that's another issue altogether!.
and try asking this same question in the "parenting" section too!. Since this is the V&V section, opinions here tend to be one sided!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
You should never force your child to eat meat!. Sometimes just the thought of other people eating it makes me sick!.!.!.If you would like to help him in his interested of becoming a vegetarian, you should look up the nutritional information of meat compared to the substitutes!. The vegetarian hotdogs are my favorite, and they taste just like normal hotdogs! Phase or not, you should let him work it out on his own, with you coaching silently!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
Picky eating is totally normal at that age!. Maybe you could try some of the soy protein crumbles!. I eat it with everything and it is like ground beef!. Maybe some canned chicken!? It has a tuna like texture and you can mix it in with some pasta and sauce!. Watch out for some of the vegetarian burgers and such because a lot of them have eggs in them!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
"he is a very young 3 and I can not imagine he fully understands the food chain!."
Clearly you do not know what you are talking about!. There is no such thing as the food chain, it is a food web!. I'm guessing you're one of those people who think that might makes right!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Clearly you do not know what you are talking about!. There is no such thing as the food chain, it is a food web!. I'm guessing you're one of those people who think that might makes right!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I know that it concerns you, but don't worry mom most children at that age go through phases of eating only certain things!. If he likes beans of any kind let him eat them!. Try tuna casserole or creamed tuna!. He will survive, they always do!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Kids are picky - if you really want him to eat the chicken/beef you put in front of him, my two dinner time tricks are 1!. Smother it in cheese and 2!. Provide a dip (ketchup and light ranch dressing are my kids favorites!.
Of course option 3 is always a multivitamin :)
good luck!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Of course option 3 is always a multivitamin :)
good luck!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Unless he is very smart, I don't think at three years old he understands the whole eating animals thing!. He probably just doesn't like the taste of meat, I never did and that is one of the main reasons I stoped eating it at 12 years old!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
If he doesn't want to eat meat, its better not to force him!. Let him choose what he likes to eat, and if your worried he won't get the right nutrients he needs from meat, get him to eat beans!.
Hope this helped! =)Www@FoodAQ@Com
Hope this helped! =)Www@FoodAQ@Com
he doesn't need meat!. Find other sources of protein such as beans or pulses!. Cheese and other dairy products will provide him with protein also!. You can consider tofu aswell!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Give in , if he doesn't like it he doesn't like it!.
Every one has different taste buds!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Every one has different taste buds!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
he is smart and lucky!.!.!. he realize it now and don't push it!.!.!.!.just give him what she wants and he will get all nutrition and dont worry about itWww@FoodAQ@Com
You seem to have a smart 3 year old!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
it is normal, my kids all went through weird food phases when they were that age, just make sure he eats plenty of beans and whole grains to get enough protein!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
that was like me when i was young!. i thought it tasted so gross but one day my parents dabbed some hot sauce on it and i loved it ever since!. i still use hot sauce till this day to eat anything with meat!.
maybe your kid is just opposed to meat also!. if you tell him that its not real meat then maybe he will eat it
he is the image of my childhood!. loved pasta, hated meat, had to try to eat the food i didnt like, parents that try everything they can to help!. =)Www@FoodAQ@Com
maybe your kid is just opposed to meat also!. if you tell him that its not real meat then maybe he will eat it
he is the image of my childhood!. loved pasta, hated meat, had to try to eat the food i didnt like, parents that try everything they can to help!. =)Www@FoodAQ@Com
I know you’re trying to be a good parent ad all, but perhaps you should take a lesson from your 3 year old at this point!. Meat is a superfluous luxury on our plates in this day and age!. With our knowledge of nutrition, our technology and advanced techniques of producing harvestable crops, there is no need in our lives or society to continue eating meat!. Most still eat it simply due to habit, personal preference or archaic beliefs (as the one you mentioned about the food chain) our grandfather’s grandfather’s grandfather taught us when we were a child!.
There are about a thousand arguments for eating meat; unfortunately, it’s really just the same one repeated a thousand different ways!. The arguments against eating meat, however are numerous and all unique!.
