Picky Eaters

[cschin4]

My middle child is a very "picky" eater. He will literally gag/throwup if I force him to eat something he doesn't like. I have tried giving him other choices, etc. But, I am not interested in cooking and preparing multiple meals. Now, I just say "this is what's for supper, take it or leave it". And, if he doesn't like it, then he is free to go make himself a peanut butter sandwich. He is 8 years old. And, occassionally he does try whatever it is I made. But, how have the rest of you dealt with picky eaters?

[Ima saver]

I was a picky eater and would eat very little my mother fixed. She use to force me and I would throw it up. Finally she gave up and let me eat what I wanted.
To this day, I am still a picky eater. I dislike all fruit, vegetables, salads, seafood and many other things.
By the way, I am over 60 and have never been sick or been to the doctor's in my life!! Just let him eat his peanut butter. I did get a little better with age, but not much!

[Kris10Leigh]

Huh! Interesting to read about the point of view of an adult picky eater. It's something so many of us worry about!

My kids (ages 4 and 6) have never been picky eaters, but my six year old is starting to state his opinion more and more. He recently decided he doesn't like milk, which is fine, but since all we drink around here is water or milk, he's left with water!

I have always, from day one, required that my children eat what I serve or go hungry. I figure they'll eat if they're hungry. But my children are younger and used to that. I have never forced them to eat anything, though I do ask that they try things. I tell them it takes 20 times of eating something before you like it. My six year old will say "Maybe this will be the 21st time." So they understand that your tastes change. You say that you do not make mulitiple meals, and I think that is a good thing.

Does your 8 year old help you cook? Sometimes if they help with the process, they enjoy eating their creation. They see exactly what went into the dish and may make it more appealing. That's how my four year old decided salad was ok.

[cschin4]

I don't force him to eat things. I only did that once. I made him eat a canned peach (in heavy syrup). It was like watching "Fear Factor" when he finally gagged it down. I really don't want to do battle at the dinner table. And, he is starting to help me cook some. I just figure he will outgrow it over or time, or maybe not. But, anyway, he is healthy and I try not to get overly concerned. But, just was wondering if you all had any other suggestions.

[Ima saver]

My mother tried the , if you don't eat it , you will go hungry. She took me to the doctor and they doctor told her she was starving me. I got the same food served to me at the next meal or the "you will sit there til you eat it" I could not eat the food! I did not like my food to touch either. I ate one thing at a time.
Now my food can touch and I take bites of everything, but my food items are very limited. I wish I was not this way, but I never could make myself change. My dh is very used to it, but sometimes at dinner parties, people are a little upset cause I won't eat hardly anything. Your son will be just fine, let him have what he wants!! Most kids grow out of it, I did not!

[DayByDay]

You could try disguising food. I read about one mother who, trying to get her kid to eat vegetables, added some finely grated or pureed vegetables to meatloaf or something like that, and her child never knew and ate it up.

[kealina]

my FIL was a picky child and is still picky, although according to everybody he is better than he used to be.... funny enough he liked peanut butter sandwiches too... if it makes you feel better his healthy isn't bad either...
for your son, as he grows up i would encourage him to learn to make his own food but also to try things at least once and maybe try it again a few years later because taste does change... also, just remember that kids learn what they see... if he sees you trying foods he might slowly become a little more open...

[Kirbycruiser]

I require my son to try it, at least a couple bites before he decides he doesn't like something. So far he doesn't like spinach. But then again he is a walking food disposall.

[PrincessPerky]

canned peaches in heavy syrup would make me gag..and I like peaches..

anyway, I do insist that my kid try things...a small bite..trying a grape means one little grape..or half for a smaller kid..nto a whole bunch

I also find that reading stories about foods is helpful...lois elert has some sort of vegetable ABC that my kids loved...though at 8 he is a bit old...I know of several grils books where they talk about cooking..but not of any boys..course I am a girl...and my kdis are too young..

but reading about goldilocks they want porrige (I told em it was like oatmeal) Reading can also work in reverse..they do not want 'turkish delight' after reading the lion the witch and teh wardrobe! (which is fine as I have never had any!)

Your attitude will prolly make the most difference in life..praise adventrus eating, seek it out..and ignore picky eaters..other than if you find a kid that doesn't like peanut butter..then mention how odd it is and wonder (privatly with your kid) oif they ever gave it a chance.

I also9 like to remind my kids of how long it took for them to like yogurt..their favorite food