How to Feed a Child That Doesn't Eat Meat

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By dweaver
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Feed a Child That Doesn't Eat Meat

Personally I am a huge meat eater. If it can be cooked, fried, roasted, or grilled, I'll eat. Recently I have discovered that my youngest daughter, who is only four years old, prefers not to eat most meats. What follows is what I am learning in coping with this new development. This may not last forever, but until it ends I have to make sure she stays healthy.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Patience
An Open Mind
Flexibility
A Good Family Physician

Step 1

Be patient. The sudden change in your childs diet could be related to stress in their environment. It will be frustrating, scary, and down-right painful at times. Believe me that it will get worse before it gets better. But it does get better. Patience is a virtue, after all. It pays off in the end.
Step 2

Be flexible. Do research into what a vegetarian lifestyle is and how to live with it. While most of us may not consider ourselves to be vegetarian we still eat vegetables and greens. Pastas, fruits, and nuts are great ways to add more nutrition to the entire families diet. But just because one child doesn't eat meat like the others, doesn't meant that the entire family has to change. Be ready to reduce the amount of meat served with dinner and increase the servings of veggies.
Continue to encourage your child to eat with the others and to eat what everyone else is eating as well. If their meat stays on the plate, offer them a second helping of the veggies you served with dinner. Above and beyond, though, do not discipline or admonish your child. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING. It's just different and could be a part of their personality for the rest of their life. Allow your child a serving of fruit as a desert.
Step 3

Talk to the family physician. Young children need to get their nutrition as well as a well balanced diet. The doctor can recommend substitutes for the meats that your child is not getting. They can give you ideas of good protein sources as well as set your expectations properly. Additionally, the doctor will help to keep you mindful of your childs allergies. Some young children have minor to severe reactions to citrus fruit, some vegetables, and nuts. Keep this in mind.
Step 4

Be aware of stressful situations around your child. If something has happened recently it can impact your child in ways you couldn't imagine. Every child that can talk will talk about what is bothering them in some way, form, or fashion. Opening up to them will allow them to do the same with you. Talking with them and listening to them will allow them the opportunity to deal with any trauma in their lives. Doing this may be all it takes. It could come down to they just need help with this issue, and start back on the road to being their normal selves.

Comments

mehboob153 said

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on 10/19/2009 Do not worry about the child because in the early age act like that and they do not want to eat many things which they did not like.
I have found the same problem with my cousin . She is fifteen year old but did not like the bread and meat.
Slowly the child will start eating all the foods.
best regards,
Mahboob Ur Rehman