I know this sounds terrible, but would you do it?

[gigi1313]

Thanks to all who pointed out my mistake. I guess I shouldn't assume when responding.

fear thee not, i found your response amusing and understood the "joke!"

 

[ModestMouse]

After reading all these posts about picky eaters...how does one raise a child to not become one? At what age do you start their food adventures?

We started pretty early, say 4 or 5. When we're at home, they eat what we eat. If they don't want what's served at dinner, they can have a peanut butter sandwich and they don't get dessert. Oldest (10) went through a brief pickiness phase that is mostly passed and he is pretty adventurous about trying new foods. If he doesn't like it, fine, but he's tried it. Multiple tries seem to work wonders. Youngest (7) is still in a semi-picky phase but is becoming a bit more daring (he ate calamari last week--by accident, he thought it was a fish stick, and he liked it). But sometimes his pickiness was contradictory: he would tell me he hated cheese, yet he loved queso (melted cheese with peppers) and he loved cheese pizza.

Our kids don't have food allergies or other issues that affect their eating, so our approach would not work for everyone. And oddly enough, they were more willing to try new things at WDW--maybe the excitement of being on vacation? I hope the OP finds a good solution for her son and has a great trip.

 

[redrosesix]

Well, being from Canada I can assure you that our kids like the way we cook things here It really won't be too big a leap for him. Have you looked at the menu:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.ID=137

I'm pretty sure you'll be able to find something he'll like -- I consider my DD pretty fussy (doesn't like too much spice, prefers a basic meat and potatoes healthy sort of meal) but she'd be very happy with the steak on the kids' dinner menu.

But, yes, the regular menu is very grown up -- have a great time.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

What are some of the foods that your son WILL eat?? Perhaps if we knew that we could direct you to places to feed him before you eat.
/QUOTE]

When we went for Spring Break I looked over all the menus on AllEars trying to find places he would like the adult TS. He liked the ham sandwich at 50's PTC and the breakfast buffets. Other than that, it was kids meals for him. He will eat chicken tenders or a hot dog.
My husband and I would like to try more of the ethnic foods, not just Le Cellier, that the World Showcase has to offer, and I wanted to brain storm to see what was the best way to do this with a picky eater. I think when you are on the DDP it does make it a little more challenging, but I've gotten some great ideas from everyone that I didn't think of. Sharing dessert seems like a great idea and I also like the one about bringing the game boy for him to occupy himself. Thanks again everyone for sharing the advice and the frustrations of having a picky eater.
By the way, his sister, who is 3 will eat most things except meat. I don't know what I did wrong with him other than the doctor did tell me that he has heightend senses of smell and taste and this makes some foods more unappealling to him than it would to other people.

 

[crisi]

We started pretty early, say 4 or 5. When we're at home, they eat what we eat. If they don't want what's served at dinner, they can have a peanut butter sandwich and they don't get dessert. Oldest (10) went through a brief pickiness phase that is mostly passed and he is pretty adventurous about trying new foods. If he doesn't like it, fine, but he's tried it. Multiple tries seem to work wonders. Youngest (7) is still in a semi-picky phase but is becoming a bit more daring (he ate calamari last week--by accident, he thought it was a fish stick, and he liked it). But sometimes his pickiness was contradictory: he would tell me he hated cheese, yet he loved queso (melted cheese with peppers) and he loved cheese pizza.

Our kids don't have food allergies or other issues that affect their eating, so our approach would not work for everyone. And oddly enough, they were more willing to try new things at WDW--maybe the excitement of being on vacation? I hope the OP finds a good solution for her son and has a great trip.

We have a near identical strategy - they eat what we eat, if they don't want it, they can have a PB sandwich (or some other thing, but it has to be approved - a bagel with cream cheese is generally approved and is currently popular) - by about four they had to make the PB&J themselves. We don't have dessert as a rule, but post dinner snacking for the non-compliant is very limited.

I won't let my kids go to sleep hungry if they don't eat what is put in front of them - I don't think that's productive for the rest of the evening, sleeping through the night, or functioning in school the next day - and we don't make it a battle. They are encouraged to "try" everything before they make their sandwich - but it isn't forced (if something smells bad to them or looks really gross, making them taste it isn't likely to be productive).

My daughter is much more adventurous out than at home (although she doesn't like Indian food) - my son tends to be the opposite - out it needs to be familiar, at home he'll try anything.

 

[SomDayMyPrnceWillCom]

Well, I have a very adventurouos eater in my DD13. She's up for exotic and doesn't care for "normal" food if we are eating out. Even when she was 3-4, she would turn her nose up at McD's or Sonic. NOOO.. She wanted to go to Red Lobster or the Chinese restaurant for sushi. Of course, that was ok by me for the most part because that's where I liked eating too. I've been a single mom on a teacher's salary, however, so eating at those places sometimes weren't an option! And she thought that Boma would have more exotic foods than it offered. I don't know what she was expecting, but she sure wanted something fancier and more exotic. She liked it, but just thought it would be "more."

