Picky kids coming to visit - now I've seen it all

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You want the real answer? It’s because American parents coddle their children from birth and let them get away with this ridiculous behavior on the basis that they are “picky” eaters. And unfortunately those children grow into adults with extremely limited palates. That’s one of the main reasons the dining options is this country are so atrocious, generally speaking, and you have to go to a fine dining restauarant for a decent meal.

What a giant pile of drivel this is.

It's actually very truthful.

It's also obviously said by someone who has never lived in Europe, at least never lived in Europe with children.

Oh, god, I could tell you all the stories of fussy children in Europe. Go to places like Germany and France. The kids are all eating plain meats with pasta, couscous, fries, nothing with spices and not even much vegetables either. White and bland. That's the standard diet across the board.

You exaggerate. And besides, everything you listed is infinitely superior to what picky American kids eat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what do you guys suggest doing to prevent picky eaters?

My son is 1.5 and very picky already. I do tough love and just feed him whatever it is available. Many times he throws it or won’t touxh it. He’ll go to bed without any dinner. I’m not doing separate meals for a child unless it’s truly something that isn’t kid appropriate (sushi, sweetgreen etc).

Why is sushi and Sweetgreen not kid appropriate? That’s your problem right there. A 1.5 yo can easily eat all parts of sushi... the fish, rice, edamame, cucumver, avocado. We never ever forced our kids to eat anything and never would dream of sending them to bed without dinner. We always had a varied spread and they always found something to eat. This is the norm in most countries.

You are saying I should feed my 1.5 year old a sweetgreen salad for dinner? First off, that’s a huge waste of money because the salads are large. I really don’t think a salad entree is an appropriate meal.

In regards to sushi, I haven’t given it to my son because I figured he couldn’t eat it without most of the ingredients falling out. Especially the rolls with fish on top.

You don’t understand because you don’t have a child who will refuse to eat certain foods. We had gnocchi with meat sauce tonight as a family. Gave my son the gnocchi of course and he refused to eat a single bite. Went to bed without dinner.

Why is this so hard? Get yourself a Sweetgreen salad, with a couple of ingredients he might like. Remove the lid, serve him out of your bowl. Put his servings on the lid. Voila. That is how my kids learned to eat everything we eat. There is never a need to force a kid to eat something or to send them to bed hungry.

Let’s forget the sweetgreen salad. First off, I’d need to order him his own because I want my own. They don’t even have many calories.

Tonight we had gnocchi. He refused to eat it. Didn’t eat a single bite. Touched it and that was it. What should I have done?

This past weekend when we ordered pizza the same thing happened. I tried just giving him the pepperonis and he refused those too. Same with mozzarella sticks.

I don’t think you’ve ever had a child who refuses to eat or is picky. Your description of how to feed the sweetgreen salad is laughable. I’m doing well if my child eats BREAD. He’s not going to eat chopped up bits of arugula and tofu. The child won’t even eat tacos or pizza.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what do you guys suggest doing to prevent picky eaters?

My son is 1.5 and very picky already. I do tough love and just feed him whatever it is available. Many times he throws it or won’t touxh it. He’ll go to bed without any dinner. I’m not doing separate meals for a child unless it’s truly something that isn’t kid appropriate (sushi, sweetgreen etc).

Why is sushi and Sweetgreen not kid appropriate? That’s your problem right there. A 1.5 yo can easily eat all parts of sushi... the fish, rice, edamame, cucumver, avocado. We never ever forced our kids to eat anything and never would dream of sending them to bed without dinner. We always had a varied spread and they always found something to eat. This is the norm in most countries.

You are saying I should feed my 1.5 year old a sweetgreen salad for dinner? First off, that’s a huge waste of money because the salads are large. I really don’t think a salad entree is an appropriate meal.

In regards to sushi, I haven’t given it to my son because I figured he couldn’t eat it without most of the ingredients falling out. Especially the rolls with fish on top.

You don’t understand because you don’t have a child who will refuse to eat certain foods. We had gnocchi with meat sauce tonight as a family. Gave my son the gnocchi of course and he refused to eat a single bite. Went to bed without dinner.

Why is this so hard? Get yourself a Sweetgreen salad, with a couple of ingredients he might like. Remove the lid, serve him out of your bowl. Put his servings on the lid. Voila. That is how my kids learned to eat everything we eat. There is never a need to force a kid to eat something or to send them to bed hungry.

