Getting young kids to eat protein?

[mariolatry]

I have two DDS- ages 2.5 and 4.5. They could eat carbs and fruit all day, everyday. Very limited veggies and very limited protein. Other than milk (also becoming more limited), the only protein they eat is processed: turkey bacon, soy sausage, lunch meat, and chicken fingers. I'm worried about sodium intake.

I have breaded chicken in everything from potato chips to corn flakes. I have served pot roast, ground turkey, ground beef, pork roast, etc. I have presented meat, by my count, 58 times in the past three months without them even taking a bite. I was forcing them to take a "no thank you" bite for a while but it did no good.

One will eat some cheese, the other will eat a little bit of peanut butter. I know that kids in this age group only need 2-3 ounces of protein but I'm trying to integrate them into eating what my husband and I eat at every meal. Plus, without some meat, they end up just eating the rice or noodles or whatever the side dish is.

Any hints?

 

[kwelch10377]

Will they eat eggs or nuts?

Will they not eat the meat bc they say they don't like it or they just don't want it bc there is other stuff on their plate that they would prefer?

 

[mtemm]

nix the processed stuff and keep offering the good stuff. I'm a big believer in 3 bites, because it takes kids a while to develop a taste for things.

my 8 year old was a very fussy veggie eater. he loved baby food veggies, but hated real veggies. I was at my wits end and was still giving him baby food veggies when he was 3 because I figured at least he was getting veggies. his ped told me to stop it at age 4, and just keep giving regular ones to him. now at 8 he is a really good eater! oh, and he also hated any meats, but now he eats most happily.

as long as they are getting enough protein to live and grow, I wouldn't worry yet. have you tried eggs? my kids love them. remember protein can be found in other non-meat foods too.

good luck!

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

It is frustrating. My pediatrician gave me the tip when they were little that they had to try something ten times before they could say they didn't like it. Usually after a few tries they like it. Maybe worth a try.

I also love the homemade chicken tender/nugget recipe on the Bisquick box. My kids adore those "homemade" chicken nuggets.

My kids also like pork cutlets if I use shake & bake (probably high sodium but not a lot if you just use a bit to cover)

What about fish? My kids surprised me when they liked fish so much.

Homemade Meatballs are always a hit too. And anything they can dip.
Good luck!

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Oh yeah, and eggs & beans! (not together!)
Great sources of protein. My kids love eggs. Plus we have chickens, so it is an extra treat because they were provided by the pets!

 

[NHdisneylover]

The PP has some very good questions

DS11 has NEVER liked meat. He eats chicken or turkey but has never actually swallowed pork and only a a few bites of beef. Even chicken and turky is not something he eats much of (though in the last year or so he will have spurts of eating it fairly often). I figure in the greater scheme of things the US population eats far too much meat and he does not have that tendancy I should not force it.
He does like peanuts and peanut butter as well as eggs (scrambled or boiled), so he gets his protein there are well as in milk and cheese.
I do not act asa short order cook, but i am willing to leave unassmebled ingredients on the side for him (for example we had chicken tacos for dinner: he had a tortilla, a pile of shredded cheese and a piece of unseasoned chicken (I cook it before seasoning anyway) for his entree. That required no extra work on my part. He has also been capable of making his own PB sandwhich or getting a handful of peanuts out of the pantry since he was three. He can do that, or grab a boiled egg or string cheese from the fridge (assuming there are some) if we are having somehthing he does not eat for dinner.

 

[brasswillow]

What about chocolate protein shakes?

 

[SaraJayne]

OP, I have the same problem with DD. She is a semi-vegetarian. Absolutely will not eat any type of beef or pork.

She'll eat fish that DH catches and makes here at home and will sometimes eat chicken nuggets.

I found that forcing her to eat things she didn't want was a battle I wasn't willing to fight.

So, now for protein, she happily eats peanut butter, peanuts, cheese and milk. And I'm okay with that.

She's growing and is healthy.

 

[FireDancer]

One of my friend's kids were like yours. She got frozen fruit and fruit juice and started making smoothies with either added protein powder or yogurt. Her kids found the combination of chocolate mint protein powder and berry based smoothies to be their favorite.

Quinoa is an unusually complete protein source for a grain. It contains many of the essential amino acids usually found only in meat or supplements. Depending on how you cook Quinoa it can be used as either a rice or even pasta substitute.