If your 3 year old doesn’t have any desire to eat “Big Bird” next time you try to serve him a plate of chicken, perhaps you shouldn’t push the issue!. Developing compassion at that early of an age can only lead to a positive life farther along!. Even if you aren’t Buddhist and know little about Buddhism, you must know something about Karma, right!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
There are about a thousand arguments for eating meat; unfortunately, it’s really just the same one repeated a thousand different ways!. The arguments against eating meat, however are numerous and all unique!.
If your 3 year old doesn’t have any desire to eat “Big Bird” next time you try to serve him a plate of chicken, perhaps you shouldn’t push the issue!. Developing compassion at that early of an age can only lead to a positive life farther along!. Even if you aren’t Buddhist and know little about Buddhism, you must know something about Karma, right!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
you can disquise it! or better yet cut all save the animals cartoons his probably watching and MAKE him watch you cook!. The smells will entice him over!
Don't go for junk food! try caserole and stir fry! and add some garlic in! make the meat the main ingrediant and avoid any vegies!. If you have a beautiful aroma coming out of it then it can tempt anyone!
If that doesn't work then try this
When he sleeps you cook silently and cook up a dish of meat that has real good aromas to it! Whaft the smells towards him and he should wake up(can't explain why)! and then let him eat it(even if he doesn't brush his teeth!.!.!.!.only once)Www@FoodAQ@Com
Don't go for junk food! try caserole and stir fry! and add some garlic in! make the meat the main ingrediant and avoid any vegies!. If you have a beautiful aroma coming out of it then it can tempt anyone!
If that doesn't work then try this
When he sleeps you cook silently and cook up a dish of meat that has real good aromas to it! Whaft the smells towards him and he should wake up(can't explain why)! and then let him eat it(even if he doesn't brush his teeth!.!.!.!.only once)Www@FoodAQ@Com
I think you have a very perceptive and sensitive young man there!. Don't 'force' him to eat meat if he doesn't want to, just make sure that he gets his protein and iron from other sources - mushroom, soya, all manner off pulses and dark green veg!. You are lucky in that he like veggies!. My daughter has been a veggie since she was small and at the age of 27 is extremely healthy!. Just beware that you don't substitute too much carbohydrate in place of the protein!.
also, so what if he did hear someone say that it not good to eat animals - you eat meat probably because you were told from a young age that it was good for you!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
also, so what if he did hear someone say that it not good to eat animals - you eat meat probably because you were told from a young age that it was good for you!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Food "pickyness" is pretty normal, but this isn't just about your son saying he doesn't like the taste!. He is saying he does not want to eat animals!.
My nephew was like this, and it lasted for years!. He only started lightening up about the whole "eating animals" thing when he got into Boy Scouts in the last few years and learned to appreciate the natural world as a cycle, in which some animals do eat others!.
I believe there is a bigger issue here than food preferences!. I don't think that most 3-year-olds come to this anti-meat belief on their own!. Adults teach it to them!. I know that some people who embrace vegetarianism on moral grounds may feel that it is only right and proper to introduce the subject to any child with whom they have contact, but in my opinion, if it is not part of the parent's value system, this is a form of spiritual kidnapping!. It is no different from a daycare worker teaching children of Jewish parents to convert to Christianity, or the children of Christian parents to convert to Buddhism!. It shows a lack of respect for the parent's right and obligation to teach morality as they understand it to their own children!. That lack of respect is unlikely to be limited to a single issue!.
You might want to look into your childcare arrangements, and see if anyone is "feeding" your child unapproved messages!. If so, you'll have to decide how important it is to you to maintain your own authority over his moral upbringing!. If they are teaching things you don't personally believe but don't strongly object to, maybe it's no big deal!. If you are operating at cross-purposes on many issues, however, I would suggest making a change in arrangements, no matter how inconvenient it may be!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
My nephew was like this, and it lasted for years!. He only started lightening up about the whole "eating animals" thing when he got into Boy Scouts in the last few years and learned to appreciate the natural world as a cycle, in which some animals do eat others!.
I believe there is a bigger issue here than food preferences!. I don't think that most 3-year-olds come to this anti-meat belief on their own!. Adults teach it to them!. I know that some people who embrace vegetarianism on moral grounds may feel that it is only right and proper to introduce the subject to any child with whom they have contact, but in my opinion, if it is not part of the parent's value system, this is a form of spiritual kidnapping!. It is no different from a daycare worker teaching children of Jewish parents to convert to Christianity, or the children of Christian parents to convert to Buddhism!. It shows a lack of respect for the parent's right and obligation to teach morality as they understand it to their own children!. That lack of respect is unlikely to be limited to a single issue!.
