More experienced moms of the DIS..a little help here please.

[TheOtherVillainess]

I'm worried about how much protien is in DS's diet since we stopped giving him formula. He eats a LOT of veggies and I'm worried there's not enough protein in just the veggies to support a growing kiddo. So...we've bought the precooked, heat-n-eat chicken strips from the grocery store to give him.

But he won't eat the chicken by itself! He'll only eat it if it's mixed in with his peas or whatever.

How do I get him to eat the chicken by itself? Or do I just give up and accept the fact he'll only eat it mixed in with *something* else?

TOV

 

[Jenn]

My daughter went through a no meat phase. She will now eat most chicken and pork dishes IF I give her applesauce to dip it in. Weird - but it works.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Every time I've tried to give him plain chicken, it's been a battle. He won't eat it. He makes faces at me and spits it out. After fifteen minutes of struggling to get him to eat it,tears,wails and me wanting to smash the chicken into mush, I give up. Whatever he didn't eat (which usually isn't much) gets mixed into his veggies.


Am I expecting too much for him to eat the chicken plain? He'll be one on April 1..that's two weeks away. I'm not trying to get him to self feed (cuz he just gets it all over the place and plays with it anyway)..just to eat the darned chicken.

TOV

 

[CEDmom]

Give him the chicken any way he'll eat it but don't worry too much about the protein thing. I bet he's getting plenty. I think a 1 year old only needs 1-2 tablespoons of meat or protein source a day. If he like mashed potatoes mix some cheese into them. Raviolies (sp?) are another good choice. I used to get the mini sized ones for my DD and cut them in 1/2. When she was a toddler she also liked tofu hot dogs (Smart pups was the brand I think). I'd cut them in quarters length wise and they were easy for her to hold and eat. If your dr. has given the ok on eggs try making a plain omelet and cutting it into pieces for your DS to pick up.

I remember going thru a long phase of needing to dip everything into ketchup. My mom let me because it meant one less battle.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I haven't given him mashed potatoes (cuz making REAL mashed potatoes is too much work and I don't like the fake kind..yuck!). I'll ask his doc about the egg thing the next time we take him in in about a week and a half for his one year check up. I think I read someplace that you're not supposed to give them eggs until after the two year mark because they might become allergic if given sooner than that.


I'm scared to death to give him anything that might cause an allergy. We're giving him whole milk but I really,really don't want to (even though I know he needs it) because of the whole lactose intolerance thing. I don't like the idea of him getting bread, either, because he could develop a wheat allergy. I REFUSE to use anything on him (or give him anything with) peanuts or soy in it because of the chance of a soy/peanut allergy. Everything these days seems to cause an allergy, no matter what it is and there is SOOO much to look out for. *sigh*

There's no such thing as a meat allergy is there?

TOV

 

[poohandwendy]

There are many other sources of protein like cheese, milk, beans, soy products, eggs (not sure what age he is). I wouldn't be so concerned with what specific items he will eat as long as he is getting a balanced diet. Really, does it matter if he prefers his meat mixed with other foods?

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Really, does it matter if he prefers his meat mixed with other foods?

Only to me.

TOV

 

[poohandwendy]

I'm scared to death to give him anything that might cause an allergy. We're giving him whole milk but I really,really don't want to (even though I know he needs it) because of the whole lactose intolerance thing. I don't like the idea of him getting bread, either, because he could develop a wheat allergy. I REFUSE to use anything on him (or give him anything with) peanuts or soy in it because of the chance of a soy/peanut allergy. Everything these days seems to cause an allergy, no matter what it is and there is SOOO much to look out for. *sigh*

Holy cow, I think you need to relax a bit. Has he been diagnosed with any allergies? Most people have no problem with food allergies.

 

[poohandwendy]

Only to me.

LOL, may I ask why?

 

[Beth76]

TOV, learn to pick your battles. If he wants to eat the chicken mixed with the veggies, I see nothing wrong with that. You could try ketchup, but that gets messy and then he may want it on EVERYTHING. Do you ever eat plain chicken? I don't.

And what's up with the allergies? Do food allergies run in your family? If they aren't prevalent in either side of the family, I really wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

He has not been diagnosed for any allergies and the only problem we've had so far was the regular formula made him gassy/spit uppy when he was very smallish. But that doesn't mean he couldn't BECOME allergic to them.

Why does it matter only to me? I don't know. I'm just wierd that way. Being a Virgo tends to make me a bit of a perfectionist and in my screwed up little brain, you DO NOT eat your meat mixed with other things (except maybe sauces/gravy). So I want him to eat his meat seperate from everything else, even though right now he won't.

*sigh*I'm just trying to get this right. I don't want to screw him up any more than neccessary.