Some of us do get it and this is the correct answer. You are imposing your judgements on your child of what is appropriate for a meal. A 1.5 year old may not eat a meal. You offer plain gnocchi with some veggies or fruit. You don't punish the kid with no food if he refuses to eat. That is abusive and neglectful. My kid loves fresh veggies but not in a salad form. I did what this poster said. Instead of sushi, you order a bowl of plain white rice. Simple. It doesn't that to be all or nothing as a real picky kid will choose nothing and may starve or start eating issues. My kid at 1.5 wouldn't eat anything and was still on formula. You don't know what picky is if its just about certain foods you decide to have a power struggle with. Many little ones don't like sauce and just want it plain or with butter.

For sushi, you open it up and give the cucumber and rice, for example. No, they will not eat it whole (or just use common sense and order a side of rice).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what do you guys suggest doing to prevent picky eaters?

My son is 1.5 and very picky already. I do tough love and just feed him whatever it is available. Many times he throws it or won’t touxh it. He’ll go to bed without any dinner. I’m not doing separate meals for a child unless it’s truly something that isn’t kid appropriate (sushi, sweetgreen etc).

Why is sushi and Sweetgreen not kid appropriate? That’s your problem right there. A 1.5 yo can easily eat all parts of sushi... the fish, rice, edamame, cucumver, avocado. We never ever forced our kids to eat anything and never would dream of sending them to bed without dinner. We always had a varied spread and they always found something to eat. This is the norm in most countries.

You are saying I should feed my 1.5 year old a sweetgreen salad for dinner? First off, that’s a huge waste of money because the salads are large. I really don’t think a salad entree is an appropriate meal.

In regards to sushi, I haven’t given it to my son because I figured he couldn’t eat it without most of the ingredients falling out. Especially the rolls with fish on top.

You don’t understand because you don’t have a child who will refuse to eat certain foods. We had gnocchi with meat sauce tonight as a family. Gave my son the gnocchi of course and he refused to eat a single bite. Went to bed without dinner.

Why is this so hard? Get yourself a Sweetgreen salad, with a couple of ingredients he might like. Remove the lid, serve him out of your bowl. Put his servings on the lid. Voila. That is how my kids learned to eat everything we eat. There is never a need to force a kid to eat something or to send them to bed hungry.

To explain better, my child only has 4-5 foods he likes. He eats french fries, fried fish, cookies and bananas. Sometimes cheese but not always. A sweetgreen salad doesn’t have enough fish and cheese to make it worthwhile to spend $12 on one to try and get him to eat fish and cheese out of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what do you guys suggest doing to prevent picky eaters?

My son is 1.5 and very picky already. I do tough love and just feed him whatever it is available. Many times he throws it or won’t touxh it. He’ll go to bed without any dinner. I’m not doing separate meals for a child unless it’s truly something that isn’t kid appropriate (sushi, sweetgreen etc).

Why is sushi and Sweetgreen not kid appropriate? That’s your problem right there. A 1.5 yo can easily eat all parts of sushi... the fish, rice, edamame, cucumver, avocado. We never ever forced our kids to eat anything and never would dream of sending them to bed without dinner. We always had a varied spread and they always found something to eat. This is the norm in most countries.

You are saying I should feed my 1.5 year old a sweetgreen salad for dinner? First off, that’s a huge waste of money because the salads are large. I really don’t think a salad entree is an appropriate meal.

In regards to sushi, I haven’t given it to my son because I figured he couldn’t eat it without most of the ingredients falling out. Especially the rolls with fish on top.

You don’t understand because you don’t have a child who will refuse to eat certain foods. We had gnocchi with meat sauce tonight as a family. Gave my son the gnocchi of course and he refused to eat a single bite. Went to bed without dinner.

Why is this so hard? Get yourself a Sweetgreen salad, with a couple of ingredients he might like. Remove the lid, serve him out of your bowl. Put his servings on the lid. Voila. That is how my kids learned to eat everything we eat. There is never a need to force a kid to eat something or to send them to bed hungry.

Some of us do get it and this is the correct answer. You are imposing your judgements on your child of what is appropriate for a meal. A 1.5 year old may not eat a meal. You offer plain gnocchi with some veggies or fruit. You don't punish the kid with no food if he refuses to eat. That is abusive and neglectful. My kid loves fresh veggies but not in a salad form. I did what this poster said. Instead of sushi, you order a bowl of plain white rice. Simple. It doesn't that to be all or nothing as a real picky kid will choose nothing and may starve or start eating issues. My kid at 1.5 wouldn't eat anything and was still on formula. You don't know what picky is if its just about certain foods you decide to have a power struggle with. Many little ones don't like sauce and just want it plain or with butter.

