Serving One Meal Component at a Time

[mamamanda]

For those of you who serve one component at a time, how do you decide when to serve the next food? Not sure I want to go this route, but I'm considering it. I have a couple I know will not eat their veggies though even if that is all thats offered. Do you just wait a certain number of minutes before serving the next thing, or wait until most have eaten? I was thinking the veggies might be more appealing to them if that's the only thing available at the beginning of the meal when everyone is hungry. I've been trying to get creative and serve meals that have the veggies included in the entree so they are kind of "tricked" into eating them, but I have a couple that will just refuse to eat. Today we had veggie omelettes for lunch and dcg refused to eat even a bite. She got down and waited for the next meal. And she likes omelettes! She just didn't want veggies. I wish it just didn't bother me.

[daycare]

I've done it this way for 12 years

Our rule is veggie first, protein, grain, fruit milk last.
You just try two hurts of each and when you have you can move on to your next item.

Works very well for me. 😀

[midaycare]

Lunch time is an event here. It takes me awhile to cook some days. So I usually start out with fruit or veggie, and then another component, then another, etc.

[sharlan]

I've done it this way for 12 years

Our rule is veggie first, protein, grain, fruit milk last.
You just try two hurts of each and when you have you can move on to your next item.

Works very well for me. 😀

Technically not allowed on the food program.

I did it this way for years, 1 item at a time. After I joined the food program my fantastic eaters started eating only fruit. I started giving them larger veggie portions and smaller everything else. It took me over 6 mos, but they're eating great again.

[daycare]

Technically not allowed on the food program.

I did it this way for years, 1 item at a time. After I joined the food program my fantastic eaters started eating only fruit. I started giving them larger veggie portions and smaller everything else. It took me over 6 mos, but they're eating great again.

this is true, however, I have cleared it with mine and she said as long as I am putting each component on their plate according to the required serving size she will allow it.

[NoMoreJuice!]

I missed something, I've never heard of serving one component at a time. It seems like many of you do this, can you explain it to me? What benefits do you see, do the kids eat veggies better? I've always served all plates with all components at the same time. I have a carboholic in my group that will eat bread and almost nothing else, is this a good solution for him? Please fill me in ladies!

[Josiegirl]

I know this isn't what you asked but I'd never do it because 3 out of my 5 dcks wouldn't eat anything. I used to think 'if they eat great, if not then there is always next time' but now I'm of the mindset they need to eat something just so they won't be hungry and grumpy for the next 2 hours. I won't give them 2nds unless they've eaten most of what they have but if they just cannot stomach broccoli or peas, I'm not gonna sweat it. I watched my own kids going through not eating veggies during their growing up years and they eat just fine now. In fact, for years they refused milk too. Let's face it, kids are just strange.
With my particular group all I can foresee is mealtime would be a crying fussy time and that's not what I want to deal with.

[laundrymom]

With my current setup it's just how I serve the meal. I don't "wait" for all of one to be eaten but I potty everyone, get them to the table. Serve milk, then veg. Give the infant a few bites, serve the protein, give the infant a few bites. Rinse and repeat. If they ask for seconds I ask them to finish what they have and be patient while I feed the infant his. Then I start off with seconds of veg. UNtil all my stash is gone. Then fruit or whatever until I'm out of food.
They know to be patient because there are ten of them and one of me.
I don't stress over food. Either they eat. Or are hungry. If they're grumpy, they sit by themselves. I can't micromanage ten little
Tummies. I ensure the under 12 mo crew eat enough. Everyone else self feeds on their own with their peers. I encourage but never nag.

[mamamanda]

I know this isn't what you asked but I'd never do it because 3 out of my 5 dcks wouldn't eat anything. I used to think 'if they eat great, if not then there is always next time' but now I'm of the mindset they need to eat something just so they won't be hungry and grumpy for the next 2 hours. I won't give them 2nds unless they've eaten most of what they have but if they just cannot stomach broccoli or peas, I'm not gonna sweat it. I watched my own kids going through not eating veggies during their growing up years and they eat just fine now. In fact, for years they refused milk too. Let's face it, kids are just strange.
With my particular group all I can foresee is mealtime would be a crying fussy time and that's not what I want to deal with.

I'm so on the fence with it b/c of this very reason. My own 4yo ds is the pickiest eater I've ever met. It is absolutely my fault. He had weight issues as a baby and his dr pushed us to increase calories and feed whatever he would eat. He now will only eat a few foods and sometimes refuses those b/c he just doesn't want them. He says he doesn't like anything new even though he's never tried it.