You might want to look into your childcare arrangements, and see if anyone is "feeding" your child unapproved messages!. If so, you'll have to decide how important it is to you to maintain your own authority over his moral upbringing!. If they are teaching things you don't personally believe but don't strongly object to, maybe it's no big deal!. If you are operating at cross-purposes on many issues, however, I would suggest making a change in arrangements, no matter how inconvenient it may be!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Children are notoriously picky eaters!. They have little control over things in their lives, so they choose to give trouble over the things they do have control over!. Watch out for potty training if that hasn't started :)
If he does not want to eat, I would not force him!. Children often like a food one day and hate it the next!. They go through phases where certain tastes and textures are unappealing!. The last thing you want to do is create a power struggle over food, and make a mountain out of a mole hill!. There are books that will give you info on how to provide adequate nutrition on a vegetarian diet!. This is most likely just a phase, and the less attention you give him, the sooner it will pass!.
If you still want your child to eat meat, than offer it to him, but do not make him eat it!. You can put a small amount on his plate, and if he chooses to eat it, than that is fine!. Make a non-meat option for him to eat, and put that on his plate along with anything else you are serving for the meal!. Sometimes children need to see a food numerous times before they will even touch it!.
Books on vegetarian nutrition/recipes for children:
Raising Vegetarian Children : A Guide to Good Health and Family Harmony
by Joanne Stepaniak and Vesanto Melina
Better Than Peanut Butter & Jelly: Quick Vegetarian Meals Your Kids Will Love!
by Marty Mattare and Wendy Muldawer
Disease-Proof Your Child: Feeding Kids Right
by Joel Fuhrman
Vegan Lunch Box: 130 Amazing, Animal-Free Lunches Kids and Grown-Ups Will Love!
by Jennifer McCann Www@FoodAQ@Com
If he does not want to eat, I would not force him!. Children often like a food one day and hate it the next!. They go through phases where certain tastes and textures are unappealing!. The last thing you want to do is create a power struggle over food, and make a mountain out of a mole hill!. There are books that will give you info on how to provide adequate nutrition on a vegetarian diet!. This is most likely just a phase, and the less attention you give him, the sooner it will pass!.
If you still want your child to eat meat, than offer it to him, but do not make him eat it!. You can put a small amount on his plate, and if he chooses to eat it, than that is fine!. Make a non-meat option for him to eat, and put that on his plate along with anything else you are serving for the meal!. Sometimes children need to see a food numerous times before they will even touch it!.
Books on vegetarian nutrition/recipes for children:
Raising Vegetarian Children : A Guide to Good Health and Family Harmony
by Joanne Stepaniak and Vesanto Melina
Better Than Peanut Butter & Jelly: Quick Vegetarian Meals Your Kids Will Love!
by Marty Mattare and Wendy Muldawer
Disease-Proof Your Child: Feeding Kids Right
by Joel Fuhrman
Vegan Lunch Box: 130 Amazing, Animal-Free Lunches Kids and Grown-Ups Will Love!
by Jennifer McCann Www@FoodAQ@Com
1st I will answer with a joke!. Did you have sex with Paul McCartney!? That could be why!.!.!. OK now seriously!. My daughter is 9 now and she didn't start eating meat, chicken, pork until about 1 year ago for the same reason that your son has said!. I call her my little hippie!. I don't "force" her to eat meat, but we go by the rule, if it is put in front of you, you eat it!. She has told me time and again that she can't wait to go to college just so she doesn't have to eat meat!. PS She also hates that The mom and I use paper towels intsead of a dish towel!. Her exact tearfilled quote was "How can you do this to our environment, killing all those trees, we need trees to give off oxygen so we can breathe"!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I think at that age parents should teach their kids that they respect their opinions!. It seems to me that your son has made up his mind!. If he doesn't feel comfortable eating meat, don't force him to!. Respect his opinion and teach him that his opinion counts!. Many kids eat meat because they really think about where it comes from!. Your son is aware and he chooses not to eat it!. Is it healthy!? No!. Is it unhealthy!? Not necessarily!. Don't force him to eat meat, but you should talk to him about it and see what he thinks!. Remember, meat has many important nutritional benefits!. Vegeterians need to make up for what they are missing in a different way!. If your son still does not want to eat meat, you should try to find foods that will compensate!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
I was exactly the same thing when I was a child and I'm seventeen now and have turned vegan!. I told my mum when I was your child's age that I didn't want to eat animals, and she would lie to me (not encouraging you to lie either) about where meat came from!. She told me it was something the butchers made and that it didn't come from an animal!. I would believe this, however I still did not like the taste of meat!.
