Feeding Kids Can Sure Be Frustrating

[Josiegirl]

Three out of 5 lunches were a bust this past week. I'm getting so sick of having so much food leftover although the dogs are happy.
We had:
Salmon
Chicken Parmesan
Ham and cheese sandwiches
Tuna Patties
Pizza

Nobody ate any fish at all, the chicken parmesan was iffy, ham and cheese sandwiches were picked apart, some ate just cheese, others just ham and others just the bread. I expected everybody to love pizza yesterday but even 1 dcg said she didn't like the 'red stuff', which was the same sauce I've always used.
I give up. Maybe I should just feed them Kraft macaroni and cheese like in the old days!

[littletots]

Salmon, Chicken parm? They don't know you're feeding them like kings. :: Fav at my place are chicken patties, fish sticks, pizza. Small bagels with kids spreading their own sauce, adding cheese. They seem to enjoy making their own. Turkey luncheon meat with small bagels. I set out family style plates and they pass, serve and build their own.

[childcaremom]

My eaters haven't eaten much this past few weeks, either. My one guy, who normally eats everything, has now declared he does not like rice anymore and that the carrots at my house don't taste good. :: Pasta is usually a winner for everyone and those plates have sat untouched. :confused:

I am blaming the colds that everyone has.

[Thriftylady]

Salmon, Chicken parm? They don't know you're feeding them like kings. :: Fav at my place are chicken patties, fish sticks, pizza. Small bagels with kids spreading their own sauce, adding cheese. They seem to enjoy making their own. Turkey luncheon meat with small bagels. I set out family style plates and they pass, serve and build their own.

Can you send me the leftovers? I would gladly eat that. Honestly though I have found kids just like simple. The more work we put into it the less they seem to like it. It is frustrating.

[Baby Beluga]

Can you send me the leftovers? I would gladly eat that. Honestly though I have found kids just like simple. The more work we put into it the less they seem to like it. It is frustrating.

I have found the same with my group. If I were to make a meatball sub, no one would touch it. But if I give them meatballs, bread and sauce separately they would gobble it up and ask for seconds. Everything here is "deconstructed"

[laundrymom]

I don't stress over food. I cook healthy, yummy good and offer it. Either they choose to eat it or not. They're the ones who are hungry later on. and grumpy or not, they either play nicely with friends or play by themselves.
I used to worry, but finally decided that catering to their wants was only creating more frustration.
I cook. I serve. I give the opportunity to eat. When they are finished eating I remove rheir plate and move on with my day. I also only serve one serving of each meal component. They may have seconds or thirds or forths of veg when they finish their other food. My portions are big enough that no one starves.

[kbennet]

I agree with Baby Beluga. Deconstructing everything is a huge help, and I also like to give the kids lots of different options. Instead of making sandwiches, I'll give them choices of crackers, turkey, cheese, fruit, veggies, etc., all separate. Kids seem to be more receptive to it, and that way they'll usually eat all of a few of the items.

[Play Care]

I agree with Baby Beluga. Deconstructing everything is a huge help, and I also like to give the kids lots of different options. Instead of making sandwiches, I'll give them choices of crackers, turkey, cheese, fruit, veggies, etc., all separate. Kids seem to be more receptive to it, and that way they'll usually eat all of a few of the items.

Yeah I used to do the "my job is just to offer it" and to an extent I still do - but hungry kids are crabby kids and if me making some slight changes results in more food being eaten than that's what I do.

[LysesKids]

Salmon, Chicken parm? They don't know you're feeding them like kings. :: Fav at my place are chicken patties, fish sticks, pizza. Small bagels with kids spreading their own sauce, adding cheese. They seem to enjoy making their own. Turkey luncheon meat with small bagels. I set out family style plates and they pass, serve and build their own.

I offer deconstructed Fish tacos... you should se how quick the 2 table eaters want them put together like Nana's . I make fresh tortillas & Mango salsa & the guacamole is a hit anytime

[kbennet]

Yeah I used to do the "my job is just to offer it" and to an extent I still do - but hungry kids are crabby kids and if me making some slight changes results in more food being eaten than that's what I do.

Makes total sense! It makes the day go a lot smoother if kids are not hungry.

[Blackcat31]

My kiddos are all fantastic eaters and I am forever grateful for that every time I read a food post.

I can't keep up with their vegetable consumption...

cold veggies offered almost daily:
red, yellow and orange bell peppers
cucumbers
carrot sticks
spinach salad
cabbage (coleslaw)
celery sticks
tomatoes (both cherry and Roma)

Hot veggies (I serve at least one daily WITH the above choices):
carrot coins,
creamed corn
regular corn
green/yellow beans
mixed veggies
lima beans
beets

There are never any left over veggies and hardly any left over anything. I don't think I have a single kid that doesn't eat seconds on everything and most, if not all will eat thirds if they're available.

I serve very little bread/rolls or crackers and very little pasta either.

I don't know what I did to get such good little eaters but like I said, I am grateful every day that they are.

[Josiegirl]

BC, you're very lucky!!! The only veggie here that is eaten by most kids(I say most because 1 dck won't eat anything except corn which I very rarely serve)peas. I'll serve peas and they're gone. Everything else? Sooo hit or miss.

[Unregistered]

My kids like everything basic. Nothing very cooked. I still provide all food groups just not combined and cooked.
fruit and veg:
carrots
tomatoes
celery
cucumbers
snap peas
apples
pears
bananas
melons
berries
grapes

other stuff:
cheeses
crackers
cold cuts
tofu
Dips: hummus, dressings, soy

canned beans of all kids: black, green, refried, pinto
edamame

cooked:
quesadillas
bean and cheese burritos
roasted broccoli and/or cauliflower
rice
mashed potatoes
mac n cheese
spaghetti and meatballs
meatballs alone
oatmeal
grilled cheese

[Josiegirl]

I'm beginning to wonder what planet some of my dcks come from!! Most of the things unreg. and BC have mentioned maybe 1-2 dcks might eat some of them. I'll serve potatoes but only have 1 that will eat them. Oatmeal? 1 dck will eat it. Again with all those veggies listed and even some of the fruits.

I told the dcks the other day there are only 2 foods I'd rather not eat, but everything else I'd at least try. They asked me what those 2 foods were and I said fig newtons and celery(unless you stuff it with p.b. or cream cheese)

[childcaremom]

I feel your pain! Cooking is my least favourite domestic activity.

It can be frustrating but I just keep offering the healthy choices and leaving it at that.

One thing that surprised me. My own dd is very choosy in what she will eat. Classic picky eater. Went out with a friend's family to a sushi restaurant. Loved it! Miso soup and sushi are her new favourites. This is a kid that if asked, will tell you that pizza and tacos are her favourite. Who knew! She is really resistant to trying stuff with us but did it no problem under peer pressure, ha ha.

Favourites here:
quesadillas (made with chickpeas - Looney spoons cook book)
chicken parm
veggie chili with toast fingers (or buns if I've had time to make them)
soups (all kinds, esp beef and barley)
turkey nuggets
sweet and sour meatballs

Everyone's favourite veggie is broccoli. I hated it as a child but this group will eat it every day, . And butternut squash. I will sneak pureed veggies into meals.

Snacks I always do raw veggies and fruits, along with other choices but they are always served. With or without dips. Something we did once was made a fruit salsa, toasted some tortilla wraps, and then used them to dip in the salsa. Delish!

I like to check out some blogs, too, for ideas. Super healthy kids. 100 days of real food. I've asked my older ones for ideas and have 1 day/week of kids' choice (within reason). Usually it's quesadillas or pancakes or scrambled eggs.