TOV

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

My kids never liked meat at that age. I wouldn't worry about it. Like the previous poster said, there are lots of foods that contain protein. My 3 year old still doesn't like meat, only hot dogs, so I just make sure he gets plenty of other stuff he does like. He loves pb&j, mac n cheese, grilled cheese, pasta, veggies, etc. So I don't worry... not to mention he's 95th percentile in height and weight. My 5 year old is just now getting to the age where he really likes to eat meats and try new things. Kids go through stages with eating... the picky stages are always hard, but as long as his height and weight are fine and the ped isn't worried, then I wouldn't worry.

Relax and enjoy!!!!!

(and don't take advice from anyone who doesn't have kids!)

 

[Beth76]

OMG!!! TOV!!!!! You're freaking out!! I can tell you that by worrying about all these little (yes, they are little) things you're going to "screw him up" more than making him eat plain chicken. OK, so you don't like your food mixed, neither do I, but does it really matter if he does? Really? He's ONE!!! I'm sure he won't go through the rest of his life insisting that his chicken and veggies be mixed together. Just be glad that he's eating vegetables. Some people have a heck of time getting their kids to eat anything healthy.

Just relax and enjoy this time!!

 

[CEDmom]

Many doctors wait until a child is 1 before recommending eggs. Our DD was given them by her foster mom well before that so our doctor said to go ahead and continue. She LOVED the omletes I'd make her and could pretty much eat it by herself. I used to mix eggs, a little whole milk, a little rice cereal and a little cheese together, cook it and cut it into squares.

By age 1 or even a little before that kids are fine with milk if they haven't shown any allergies when on formula. Most doctors don't recommend peanut butter until 2-3 because of the risk of choking on it. However, when my DD was about 18 months I started making her a thin dip w/ peanut butter, milk and a little jam that she loved. She's dip apple slices, toast strips etc into it.

Mash potatoes are really easy for a kid. Just nuke a potato, scoop out the inside, mash with a fork and mix in milk, butter and a little cheese if you want.

As long as your DS hasn't shown signs of allergies I think you're worry more than you need to.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I know at the last check up his height/weight were fine..he was like in the 50th percentile for height (27 3/4 inches long) and 5th percentile for weight (17 lbs, 11 oz). I just worry about him not gaining weight, although he has been gaining weight and trending upwards so the pedi hasn't been worried. It's just me.

I dug out the report from the last pedi visit. It says no egg WHITES (so I suppose yolks are ok), peanut/soy products, strawberries or citrus fruits.

TOV

 

[brermomof2]

Don't make him have your "weird quirks". I was that way too about not wanting my foods to touch.

I'm glad I didn't know about those allergies developing because I gave my kids everything - eggs, milk, peanut butter, etc. I guess I'm lucky they turned out ok.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I guess I"m stressing more than I need to because I'm a first time mom and I really don't have anybody (other than youse guys! ) to talk to about these kinds of things. I don't dare talk to my mom..she'll tell me what I SHOULD be doing. If I ask my MIL, she'll criticize me and tell me what I am doing wrong and how I should do it HER way to make it better.

TOV

 

[CEDmom]

I know at the last check up his height/weight were fine..he was like in the 50th percentile for height (27 3/4 inches long) and 5th percentile for weight (17 lbs, 11 oz). I just worry about him not gaining weight, although he has been gaining weight and trending upwards so the pedi hasn't been worried. It's just me.

I dug out the report from the last pedi visit. It says no egg WHITES (so I suppose yolks are ok), peanut/soy products, strawberries or citrus fruits.

TOV

The egg whites are what can cause allergy problems. So until your dr given the ok for the whole egg just scramble the yolks. My DD is also light for her height but boy can she pack it away. Just try to offer him a variety of foods and he'll be fine.

 

[cgcw]

I don't like the idea of him getting bread, either, because he could develop a wheat allergy.

You don't give him bread? How is he getting the grain that his body needs? Most babies love bread and crackers. It's excellent finger food.

He also needs to work on feeding himself, whether you like the mess or not. Developmentally, I feel it's a very important step to their well being.

Don't force your believes and don't battle with him over it. Battles could only cause food issues later. It's not worth it.

JMHO

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I try to, but it seems like he eats NOTHING but veggies sometimes. I've been giving him oatmeal/banana cereal for breakfast but OMG does that make him poop like crazy! Stinky,too.

*ETA..nope..no bread. No crackers, no Cheerios..nada. Just meat, veggies and some fruits. I am hesitant to let him self-feed because I'm afraid he won't get the nutrition he needs. Bugs tends to play with his food more than anything and make a hugemongous mess if I let just put a plate of food in front of him. It's easier to make sure he's eating if I feed him.*

TOV