Protein - Toddler Eating Question

My DS is under 1.5 years old. I am concerned that his daily intake of food is becoming very carb-centered. He LOVES fruit, loves carbs (don't we all), especially for breakfast. Doesn't like eggs. Would live on pasta if he could. Meat isn't his favorite, I think its mostly a textural thing... like if the meat is shredded chicken in a sauce, or shrimp, he will eat it. If it's a chicken cutlet, he will dip it in ketchup and eat it. Depends on the day lol

I try to get him to eat meat once a day. For dinner I try to give him what we eat - Last night I made us ground beef tacos and he wouldn't go near the meat. He ended up eating something completely separate from us, which I don't love, but I need him to eat, so that's my main concern. He has yogurt daily, so that's a source of protein... and today I cut up some turkey meatballs and mixed them into his pasta for lunch at school. I am hoping he will eat it, we will see what the teacher says later.

Just looking for some insight, does anyone else feel like their toddler's diet is centered around carbs, dairy, and fruit? I would like to not have to make him separate meals at dinner, so now this is a whole new element of stress on top of the normal "wtf am I going to make for dinner tonight"

Re: Protein - Toddler Eating Question

Will he eat peanut butter?

When we make tacos, I always also make refried beans. My son loves those, so I normally mix the beans with a little meat and cheese and he'll eat that.

Re: Protein - Toddler Eating Question

DD was the same way. I used to say she was on the "reverse Atkins diet" - all carbs, no protein.
She just wasn't a big meat eater.
At almost 7 she still isn't a huge meat eater but will eat a burger, chicken, meatloaf, meatballs a few things she never used to eat.

Can he have peanut butter yet? that's a good source of protein.
Yogurt and the yogurt drinks are good. Greek yogurt has more protein than traditional if he will eat that.
Beans maybe?
Cheese is another good one

I think they also make a pasta that is fortified with protein- maybe it's Smart Taste? Take a look

I wouldn't sweat it. DD was the same way and she is still alive.
And she is pretty healthy.

They all go through phases like this. Just do what you can

Message edited 4/20/2017 1:35:26 PM.

Protein - Toddler Eating Question

Definitely loves peanut butter, but I have to reserve that for the weekends because his school is peanut free. Good idea about the refried beans, I have to try that.

Glad to see other kids were this way, I had a feeling. I asked his teacher what the other kids eat for lunch and she was basically like "don't worry about it, they all eat the same basic stuff" lol.

Protein - Toddler Eating Question

My 5yo will not touch meat. Her daily protein comes from Greek yogurt and cheese mostly plus occasionally scrambled eggs. She eats oatmeal most mornings, PBJ and/or yogurt for lunch and dinner is usually a carb and cheese combo (mac n cheese, quesadillas, grilled cheese).

My 2.5yo is tough bc she wants what her big sister has so she's eating less and less variety. She does like chickpeas, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, cheese sticks, nuts, milk, taco meat, bacon, pepperoni, hot dogs. All things her sister won't eat anymore.

Other pevious favorites were earth's best mini meatballs, ham, Italian sausage mac n cheese with bits of chicken. Maybe there are some ideas here he may like. I definitely try to include snacks that have protein to bump up their intake and usually opt for greek yogurt bc of the protein.

Protein - Toddler Eating Question

i think it is pretty typical. TODDLERS! ugh! lol

our Dr. suggested we get our DS on more protein, less dairy at 1 1/2 years old bc he was not gaining enough but we tried and failed mostly.
she said try allowing him to graze. that worked early on, but stopped a couple months ago.
she said dont offer him the mac & cheese, just let him not eat.... but thats tough!! (didnt really work)
he would always eat at day care (they provide food like pizza, chicken nuggets, with veggies & fruit etc), so we knew he was getting SOME good stuff in.

now at a little over 2 yrs old, he is starting to east more veggies & try more meats and good food.

basically, it was just a phase but you have to keep trying and trying everything!

Re: Protein - Toddler Eating Question

Exactly my 15 month old as well. She would eat pasta or rice all day if I let her. And blueberries. Everything else is totally hit or miss.

She will sometimes eat turkey meatballs or chicken, but not all the time. I also find she refuses to eat the same thing two days in a row. So if I see she is enjoying meatballs, I can't give it to her again the next day - she flat out pushes the plate away.

Quinoa is another food that I think has good protein in it and it is like a carb, so maybe try that. Mine loves it.

Re: Protein - Toddler Eating Question

Re: Protein - Toddler Eating Question

Re: Protein - Toddler Eating Question

Re: Protein - Toddler Eating Question

The Happy Tot fiber and protein pouches are great. Then you know they at least got something when they are on a meat and veggie strike!

Re: Protein - Toddler Eating Question

Re: Protein - Toddler Eating Question

Re: Protein - Toddler Eating Question

Children should get about 60% of their calories from carbs. They are supposed to eat carb centered diets. Their bodies and brains needs it!
For protein they need about 1g for every 2lbs of body weight. So a 30lb child only needs 15g of protein. Protein in excess is actually pretty dangerous for their little filtering kidneys.

Their macronutrient needs are very different than an adults.

And they eat a lot of fruit because it fulfills their hydration needs as well. It's all very primal if you break it down.

Protein - Toddler Eating Question

Mine will pick at meat but generally won't eat a ton of it. I can sometimes get her to eat some chicken meatballs and she loves zorns turkey. I give her peanut butter, cheese, smoothies.

Honestly, I'm 32 and not a big meat eater. It seems to bug DH that she's not much of a carnivore but I see no reason to push it.

Re: Protein - Toddler Eating Question

My almost 2-year old eats plain pasta, chicken nuggets, yogurt or fruit. That's it. Literally. I don't worry about it b/c I know one day she'll discover that she likes more foods.

Re: Protein - Toddler Eating Question

My ds1 is a very picky eater. His main protein is greek yogurt and fish sticks. He absolutely loves fish sticks!

Re: Protein - Toddler Eating Question

Yes plus carbs are just easier to come by, prepare, and taste better. I've been working on his too. My kids love cottage cheese and Greek yogurt which have a lot of protein so I give them that every day with their fruit.. Also eggs for breakfast. Chicken strips & fish filets. Peanut butter for my older son, little one is allergic. They also like beans. I mix the baby jars of meat into their veggies. I am always getting annoyed with DH when he gives them very carb heavy meals lol, I tell him it's too much with the constant carbs & he thinks I'm crazy lol. I just want their diet to be balanced.

Protein - Toddler Eating Question

My son will not eat individual meats unless it's a chicken nugget or hot dog. He will eat things like chicken quesadillas, tacos, chili, and sandwiches. He also loves yogurt, peanut butter, eggs and cheese so I don't stress that he's doesn't eat traditional meat. I know he will at some point.

Message edited 4/20/2017 5:10:06 PM.

Re: Protein - Toddler Eating Question

Another issue I hae with my DD's diet being so high in carbs is that she gets terribly constipated!
She eats some fruit but barely a vege.
I feel like all the white carbs she eats really back her up and she gets awful stomach pains until she can finally go.
I give her fiber gummies, a probiotic daily, but her diet really is awful
I am trying to rectify that but it's hard because she's so picky!
I need to do more whole grains at least