3 year old that doesn't like to eat meat

[odragonmommy]

My 3 year old son is not fond of eating meat. He likes chicken and that's about it. He loves eggs, cheese, and milk. I have no problem feeding him a vegitarian diet, just don't know how to balance it out to cover all the protiens and vitamins. Anyone else have a little one like mine??

[jpap]

Welcome! I had the oppostie problem, all meat and no veggies. She grew out of it and now isn't my best eater but she does like veggies, mostly raw. I think if your little one is eating chicken, eggs, cheese and milk that is pretty good. Have you tried beans? I'm sure some of the vegetarians on the board can help with some meat substitutes. I would not worry probably just a phase. If it will ease your mind have him take a multi-vitamin(if you don't already). I'm no expert just a mom, but hope it helps. Janet

[funnybone]

Originally posted by odragonmommy
My 3 year old son is not fond of eating meat. He likes chicken and that's about it. He loves eggs, cheese, and milk. I have no problem feeding him a vegitarian diet, just don't know how to balance it out to cover all the protiens and vitamins. Anyone else have a little one like mine??



I have a similar son, but he's 12. He eats no eggs, and hates veggies too.

[lhall]

My almost 3 year old DD has always been an indifferent meat eater. Beans are good. She'll usually eat 2-3 bites of pork or chicken. Unless it's highly processed chicken nuggets :D She also loves beef. Don't ask, I don't understand. Another thing she eats well is fish. All kinds, I even feed her fresh tuna & swordfish.

She's really good about eating her veggies though. I give her a multivitamin every day and don't worry about it too much.

Leigh

[ChristineVA]

That's very common. I think it is a texture thing with kids that age. Neither of my kids would touch meat until they were about 5 or 6. Oh sure, they would eat the processed kinds of meat that I didn't want them to eat (hot dogs, kielbasa) but they wouldn't eat chicken (unless it was nuggets), steak, etc. But it all kind of changed overnight and then they just wanted flank steak every night. Then it was ham for awhile. I think 2-4 years olds just don't like the chewy texture of meat. Fortunately, in the U.S. it is very easy to do without meat and get your proteins in other ways.
Christine

[Gail]

My 13-year old (who now towers over his mom and outweighs her) started out that way, too. In fact, we were just talking about that... He wouldn't eat beef till he was about six, started out only liking fish (??), then chicken. The first meat he went for was lamb. He now eats anything which isn't nailed down.

Strange child. Still is. ;)

So's his mom, though.

I wouldn't worry. They've given fine suggestions already and I expect you're supplementing your child's diet with multivitamins.

[wallycat]

Originally posted by odragonmommy
My 3 year old son is not fond of eating meat. He likes chicken and that's about it. He loves eggs, cheese, and milk. I have no problem feeding him a vegitarian diet, just don't know how to balance it out to cover all the protiens and vitamins. Anyone else have a little one like mine??

If your child is eating chicken, he is not vegetarian.
Eggs, cheese, milk along with the chicken is A LOT of protein.
He will be fine :)
The body breaks down the amino acids and uses them regardless of where the protein is coming from.

Welcome to the BB :)

[mrswaz]

Don't quote me on this, but I remember reading recently that vegetarians today don't need to worry about protein intake like they used to. With so many foods being fortified now, protein can come from just about anywhere.

I'm sure your 3-yr old is getting plenty.:)

[Mlasley]

Some ideas off the top of my head:
pita with hummus
turkey chili (or chili with beans)
spaghetti with meat sauce
soups with small pieces of meat, tofu, or beans

[rosie_one]

Many of my girlfriends thought I was crazy, but my kids both LOVED tofu when they were little. It's very bland, has kind of a smooth texture, just what many kids like. Maybe give the firm stuff a try? Or make the silken into a smoothie?