For sushi, you open it up and give the cucumber and rice, for example. No, they will not eat it whole (or just use common sense and order a side of rice).

I tried offering the gnocchi plain (of course!) he refused. L I didn’t have any other food at home to give him besides cookies or junk food. I’m trying to not give junk. Where are you getting that I punish my child?! I don’t even know how to punish a 1.5 year old. My toddler simply refuses to eat some nights and I don’t know what to do. He is fine on the growth curve and the doctor doesn’t seem bothered.

My child has refused plain rice so many times and has never tried it. So I’ve never thought to also order it from a sushi restaurant.

At lunch today I gave him some of my lunch meat and he refused to touch it. Same with bread with PB on it. So I have him cheese, which he will eat, and he ate it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what do you guys suggest doing to prevent picky eaters?

My son is 1.5 and very picky already. I do tough love and just feed him whatever it is available. Many times he throws it or won’t touxh it. He’ll go to bed without any dinner. I’m not doing separate meals for a child unless it’s truly something that isn’t kid appropriate (sushi, sweetgreen etc).

Why is sushi and Sweetgreen not kid appropriate? That’s your problem right there. A 1.5 yo can easily eat all parts of sushi... the fish, rice, edamame, cucumver, avocado. We never ever forced our kids to eat anything and never would dream of sending them to bed without dinner. We always had a varied spread and they always found something to eat. This is the norm in most countries.

You are saying I should feed my 1.5 year old a sweetgreen salad for dinner? First off, that’s a huge waste of money because the salads are large. I really don’t think a salad entree is an appropriate meal.

In regards to sushi, I haven’t given it to my son because I figured he couldn’t eat it without most of the ingredients falling out. Especially the rolls with fish on top.

You don’t understand because you don’t have a child who will refuse to eat certain foods. We had gnocchi with meat sauce tonight as a family. Gave my son the gnocchi of course and he refused to eat a single bite. Went to bed without dinner.

Why is this so hard? Get yourself a Sweetgreen salad, with a couple of ingredients he might like. Remove the lid, serve him out of your bowl. Put his servings on the lid. Voila. That is how my kids learned to eat everything we eat. There is never a need to force a kid to eat something or to send them to bed hungry.

Some of us do get it and this is the correct answer. You are imposing your judgements on your child of what is appropriate for a meal. A 1.5 year old may not eat a meal. You offer plain gnocchi with some veggies or fruit. You don't punish the kid with no food if he refuses to eat. That is abusive and neglectful. My kid loves fresh veggies but not in a salad form. I did what this poster said. Instead of sushi, you order a bowl of plain white rice. Simple. It doesn't that to be all or nothing as a real picky kid will choose nothing and may starve or start eating issues. My kid at 1.5 wouldn't eat anything and was still on formula. You don't know what picky is if its just about certain foods you decide to have a power struggle with. Many little ones don't like sauce and just want it plain or with butter.

For sushi, you open it up and give the cucumber and rice, for example. No, they will not eat it whole (or just use common sense and order a side of rice).

You’re an idiot for thinking I didn’t do this. Of course I tried plain gnocchi. Just like I’ve tried other foods plain multiple times. I’d also tried foods WITH sauves in case hat would help. I make sure and try a food multiple times to help. He simply refuses. I’ve tried lunch meat multiple times and he will NOT about it in his mouth. We have given him a wide range of foods and he simply refuses. I can’t shove the food in his mouth. All I can do is give it to him and encourage him to eat it. We’ve even tried one tip from a parenting book to not give it at first and have him ask for it because he sees the parent eating it. Didn’t help.

It’s not certain foods I have a power struggle with. He will only eat 4-5 foods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what do you guys suggest doing to prevent picky eaters?

My son is 1.5 and very picky already. I do tough love and just feed him whatever it is available. Many times he throws it or won’t touxh it. He’ll go to bed without any dinner. I’m not doing separate meals for a child unless it’s truly something that isn’t kid appropriate (sushi, sweetgreen etc).