Good luck with your adventure. I think you should find most of the restaurants accomodating for your son or go with the plan of feeding him first. Have fun!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

thud

I expect DW is the pickiest adult anywhere, but she always manages to eat, and eat well. Her pickiness is just a perennial joke around our house.

DS, now 25, liked basically four food items, and used to complain because he was bored with those. My response was, "Kiddo, they just aren't inventing any new foods, and you'll need to branch out."

He's a lot more accomodating these days for sure, but I think eating MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat) in Iraq when there was nothing else available caused his palate to be a little less discriminating.

 

[Justsyd2]

After reading all these posts about picky eaters...how does one raise a child to not become one? At what age do you start their food adventures?

I started my son off as soon as he was able to eat table food. By the age of two he was able to dine in fine restaurants with me without a problem! Now at the age of 29 he eats things that I would NEVER try.

I suggest calling Disney Dining to see how they can accommodate him. I'm sure that the Chef can fix him something special.

 

[MickeyNicki]

My best friend is soooo picky about food...so what we did was let her eat CS before we ate and then we went to the TS of our choice and she sat with us and had a diet coke...everyone was happy!

And we did that with our niece in January...we took her to McDonalds before we ate at Fultons...worked out great

 

[RMulieri]

We had a discussion similar to this last year when a poster asked about bringing a meal from the outside into a restaurant that they did not care for any of the menu items. The answer was if they are older than a toddler, than NO it is not going to be allowed. The poster did try to at one of the places and was shot down.Many places will not allow it.

 

[PEANUT1]

After reading all these posts about picky eaters...how does one raise a child to not become one? At what age do you start their food adventures?

I feed my kids what I am eating...that means fish, shrimp, steak, pasta whatever...if they don't eat it, they don't eat. They won't go hungry if they miss a meal or two. My 5 year old is a better eater than my 2 year old. I refuse to make separate meals for my kids. I have friends who cook different meals for everyone in their family. I can't imagine that. My hubby's brother only at chicken fingers and pizza til he was 16...and it was only because he was allowed to do that.

I see lately that children are too often running the household and dictate things that they shouldn't...I am not judging anyone elses practices...this is just what I do.

Also, I think most restaurants can alter menu items that can please even picky eaters. I would never bring an outside meal into Le Cellier...that is uncool.

 

[RMulieri]

I feed my kids what I am eating...that means fish, shrimp, steak, pasta whatever...if they don't eat it, they don't eat. They won't go hungry if they miss a meal or two. My 5 year old is a better eater than my 2 year old. I refuse to make separate meals for my kids. I have friends who cook different meals for everyone in their family. I can't imagine that. My hubby's brother only at chicken fingers and pizza til he was 16...and it was only because he was allowed to do that.

I see lately that children are too often running the household and dictate things that they shouldn't...I am not judging anyone elses practices...this is just what I do.

Also, I think most restaurants can alter menu items that can please even picky eaters. I would never bring an outside meal into Le Cellier...that is uncool.

I am the same way! There are many a night where DD won't eat. I just tell her "you eat what we do, I am not running a restaurant here." She has learned to enjoy new foods. I have a friend that makes her kid chicken nuggets and french fries almost every night , and wonders why she is having issues with her kid eating and gaining 8 lbs in less than a 2 month period.

 

[msce2]

I think it depends on the kid. I have 2 DS's that will eat anything. Literally anything, the 2 year old will even eat off the floor. Calamari, fish, crab, lobster, brussel sprouts, indian, greek, we haven't come across anything yet that DS9 will not eat. DD5 is picky, but is getting better. She has learned this is what is being served for dinner. If you choose not to eat it then that's it. Most times she will eat, sometimes it's only a few bites. But I am really thankful that we don't have any allergies or sensory issues. A medical issue is a totally different ballgame.

You could always try calling Le Cellier (or whatever restaurant) before hand, and work out with the chef something that DS will be comfortable eating. I'm sure if you explain to the CM when you make your ADR's that DS has sensory issues they will be willing to work with you. When I called to make our ADR's DH is allergic to catfish, and we were eating at Garden Grill. They gave me a phone number to call to make arrangements with the restaurant.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

Here's an idea.... let your son have a "kid's night in" at one of the Kids' Clubs (like Neverland Club at the Poly) and you and your husband go enjoy a romantic dinner at Le Cellier sans children. The programs serve kid's foods and they have tons of supervised fun. [You don't have to stay at that resort to use the childcare service.] Just a thought..... have a great time whatever happens. You're still gonna be at Disney World!

 

[RMulieri]

Here's an idea.... let your son have a "kid's night in" at one of the Kids' Clubs (like Neverland Club at the Poly) and you and your husband go enjoy a romantic dinner at Le Cellier sans children. The programs serve kid's foods and they have tons of supervised fun. [You don't have to stay at that resort to use the childcare service.] Just a thought..... have a great time whatever happens. You're still gonna be at Disney World!