When I was 5 I really didn't like the thought of eating fish!. So I refused to eat it!. When I was born I was also lactose intolerant and would only drink soy milk!. I couldn't even drink my mum's breast milk, and this really made her upset!.
I have no idea if this is helping at all, but I'm just telling you what I was like!. I suggest to you, just feed him what he likes and make it healthy and with lots of nutrition!. Maybe it is a phase, you can never be too sure, but for some kids it isn't!.
Your child sounds just like me when I was little, so no, I don't think it is a phase!. I could be wrong though!.
I hope I've been of some help!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
When I was 5 I really didn't like the thought of eating fish!. So I refused to eat it!. When I was born I was also lactose intolerant and would only drink soy milk!. I couldn't even drink my mum's breast milk, and this really made her upset!.
I have no idea if this is helping at all, but I'm just telling you what I was like!. I suggest to you, just feed him what he likes and make it healthy and with lots of nutrition!. Maybe it is a phase, you can never be too sure, but for some kids it isn't!.
Your child sounds just like me when I was little, so no, I don't think it is a phase!. I could be wrong though!.
I hope I've been of some help!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
I have a 3 year old with the same eating habits!. He will not touch meat, I try to compensate by offering him more peanut butter and other nuts that he'll eat!. I have found that he will eat in small portions beef jerky and he tolerates crispy bacon!. So maybe those would work with him!. I also do the "take one bite" rule with the same gagging results!.
I'm trying everything I can to get him to eat meats though and not sure if I have a "right" answer!. Mainly wanted to suggest what has worked with my son!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
I'm trying everything I can to get him to eat meats though and not sure if I have a "right" answer!. Mainly wanted to suggest what has worked with my son!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
This is very common!. The best solution is fully balanced supplements in proper potency for the person!. They will get the essential nutrition they need and then eat what they want when they want to!. The allergies are best respected!. The one bite rule is not always best!. He is likely allergic to sallicylates which are found in all spices and most fruits and vegetables!. Pasta is probably one of his safest foods, and it is great that he likes broccoli!. Go with whatever he likes!. Try lettuce and celery, too!.
We have had good results with our kids with some good supplements!. email me if you want info!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
We have had good results with our kids with some good supplements!. email me if you want info!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I wouldn't force him to eat it, especially since he has refused repeatedly for a while, so it's not like a "brand new food" reaction that most kids have!.
I was like that when I was young too, I never did like the thought of eating animals or the taste of meat very much, and ended up becoming vegan later on!. Everyone is different, and he's made it clear that he knows what he wants to eat and what he doesn't!. So I'd just quit trying to push him into eating meat and look into formulating a healthy vegetarian diet for him!.
Good luck!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I was like that when I was young too, I never did like the thought of eating animals or the taste of meat very much, and ended up becoming vegan later on!. Everyone is different, and he's made it clear that he knows what he wants to eat and what he doesn't!. So I'd just quit trying to push him into eating meat and look into formulating a healthy vegetarian diet for him!.
Good luck!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I'm not sure what your cooking but, maybe try roasting a chicken and giving him the dark meat to try or slow cooking a cut of beef or pork in a sauce (like beef stew or slow cooked pork BBQ) or order a roast duck from a good local chinese place!. I find my little guys (ages 2 and 3 1/2) will eat meat if it's moist rather than dry!. Otherwise, maybe look into learning to cook some soy products like tempeh or tofu to try out with him!. My kids love the Morningstar soy sausage, you can also try their hotdogs or real beef/pork hotdogs as well, most kids like them a lot!. Good luck!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Force him to eat the meat!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.or make a sick joke that will make him eat meat!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Tell him that for every animal that he doesn't eat, you'll eat three!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Convince him that meat grows on treesWww@FoodAQ@Com