Sometimes you can't. That's why it's so rude of other parents to judge. I have one kid, 4, who will eat anything. We went to friends' over the weekend and happily are biryani and chicken tikka and dal. My 9 yo has anxiety and one way it manifests is in food avoidance. She is so picky she won't even eat regular kid food like chicken nuggets or Mac and cheese. She hates restaurants and has her "safe" foodabat home.!i would give anything for her to not have that anxiety that limits her but it's not defiance or "pickiness," it's a self defense mechanisms that allows her to exert control and tame her anxiety. No amount of me forcing new foods has ever or will ever help. I offer and offer and occasionally she tries but I have forced it in the past and she had a panic attack and then vomited. Is this typical? No and I don't claim it is. But it's why people like OP suck when they just make blanket judgments that we are lazy parents with annoying kids who are doing this to other people to be pains in the ass.

I wonder how many 9yos in Africa suffer from anxiety and avoid food as a self-defense mechanism.

You realize Africa is not a monolith of poverty and famine right? Moron.

[Anonymous]

You’re clearly the superior parent. Congratulate yourself for raising your children in such a sophisticated, European manner.

[Anonymous]

Ok Sweetgreen lady. I feel bad for you now, I really do. It’s obvious you are reasonable and trying your best. I think a 1.5 year old is a different story altogether and the attitude I started this post with was really about older kids.

My advice to you about your toddler: make sure he is hungry before you sit down for meals (no snacking before meals), never ever give him processed or packaged junk food for snack (no goldfish, no wheat thins, no cookies, no sweet cereal, no yogurt sticks, no fruit leather) and just keep feeding him the healthy foods he likes (cheese, fish) until he gets tired of them. If the only options available for kids are fresh and unprocessed then that is what they will get used to eating. (Obviously I am not including kids with eating disorders or anxiety, those are illnesses that are very different from the run-of-the mill picky American.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’re clearly the superior parent. Congratulate yourself for raising your children in such a sophisticated, European manner.

Sophisticated? For having kids who eat fruits and vegetables and know how to be polite when invited? It’s sad that you call that sophisticated, it is really very basic common sense.

[Anonymous]

One more thing Sweet Green lady: the fact that you had nothing to offer him but gnocchi and junk food/cookies is the crux of the problem. He knows it and is holding out for the junk food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You want the real answer? It’s because American parents coddle their children from birth and let them get away with this ridiculous behavior on the basis that they are “picky” eaters. And unfortunately those children grow into adults with extremely limited palates. That’s one of the main reasons the dining options is this country are so atrocious, generally speaking, and you have to go to a fine dining restauarant for a decent meal.

What a giant pile of drivel this is.

It's actually very truthful.

It's also obviously said by someone who has never lived in Europe, at least never lived in Europe with children.

Oh, god, I could tell you all the stories of fussy children in Europe. Go to places like Germany and France. The kids are all eating plain meats with pasta, couscous, fries, nothing with spices and not even much vegetables either. White and bland. That's the standard diet across the board.

You exaggerate. And besides, everything you listed is infinitely superior to what picky American kids eat.

-1 from a DP who has lived for years in multiple different European countries. This idea that American kids are pickier than their European counterparts is just idiotic hogwash promoted by people who are trying to sell sensationalized books. It's just plain wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok Sweetgreen lady. I feel bad for you now, I really do. It’s obvious you are reasonable and trying your best. I think a 1.5 year old is a different story altogether and the attitude I started this post with was really about older kids.

My advice to you about your toddler: make sure he is hungry before you sit down for meals (no snacking before meals), never ever give him processed or packaged junk food for snack (no goldfish, no wheat thins, no cookies, no sweet cereal, no yogurt sticks, no fruit leather) and just keep feeding him the healthy foods he likes (cheese, fish) until he gets tired of them. If the only options available for kids are fresh and unprocessed then that is what they will get used to eating. (Obviously I am not including kids with eating disorders or anxiety, those are illnesses that are very different from the run-of-the mill picky American.)

Yea, ok... you don't get picky kids. Mine would choose to starve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what do you guys suggest doing to prevent picky eaters?

My son is 1.5 and very picky already. I do tough love and just feed him whatever it is available. Many times he throws it or won’t touxh it. He’ll go to bed without any dinner. I’m not doing separate meals for a child unless it’s truly something that isn’t kid appropriate (sushi, sweetgreen etc).

Why is sushi and Sweetgreen not kid appropriate? That’s your problem right there. A 1.5 yo can easily eat all parts of sushi... the fish, rice, edamame, cucumver, avocado. We never ever forced our kids to eat anything and never would dream of sending them to bed without dinner. We always had a varied spread and they always found something to eat. This is the norm in most countries.