It is a good idea, depending how old he will be on arrival. The kids Clubs are for ages 4-12 only. If he is 13 on arrival at Wdw, he can not use the kids clubs.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and opinions.

If we don't do the DDP I think I could find him something off the kids' menu at Le Cellier but definitely not Marrakesh or Nine Dragons. I guess I am concerned about this because last trip there was actually one restaurant that would not let him order off the kids' menu even though I would have been using his adult TS credit so I am afraid there might be others especially in the World Showcase and I would hate for him to have not eaten and have to watch us eat. I think everyone's suggestion to have him eat beforehand and share dessert with us is the best one.

By the way the doctor says he is a super smeller and taster and will probably never be an advertureous eater. He tried a hamburger again last week and still does not like it. People say I shouldn't encourage him to like beef when he's probably going to be told to give it up later in life. But I have to admit I am really tired of the pickiness.

One more question- that may have already been answered somewhere else, do restaurants that aren't buffets have a problem with someone in your party not eating. Would this matter if we are on DDP or paying OOP?

Thanks again everyone.

Sounds like my dd, 15. Add in her 'texture' issues and it's amazing that she grows at all.
She has had a 'discriminating' palate since she was very young. My older kids ate everything that was put in front of them. This one though..not so much. She exists on chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, pizza, cheeseburgers at WDW. She has branched out in the past year and now eats steak. She has never had any trouble ordering off the children's menu..not even last Sept. when we were on the DDP. She used a table service credit for chicken nuggets and pizza at CP..drives me nuts but that's the way it is.

We also do the same thing...I make dinner. If she chooses to not eat with us, she can make a peanut butter sandwich...a staple of her diet for the past 8 years!!!

 

[marcyinPA]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and opinions.

If we don't do the DDP I think I could find him something off the kids' menu at Le Cellier but definitely not Marrakesh or Nine Dragons. I guess I am concerned about this because last trip there was actually one restaurant that would not let him order off the kids' menu even though I would have been using his adult TS credit so I am afraid there might be others especially in the World Showcase and I would hate for him to have not eaten and have to watch us eat. I think everyone's suggestion to have him eat beforehand and share dessert with us is the best one.

By the way the doctor says he is a super smeller and taster and will probably never be an advertureous eater. He tried a hamburger again last week and still does not like it. People say I shouldn't encourage him to like beef when he's probably going to be told to give it up later in life. But I have to admit I am really tired of the pickiness.

One more question- that may have already been answered somewhere else, do restaurants that aren't buffets have a problem with someone in your party not eating. Would this matter if we are on DDP or paying OOP?

Thanks again everyone.

I'm just curious...what DOES he eat? I mean, if you are worried about him not even eating at a buffet....

I have a picky 9 year old, so I know all about food issues with him. However, there is usually SOMETHING (even if it's just ONE thing) on a menu that he will eat. And he eats the basic kids food like chicken tenders, pizza, hot dogs, burgers. But if your son doesn't even eat those, what on earth do you feed him??

 

[marcyinPA]

We have a near identical strategy - they eat what we eat, if they don't want it, they can have a PB sandwich (or some other thing, but it has to be approved - a bagel with cream cheese is generally approved and is currently popular) - by about four they had to make the PB&J themselves. We don't have dessert as a rule, but post dinner snacking for the non-compliant is very limited.

This is exactly how it works in this house too. There have been many a night that my 9 year old has made his own pb&j sandwich for dinner (and has missed out on any desserts!)

 

[princessmom29]

After reading all these posts about picky eaters...how does one raise a child to not become one? At what age do you start their food adventures?

I think that it has to start as soon as they can have table food. I have a DD5 and there have never been and never will be special meals cooked in our hose b/c someone "doesn't like it". She eats what we eat. Always has and is not a picky eater. The only exception I make is when I am making something spicy. I like it really spicy and DD deoesn't so I reserve her potion before adding red pepper. It think most (not all) picky eaters are picky b/c they are allowed to be. I know I am going to get flamed for saying it, but that is how see it form what I have personally witnessed. There are some children with genuine sensory issues, and kids with food allergies that can't eat certian things. My DH is violently allergic to shellfish so we don't ever cook those in my house. By and large though it seems to me that most of the picky children I know are never even challenged to eat something they say they don't like. Even form infancy Mom and Dad just funnel in the chiken nuggets and pizza b/c it is easier than insisting they eat other things.

 

[marcyinPA]

I also think you have to keep re-introducing foods over and over and over. My DS hated green beans....HATED them. He'd gag at the sight of them. BUT, I always put 3 or 4 of them on his plate when we had them. One day, not too long ago (he's 9), I "challenged" him to eat the 4 green beans on his plate. He ate them, and now it's his favorite vegetable. Same thing happened with salad. He wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole. Now he loves it, and will eat a large salad with grilled chicken as a meal. Granted, he only really likes Caesar dressing, but still...that persistence from DH and I paid off!!