3yo and eating

[Fearisforsuckers]

Not sure if posting in right place....
My 3yo is so fussy, I'm very limited with what I can cook for him because e just won't eat it!
He won't eat bolegnase, currys, shepherds pies etc or any meat(apart from chicken nuggets, sandwich sliced, chicken , fish fingers or sausages)
He eats a lot of fruit but won't eat veg
This is not through my lack of trying and he used to eat a wide variety of foods as a baby
What I'm asking is are any of your Dcs the same? Is it just the fussy age?

[noblegiraffe]

Exact same as my 3 year old except he won't eat most fruit on top of eating no veg.

IMO you can't force them to eat if they really don't want to (and he really doesn't). We give him a multivitamin to try to compensate for the limited diet.

[ConstantCraving]

..And mine, no veg (unless you count baked beans) and no fruit unless its inside a muffin! Not much of anything else either... Ate loads as a baby and has gradually dropped most things since then. In fact baked beans is about all she eats! I'm telling myself she will grow put of it...

[Fearisforsuckers]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one, I try to hide veg in things but still limited even then, I give him a multivitamin, he looks healthy and is a good height and weight but had a comment from nursery today that they're worried about his eating so has sparked me into worrying if he's not eating well enough
Beans and cheese are a staple in my house at the moment, I guess he's getting calcium and fibre so that's something

[MinaP]

They do go through phases all the time, some last longer than others. It will get better if you keep trying, honestly. Few ideas I would try:

1st maybe try cooking with him homemade versions of what he likes. He will find it fun and there is good chance he might try it. Fish finger might be easier to copy, blend cod, mould in longish tubs, cover with flour, dip in egg and then breadcrumbs (blend krisprolls) and fry in vegetable oil.

If he reaches a point where he doesn't mind trying it may then add few peas, let him cut them with scissors (fun) to make them into smaller pieces then repeat the above.

Try to eat all together, the same food, dads might not like it but us mums can take it easier.
After that i would gently bribe him with little treat, stay calm. Tell him he can try it a bit and if he doesn't like it then spit it, let him play with the food, especially peas or carrots.

Another thing, if he doesn't mind mash, great! You can hide carrots, butternut squash, sweet red peppers there.

Stay calm and be strong! Things will get better

Good luck

[IzzyMitch]

I'm struggling with the same thing! What do people think about an approach where you offer stuff that they used to like but if they don't eat it, don't give them anything else as an alternative? Or is it better to offer an alternative as long as it is reasonably healthy?