You are saying I should feed my 1.5 year old a sweetgreen salad for dinner? First off, that’s a huge waste of money because the salads are large. I really don’t think a salad entree is an appropriate meal.

In regards to sushi, I haven’t given it to my son because I figured he couldn’t eat it without most of the ingredients falling out. Especially the rolls with fish on top.

You don’t understand because you don’t have a child who will refuse to eat certain foods. We had gnocchi with meat sauce tonight as a family. Gave my son the gnocchi of course and he refused to eat a single bite. Went to bed without dinner.

Why is this so hard? Get yourself a Sweetgreen salad, with a couple of ingredients he might like. Remove the lid, serve him out of your bowl. Put his servings on the lid. Voila. That is how my kids learned to eat everything we eat. There is never a need to force a kid to eat something or to send them to bed hungry.

Some of us do get it and this is the correct answer. You are imposing your judgements on your child of what is appropriate for a meal. A 1.5 year old may not eat a meal. You offer plain gnocchi with some veggies or fruit. You don't punish the kid with no food if he refuses to eat. That is abusive and neglectful. My kid loves fresh veggies but not in a salad form. I did what this poster said. Instead of sushi, you order a bowl of plain white rice. Simple. It doesn't that to be all or nothing as a real picky kid will choose nothing and may starve or start eating issues. My kid at 1.5 wouldn't eat anything and was still on formula. You don't know what picky is if its just about certain foods you decide to have a power struggle with. Many little ones don't like sauce and just want it plain or with butter.

For sushi, you open it up and give the cucumber and rice, for example. No, they will not eat it whole (or just use common sense and order a side of rice).

You’re an idiot for thinking I didn’t do this. Of course I tried plain gnocchi. Just like I’ve tried other foods plain multiple times. I’d also tried foods WITH sauves in case hat would help. I make sure and try a food multiple times to help. He simply refuses. I’ve tried lunch meat multiple times and he will NOT about it in his mouth. We have given him a wide range of foods and he simply refuses. I can’t shove the food in his mouth. All I can do is give it to him and encourage him to eat it. We’ve even tried one tip from a parenting book to not give it at first and have him ask for it because he sees the parent eating it. Didn’t help.

It’s not certain foods I have a power struggle with. He will only eat 4-5 foods.

You give him one of those 4-5 foods and offer him something new each plate. Its ok to waste a bit for him to get used to it and try it. At one, he isn't going to ask for food. You are getting into a power struggle with food as its eat what I say or starve. He's choosing to starve. I hope you are supplementing with BM or Formula. Your parenting book is just a book and not real life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what do you guys suggest doing to prevent picky eaters?

My son is 1.5 and very picky already. I do tough love and just feed him whatever it is available. Many times he throws it or won’t touxh it. He’ll go to bed without any dinner. I’m not doing separate meals for a child unless it’s truly something that isn’t kid appropriate (sushi, sweetgreen etc).

Why is sushi and Sweetgreen not kid appropriate? That’s your problem right there. A 1.5 yo can easily eat all parts of sushi... the fish, rice, edamame, cucumver, avocado. We never ever forced our kids to eat anything and never would dream of sending them to bed without dinner. We always had a varied spread and they always found something to eat. This is the norm in most countries.

You are saying I should feed my 1.5 year old a sweetgreen salad for dinner? First off, that’s a huge waste of money because the salads are large. I really don’t think a salad entree is an appropriate meal.

In regards to sushi, I haven’t given it to my son because I figured he couldn’t eat it without most of the ingredients falling out. Especially the rolls with fish on top.

You don’t understand because you don’t have a child who will refuse to eat certain foods. We had gnocchi with meat sauce tonight as a family. Gave my son the gnocchi of course and he refused to eat a single bite. Went to bed without dinner.

Why is this so hard? Get yourself a Sweetgreen salad, with a couple of ingredients he might like. Remove the lid, serve him out of your bowl. Put his servings on the lid. Voila. That is how my kids learned to eat everything we eat. There is never a need to force a kid to eat something or to send them to bed hungry.

To explain better, my child only has 4-5 foods he likes. He eats french fries, fried fish, cookies and bananas. Sometimes cheese but not always. A sweetgreen salad doesn’t have enough fish and cheese to make it worthwhile to spend $12 on one to try and get him to eat fish and cheese out of it.

He's one. You feed him before you go out to eat or bring food with you. Its easy to put a banana in the diaper bag.