Good Peanut butter or Almond butter is also something a lot of kids will eat. By good I mean no ingredients other then nuts (and maybe salt) as opposed to the partially hydrogenated garbage added to most off the shelf PB.

 

[dislaney]

My one child would not really eat meat until she was around 10 or so. Not even chicken nuggets. Mine ate lots of cheese, yogurt, eggs, and peanut butter. She finally does eat chicken, steak, and ground beef but she still is very picky about what meats she will or will not eat.

 

[savannahcat]

I make homemade whole wheat pancakes and waffles and add vanilla protein powder to the batter. My kids love them. They freeze really well too.

 

[JennMouse32]

Speaking as someone who can not have alot of protein.. there is tons of it in tons of things..lots of veggies have protein.. green beans, peas..pasta has it, any kind of nut...tuna.., crackers, there are endless things with protein in them.. get creative.. dont just stick to the regular meat... Not everything has to be super healthy either.. bad things in moderation is the key.. ever heard of that one? its true..​

 

[SaraJayne]

One of my friend's kids were like yours. She got frozen fruit and fruit juice and started making smoothies with either added protein powder or yogurt. Her kids found the combination of chocolate mint protein powder and berry based smoothies to be their favorite.

Quinoa is an unusually complete protein source for a grain. It contains many of the essential amino acids usually found only in meat or supplements. Depending on how you cook Quinoa it can be used as either a rice or even pasta substitute.

Good Peanut butter or Almond butter is also something a lot of kids will eat. By good I mean no ingredients other then nuts (and maybe salt) as opposed to the partially hydrogenated garbage added to most off the shelf PB.

I only buy "natural" PB.

 

[SydSim]

Another vote for protein smoothies - let them think it's a milkshake! Either fruit juice based, or milk based, with yogurt, fruit and a scoop of protein. Heck, they can have a small glass with every meal!

 

[tonilea]

DS refused hamburgers for the longest time..... then one day I told him it was a "Crabby Patty" and suddenly they were a favorite! lol


Actually, DS wasn't that into meat either. Wouldn't eat eggs, beans, peanut butter or most meats. He has pretty much out grown that stage, though he still refuses beans and won't even give me a kiss if I have been eating a pbj.

 

[mariolatry]

They won't eat nuts or eggs.

I made yogurt smoothies about every other day. I might try quinoa.

I guess my question is, if they won't eat protein or veggies at meals, what else do you give them?

 

[jme829]

They won't eat nuts or eggs.

I made yogurt smoothies about every other day. I might try quinoa.

I guess my question is, if they won't eat protein or veggies at meals, what else do you give them?

How about yogurt or cottage cheese? Gogurt is meant to be frozen so its like a popsicle, my kids love those. And my extremely picky dd11 will eat cottage cheese like its the only food on the planet.

We make breakfast "milkshakes" too....,frozen fat free yogurt, a carnation instant breakfast packet , a splash of milk and a squirt of chocolate or strawberry syrup (depending what flavor carnation packet we use-choc, vanilla or strawberry).

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

DS refused hamburgers for the longest time..... then one day I told him it was a "Crabby Patty" and suddenly they were a favorite! lol.

I love it! This sounds like something I would do (if I had thought of it).

 

[MzDiz]

Quinoa contains not many, but all of the amino acids making it a complete protein. The two other sources of complete plant protein are soy and amaranth.
Quinoa is great because of its versatility and texture; it can be added to all kinds of recipes to boost the protein content. A favorite of my kids' is tomato quinoa soup. Quinoa pilaf is super easy and very adaptable depending on what you have on hand.
Definitely don't get stuck on meat or animal products for protein sources. The combination of many foods commonly eaten together can make up a complete protein source as well, such as - beans and rice, bean burritos, peanut butter and crackers, etc.
Why not try unconventional things like hummus and veggies or sweet curry lentils?
If they aren't crazy about beans, you can hide them in a chili by using refried beans and leaving out the meat. Serve it over whole grain tortilla chips with a little shredded cheese and sour cream and they'll wonder what they did to deserve nachos for dinner.

 

[Nette]

Well, this might not be a popular opinion, but if all they will eat is carbs, then I'd serve meals that are only meat and veggies/fruits. If you don't cave they will eventually be hungry enough to eat it. It's highly unlikely that they will starve before they give in and try new things.

That said, DD7 doesn't really eat much "protein" at all. By that I mean she won't eat a lot of meat. She eats about 2 oz of meat 4-5 times per week. If she doesn't want to eat what we're serving she goes hungry. But I never force the issue.