Join the coalition against D.O.T.S.

[Priorityonecb]

Do any of you with picky eaters worry about them getting sick from eating that way? We usually vacation for two weeks at a time. I am all for junk food in moderation, but my girls would be sick if they ate nothing but that for two full weeks. Thankfully, they both love fruits and vegetables and eat those willingly and happily. Wouldn't a child be sick though if they ate nothing but chicken fingers, fries and pizza for a week or two?

Just wanted to add...I am not judging at all...I am genuinely curious. I've never had to deal with a picky eater.

 

[traviesojmt]

I agree. I am constantly amazed by how many threads start off with... "My DD/DS is a picky eater... should we try _______"


YES, try it! Don't let kids be so darned picky!

This made me laugh. I have two children, DS8 and DD3. They have been raised the same. We have lived in different countries, traveled quite a bit and have definitely exposed them to a variety of food. My DS8 will try anything once and is a very good eater. He doesn't like french fries and often surprises waitresses by asking for healthier choices. My DD3, however, will not try anything that doesn't look good to her. That includes foods I know she would like if she would just try them. I don't make special meals for her and I don't choose our restaurants based upon what she will or won't eat, but I do know for sure that she IS a picky eater and there is nothing I can do to change it. Short of force feeding her, she is very stubborn and won't eat it if she doesn't want to. She would as soon skip a meal than eat something she doesn't want. Picky eater does not mean that all she will eat is junk food. It just means that she limits the number of food that she will eat. Fortunately, she does love most fruits, wheat bread and cheese.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Just now say this thread. I will happily join this coalition!!!

 

[jeast]

b/c i have friends who are very picky eaters, and they start that way as kids, and they will become adults like that.

That's quite a leap in logic. just because they start that way, doesn't mean they remain that way. most don't. And don't count college (which I assume is where you are) because in college, ramen noodle soup is it's own food group!

don't worry, when your friends get a little older, get real jobs and have some money, they'll branch out.

Especially with an adventurous friend to help them.

 

[jeast]

By the way, I make my kids eat somewhat healthy on vacation, too. They can have chicken fingers for dinner some nights and steak and veggies other nights. Lots of fruits and no sodas.

I just am careful judging what other people do and why.

 

[JimDearandDarling]

Do any of you with picky eaters worry about them getting sick from eating that way? We usually vacation for two weeks at a time. I am all for junk food in moderation, but my girls would be sick if they ate nothing but that for two full weeks. Thankfully, they both love fruits and vegetables and eat those willingly and happily. Wouldn't a child be sick though if they ate nothing but chicken fingers, fries and pizza for a week or two?

Just wanted to add...I am not judging at all...I am genuinely curious. I've never had to deal with a picky eater.

No mine won't get sick on it....because they might order chicken nuggets each night but that doesn't mean they will eat much of them...as I said earlier they don't like "kid" foods...so they will most likely eat off of my plate....salad, duck, steak, salamon....

they will eat a breakfast...of like eggs, yogurt, or granola bar...then lunch will mainly consist of fast foodish stuff but my sons love salad so they will probably eat a lot of that for lunch if it is offered...

I just don't like people passing judgement on me because my kids will be ordering nuggest at each meal.....its not that they don't get expose to other foods...its they have more of a grown up taste...and disney don't offer small portions of grown up foods for the kids...unless we eat buffet which hubby hates buffett dinners....

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Facinating stuff. DD, now 19, has, to her credit, been a good sport about trying most anything. If she tries it, doesn't like it, then that's fine.

DS, however, used to complain about having to eat the same old thing day in, day out. My response was: "Kiddo, they aren't creating all that much new food. It's not anyone's fault but your own that you don't like but about six things." Fortunately, those six things were fairly nutritious (even though the only veggies he'd touch were green beans and corn.)

But four years in the United States Marine Corps took care of his pickiness. He'll eat most anything now, except anything with a marinara sauce.

I'm not advocating boot camp or the military to improve eating habits, btw.

The big holdout at our house is my precious DW, who can't, for the life of her, stomach any kind of fish or seafood. The rest of us just kinda work around her.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I don't judge parents while at WDW who let their kids eat just junk - for many, it's a vacation treat. Plus, you also have to remember that for anyone on the dining plan, their child has to eat off the kids menu and they really STINK!

Disney is working at better kids menus but I cringe at the day we bring our children to the World on vacation. I hope that options are better by then.

I, too, enjoy chicken strips on occasion. However, chicken strips and fries for a week makes for one tired person. I need more nutrition then that to keep up with the walking!

(my nephew is one of those children allowed to eat whatever he wanted. For him, it's a big health issue now. He's underweight, his labs are terrible, constantly sick, and his ped has told her over and over again she canNOT let him eat what he wants - that she's the adult. he only wants chips, rolls, ketchup, and nuggets from McDonalds. So that's what he eats. He's 6 and in poor health. Pediatrician has said that she has control over his diet, that's why he has a mom; she won't stand up to him. Thankfully, even though I work with hundreds of kids, that's the only family i know that really has let kid run the show and put their own health at risk.)

 

[DaisyD]

Do any of you with picky eaters worry about them getting sick from eating that way? We usually vacation for two weeks at a time. I am all for junk food in moderation, but my girls would be sick if they ate nothing but that for two full weeks. Thankfully, they both love fruits and vegetables and eat those willingly and happily. Wouldn't a child be sick though if they ate nothing but chicken fingers, fries and pizza for a week or two?

Just wanted to add...I am not judging at all...I am genuinely curious. I've never had to deal with a picky eater.

Well we travel close to 3 months a year and my DD is very picky. I don't make her eat or even try anything if she doesn't want to. It works great for us. My older two were also picky but hav grown into very healthy eaters. It's just something that I won't worry about. My little DD won't touch red meat or chicken to save her life but loves grilled cheese, PB&Js, and bagels and cream cheese. Add yogurt and ice cream and you've covered her entire likings! LOL! Oh, and she hasn't had so much as an ear infection and she is 7 y/o. She is also a skinny little thing so I try to get as much fat into as I can.

 

[sjcmi]

We didn't have a very adventerous diet when I was growing up, heck, green bean cassarole was an exotic dish. I did'nt even have broccoli or asperagas untill I had met my wife, and I love them both. I will try almost anything now, and I am looking forward to WDW on the dining plan this fall.

My 9yo DS is another story though, he loves his chicken strips and is not keen on any vegatable, we do make him try all sorts of things now and some he tolerates, eventhough I think he secretly likes it. When we told him about the dining plan and that he can have steak, prime rib or ribs every night he is excited now too.

It takes work, it is only natural for us to take the easy route. For children this means eating what is familiar. We have had meals at home that were unpleasant, forcing our son to eat what was on his plate. We were fairly certain that the carrots were not going to kill him, the hard part was convincing him. We tell him that we are the parents and it is OUR JOB to make sure he eats right. We have the responsibilty to do what is right, and not always take the easy route.