What do you when your kids won't eat their food?

eating - this is an image of a little girl eating.
United States
November 12, 2006 5:05pm CST
I'm just wondering what you do when your kids won't eat the food you put in front of them? Even if you try different foods and they still won't eat and then what do you do?
1 person likes this
15 responses
@CMC122003 (316)
• United States
22 Nov 06
My daughter is two and does this. My doctor told me that she will eat when she's hungry. That it's a normal thing for kids that age. I don't know what to do if the child is younger. I hope you find the solution.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Nov 06
Thanks for the info!!
@GardenGerty (157047)
• United States
22 Nov 06
I always tried to make sure I had variety in my meals, so that if there was soemthing my kids did not like there were still some things they did. They were pretty good eaters, but I would say after my son grew up, he is the pits, seldom eats veggies at all. I only tried to insist that one of them eat something they definitely did not like one time, then I saw him throw up. I did not make him eat broccoli again. I think it was the texture. He will eat it raw, spinache, too, raw, but not cooked. So try different styles of serving targeted foods. Yes their tastes change suddenly. All one summer I made "cranky" salad, and told them they were cranky, so they needed to eat healthier. They loved it, but would probably hate it now. It was: C arrots, R aisins, A pples, N uts, and K ohlrabi , served with a little salad dressing. The kids always liked it if I made up funny names for their food.
• United States
22 Nov 06
Thank you for the great advice.
@sweetcakes (3504)
• United States
13 Nov 06
sometimes i cook something my kids don't like. i don't force them to eat it,because we all have tasted something your taste buds didn't agree on. just try to fixed things they like to eat. that way you dont have to worry about food going to waste.
• United States
13 Nov 06
your welcome anytime and you have a good night.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Nov 06
You have a great night too!!
• United States
13 Nov 06
OK great thank you for your advice have a great night :)
@Aali311 (6112)
• United States
13 Nov 06
Just ask them what they would like to eat or give them some milk and leave them alone, it's just a phase they go through, they get over it soon.
• United States
13 Nov 06
Thanks for the advice!! have a good night.
• United States
22 Nov 06
then he dont eat i wont force feed him when hes hungary he will let me know
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Nov 06
Thanks for your reply :)
@Lovely_Lady (1523)
• United States
13 Nov 06
I never had any trouble with my kids. They usually eat anything I give them. Of course, healthy food.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Nov 06
That great you never had any problems with them eating.
@fritz27 (1136)
• United States
12 Nov 06
this is going to gross everyone out, but i would tell me kids that they had to try something and if they didn't like it.......they could spit it in mommy's hand. yes, i know it's gross, but i got them to try and eat so many things that way. it was better than pulling my hair out or sitting and waiting for hours.
• United States
13 Nov 06
Well if that is what worked then what's wrong with that LOL. I have tried so many things and my daughter still isn't a good eater. Thanks for your response :)
@bhchy1 (6047)
• United States
13 Nov 06
Depends on the age of the kids. Toddlers often go through fads where they will eat only certain foods...let them. Forcing them to eat can cause power struggles and eating problems.. If they are older ask them to help prepare the food they wish to eat for that meal.
• United States
13 Nov 06
Yeah my two are toddlers, well my daughter is anyways my son is almost one. She will only eat certain things. I feel like all she eats is hot dogs and mac and cheese...lol. She will eat brocolli though. She use to be a great eater I don't know what happened. Thanks for your advice have a great night :)
@canadabis1 (1953)
• Canada
13 Nov 06
R u kidding?...I'm lucky to get all the silverware back the way my kid eats...and if he eats with his hands...I gotta make sure he stops at the knuckle...lol...hes an eating machine!
• United States
13 Nov 06
My 11 month old son is like that..lol. Thanks for your response :)
• Canada
13 Nov 06
my pleasure...:}
1 person likes this
@melody1011 (1663)
• India
22 Nov 06
I dont have any kids but i guess what my mom did for me would work. Dont give them what they want. Let them be hungry. Not eating for a day wont kill them. When they are really hungry they will automatically eat what is put in front of them. My mom did that for me when i was young and it worked. Best of luck
• United States
13 Nov 06
If they get hungry enough, they will eat. Don't cater to them so much. They will servive mom.
• United States
13 Nov 06
Okay thanks for the advice :) have a great evening!
• Australia
22 Nov 06
hi, im a mum and when my daughter was younger she would not eat much and as a worried mum i seen a doctor. they told me not to worry, she'll eat when she is ready and just to always try different things maybe every half hour or so, but yeah as i got told dont stress they will get hungrey at some stage.........
@joycey (76)
• Australia
13 Nov 06
I have got used to my sons likes and dislikes, so when he wont eat something that I know he does like, I just tell him he wont get anything else to eat until his plate is empty. The food often ends up in the fridge for an hour and then he'll say he is hungry, so - out comes the dinner.
• United States
13 Nov 06
It seems like just when I get used to what my daughter likes and doesn't like she changes all over again...lol. Thanks for the advice have a great day!!!
@seabreeze (659)
• China
22 Nov 06
My kids won't eat their food.I let he go to run!or eat digest agent.
@anne_143god (5387)
• Philippines
22 Nov 06
Tell them you will buy them candys after they fiinshed their meals.