Anonymous wrote:I have 4 kids, ranging in ages from 10-16. My 12 year old daughter is the pickiest child. Has always been picky and seems to be getting pickier every day. My husband and I work long hours so we really don't have time to make "special" meals for her. My other 3 eat everything, or just about. They are also all in the 85-90% height range. My 12 year old DD is in the 15% and I know it has to be in part due to her diet and lack of protein. She was 90% until she turned 3 or so and started getting pickier and pickier. She won't eat cheese, any type, it grosses her out. No deli meats, red meat is on a day to day basis, she eats it 30% of the time when I make it. Hates peanut butter and every other nut butter. Only eats 1 type of yogurt (the one with the orios, which can't have much protein). Won't touch greek yogurt which my other kids love. Edamame she will eat, but only sometimes. She does eat all or most of her vegetables, so she will eat the side dishes during a meal and leave the main dish (meat). Won't touch eggs without gagging. She doesn't like fruit, so smoothies with egg/yogurt hidden in them are a no.
Here is the protein she will eat: Chicken, beans, chickpeas and most legumes. I make legumes once a week, chicken twice a week, but the rest of us want variety so I also make pork (ribs, chops). She drinks 3 cups of milk a day, she likes milk.
I make Banza pasta for school because she loves pasta, and it has tons of protein since it is made with chickpeas. I mix it with a bit of regular pasta so that it makes a complete protein.
Can someone help me with protein ideas? She will go to bed hungry no problem, rather be hungry than eat something she doesn't like.
Pediatrician or dietitian. There is something more going on here.