More food ideas for a toddler???
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Here is a list of things he eats. He won't eat cereal in milk or pasta of any sort. He acts like it's torture to even have it in front of him. (Ame, was your son like this? I worry about him having sensory issues.)
1. Yogurt with Iron
2. Cheddar cheese sticks. He sometimes eats the twist kind. He will bite and chew if he's walking around the house with it, but if he's sitting he stuffs the whole thing in and then spits it out in one big glob. YUCK! 
3. Soy White Cheddar chips
4. Purple Grapes
5. Multigrain bagels
6. Craisins (either regular or cherry flavored)
7. Whole grain Goldfish
8. Kashi cereal that looks like stars (cinnamon or honey)
9. Whole milk (He doesn't like the organic kind...I have no idea why.)
10. Bananas
11. Every once in a while, I let him have the frosted animal cookies.
12. Juicy Juice
13. Apple juice diluted one fourth in sippy
14. Treats- Hi-C fruit chews
15. Apples (He likes to take bites out of mine)
16. Nutrigrain bars (Berry)
17. Dried apricots
Granted, they are all mostly healthy, but do you notice it's all dry stuff except for the yogurt? He won't touch applesauce either. He's very proficient with a spoon. He also like cheese and bread, but not together like in a grilled cheese sandwich.
New ideas along these lines that you think he might eat? I'm bored with these things.
He also has an egg allergy, right? So waffles or french toast is out?
Any kind of soup? Rice or potatoes (baked, mashed or oven fries)? Popcorn? Fruit roll-ups or fruit leather? (Those may be a choking hazard for kids his age.) Tortillas? Will he drink smoothies?
I remember when Seth had some texture issues and it was the most frustrating time I've ever had with meals. I hope things are resolved soon. {{{Heidi}}}
Have you tried any toddler friendly fresh or soft cooked veggies? Cucumbers, tomatoes, soft cooked carrots... How about cantalope or honeydew melon? Judging from my experience with my kids, just because they turn their nose up at certain foods one time doesn't mean they always will. Toddlers are weird that way. LOL! My brain is foggy because it has been awhile, but except for a few things, both kids were eating whatever DH and I ate by that point.
I read somehwere once that it takes 11 to 15 times of introducing a food to a toddler before they actually know if they like it or not.
I did notice that the foods on your list all tend to have a sweet taste as well. Maybe he just has figured out how to avoid foods that aren't sweet.
I'd try mashed potatoes - both white and sweet, fish sticks (not the healthiest but it is a starting point), whole wheat waffles, peas, whole grain or brown rice, shredded cheese, french fries that are baked and not fried, and a Healthy Choice hot dog that is cubed.
I know I will get blasted for saying this, but at this point I would be less worried about the healthy part and more interested in what foods he will and won't eat. Then you can narrow it down to a possible sensory disorder.
At this age, he should pretty much be eating what you are eating only in smaller portions and chopped into pieces he can handle without choking.
Yes, Tink, I forgot to mention his egg allergy and some other foods...
The does eat peas and corn...I just need to feed it to MYSELF for often! LOL I eat a lot of broccoli, salmon, and beans...none of which he likes.
I try something new about twice a week. Today, it was pasta again. Just wanted to see if he would notice.
He also eats graham crackers.
Thanks you guys...keep the ideas comin'! I'm going shopping tomorrow and we are going to change it up! (We hope!)
Heidi,
I'll make some suggestions when I have more time. But yes. He was exactly like this! He had oral motor as well as sensory issues.
I just finished reading "The Out-of Sync Child" This was a great introduction to sensory issues.
Ame
Thanks, Ame.
Dora, it's not that he likes all things sweet because he loves his cheese sticks, etc. It's really that he doesn't even put things in his mouth to try. I've put different things in front of him and he just pushes them away. He wouldn't even know if they're sweet or not, you know?
One of the big things that is being done with food and sensory issues is to have the child look at pictures of the food first. Then to just be in the same room with it. The to have it closer. Then to smell it, to play with it and eventually after many exposures to the food to taste it on their own. It's all about decreasing sensitivity to whatever it is about the food that sets them off.
Most times in sensory disorders, there is little rhyme or reason to what they will or won't eat. And some days, they will be on, and eat everything and not have any issues, and some days they will be off and not like at all what they loved yesterday. It's very frustrating.
Here are some things you might try.
2% milk string cheese?
cantalope, strawberries?
Smoked turkey hot dog, cut into strips for easy biting?
Diced chicken or ham?
Whole grain waffles or pancakes? Eggo Nutrigrain are great.
Small link breakfast sausage cut into strips? At one point, this was the only meat my son would eat.
Plain pasta or cheese or meat tortellini? Some kids won't eat the sauce on the pasta, but will eat it plain or with a little grated cheese.
Pastina (little stars) with butter?
Pudding? (Randy was not a fan)
Jello? (Randy hated this)
Oatmeal (Randy lived on this for his first 2 1/2 years)
Carrots, green beans, peas. Randy will only eat them if they have been steamed to just about tender (still a bit of a crunch) and then put in the freezer for a few minutes to cool. He likes them cooked but cold. He loves them raw.
Pretzels?
Meatloaf (beef or turkey) cut into strips and ketchup for dipping?
Ketchup is big in our house. If Randy can have ketchup, he'll eat most meats. It still takes him forever to chew it, though, because he's trying to get it down to practically nothing before he swallows it.
Just keep trying and don't get angry or berate yourself or him. It's not worth turing food into a battle ground - although it is so hard not to do.
Remember - as a mom, it's your job to provide him with plenty of healthy eating opportunities. It's his job to eat.
One thing that helped with Randy is that when I wanted him to taste a new food, I let him just smell it first. Then, if he wanted to, I let him just stick out his tongue and touch the tip of it to the food. Eventually (after many exposures) this turned into one bite. At all times, I respected his right to back off. Because I gave him this supportive environment. he's tried lots of things. Liked some and not others, but is finally willing to try.
Keep up the good work.
If you have any questions, or want to chat about it, you can always email me.
Ame
Ame, thanks so much.
I also did more research and they say to give him something crunchy at first to "wake up" his mouth. Then, softer stuff.
I'll also try introducing new foods too...he wouldn't even smell the cut up hot dog or ketchup. I also snuck in a dab of ketchup on his lips...he gave me this "what the?" face!!! I actually started to laugh...and then cry...it's such a long road.
But, you give me hope. :-)
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