In an effort to fix this I've taken the eat or don't eat approach and try to make lunch a no pressure battle free zone, but he consistently chooses one item on his plate and that's it. Then he is grouches b/c he's hungry. I feel like I need to insist he try things, at least outside of daycare, but I really want meal times to be comforting family time not a battleground.

Now I have dcks that refuse to eat so many things as well which is just reinforcing his behavior since they don't want it either. One dcg says, "No veggies," like she's calling them out. My biggest concern is that my 14mo ds is an excellent veggie eater, but this week he's been saying no to his veggies when he sees brother or dcg say no. I feel like if they all have to at least try them then its not a taboo food, kwim? But I completely understand grouchy irritable kids when they don't eat. Ugg...sorry. Turned into a vent.

[daycare]

It's how you do it. I don't make a big deal out of eating ever.

You eat or you don't. I can't and won't force you.

We have about 25 min for lunch time available.

Our two bite club (endorsed by the food program) works with these kids.

I encourage they try to bites just like in the story two bite club, and they can tell me immediately I hate this, or whatever. It always starts out rocky. But if someone tries a new food item, like bell pepper raw. We sing the bell, clap our hands take a picture and send it home. With this kind of attention everyone wants in the club.

If they just down right refuse or I know they hate that food they have tried it before and told me, I still have to serve it. but I will still ask them wanna try today and if they say no I serve the next item.

[Blackcat31]

Two bites, one bite, serving components at different intervals, charts, clubs, rewards etc.........

It's all too much hubba balloo for me....

I just put everything on their plates at one time.

I encourage them to start with their cold/fresh veggies first but if they don't. Oh well.

I don't serve seconds of anything unless the whole plate is clean.

Milk is not served until mid-way through the meal. If they drink that, they can have water when they are completely done eating.

I dont have food battles and will not engage in any type of creative methods of "encouraging" them to eat. I've found that the LESS I discuss or focus on food and eating well the better the kids actually eat.

My food program rep has commented many times on the wide variety of veggies and foods my DCK's eat.

I have 10-12 kids daily and not single one of them are picky eaters. Many of them started out that way but it rarely lasts long.

[racemom]

Two bites, one bite, serving components at different intervals, charts, clubs, rewards etc.........

It's all too much hubba balloo for me....

I just put everything on their plates at one time.

I encourage them to start with their cold/fresh veggies first but if they don't. Oh well.

I don't serve seconds of anything unless the whole plate is clean.

Milk is not served until mid-way through the meal. If they drink that, they can have water when they are completely done eating.

I dont have food battles and will not engage in any type of creative methods of "encouraging" them to eat. I've found that the LESS I discuss or focus on food and eating well the better the kids actually eat.

My food program rep has commented many times on the wide variety of veggies and foods my DCK's eat.

I have 10-12 kids daily and not single one of them are picky eaters. Many of them started out that way but it rarely lasts long.

This is how I do it. I serve everything and if the want more of one component it is only after they eat everything on their plate. I have toddlers, so if it becomes a battle, nobody eats. My attitude is, eat or don't it doesn't matter to me, but if you want more you need a clean plate. I have only 1 picky eater, and she is slowly coming around because she is not getting her way and I refuse to give in to her

[Unregistered]

The only thing I do different is serve a half portion for my kids who routinely only eat one componant. If they finish they get the other half.

[mamamanda]

Today ds started in saying he wasn't eating any of his lunch again. He liked what was served, but just didn't want it. I said, "I'm not fighting you to eat, you can decide if you're hungry or not. But if you choose not to eat your lunch I'm not giving you any other food at snack time. You can eat your lunch." He thought for a minute and then started eating his broccoli. Just a coincidence, my mac n cheese meal took longer than everything else so I was still finishing that, but had the rest of the food on the plates. He ended up eating 4 helpings of broccoli and about a tbsp of peanut butter. When I offered the mac n cheese he was too full to eat it! My ds filling up on veggies! That has never happened before! It might not happen again, but I'm calling today a success. After asking to be excused he said, "Will I be allowed to have snack food at the next meal now?" ::
Also, we read the Two Bite Club book today and he enjoyed it. Thank you for the recommendation Daycare!

[Josiegirl]

Wow Mama, I'm glad that worked! Hmm, maybe I'll have have a change of heart and give it a try. And 4 helpings? Must be he just needed to be pushed over the hurdle to give it a try and found out it wasn't poisoned.