My Picky Eater

            Jackson's eating History: Jackson used to be a great eater and very much enjoyed eating lots of veggies and fruits. Specifically great beans, peas, bananas, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, eggs etc. Then at around 2.5 he suddenly stopped eating all of these things plus a few other healthy foods that he used to devour with no problems!

          The only things he seems to be willing to eat are peanut butter and jelly, fruit cups, apple sauce, yogurt, raisins, bananas and strawberries, basically just fruit items. The only veggies I am able to get into him are in the form of little pouches that are basically like little mixed veggie smoothies.

          I got onto Google and Pinterest and began doing some research. I've managed to compile a good amount of information and several fun ideas that I plan to implement. I'm planning on revisiting this topic often on the blog so everyone can view any positive progress or to let you guys know what ideas just didn't work out for us. 

          If you are in the same boat I'm in with this situation I hope you follow along and I hope this information can be helpful. Please give me any feedback, pointers or tricks that have worked for you :-) So here's my game plan:

Serve all meals at one designated area

For us that is the kitchen table

Offer a variety of different options

Even if he doesn't eat them or seems not to be interested, continue offering. From what I've read it can take 10-15 times of seeing and or tasting a food before a toddler acquires a desire or taste for any specific food

Don't offer the same things during every meal

Mix it up throughout the day :-)

Spread Meals apart throughout the day

About 2.5-3 hours offering only water in between. This includes snacks. And only offer other fluids midway through the meal so they fill up on food instead of liquids.

Serve at least one food they prefer at each meal

This is to ease them into the idea of trying new the new foods on his plate. That way they aren't overwhelmed by things they don't recognized.

Don't offer desserts or sweets every time

This is just to teach kids to enjoy eating rather than just assuming they get a treat every time they do.

Prepare foods different ways

This is to help determine any texture aversions they may have and to let them explore how fun it can be to eat different versions of foods. Think Smoothies, raw veggies mixed foods etc

Make meal time a joyful and positive experience

Getting them excited about meal time and sitting down together at the designated area seem to be what are the suggested methods

Don't give in

If they don't eat what they are offered try not to just go back and cook their go to meals. If they are offered a good variety at meal time they will get hungry and eat what is in front of them. (This is also why we try to serve at least one thing we know they will eat)

Have your toddler help you cook

I LOVE this idea. Jackson LOVES helping me make his meals and I notice he definitely gets more excited about eating when he is more involved.

            I am by NO means a professional. This is just a game plan I put together for myself based on things I've read online, in books (yes I go to Target and look up information in their books) and my Parents magazines. Please do what works best for you. I'm a firm believer in the fact that parents know what will work best for their own kids.

            Please keep checking back as I continue to update how things are working out. Hopefully I'll start seeing my good eater again in a few weeks.