Jan 14 2009

Picky Toddler Food Consumption – It Does Get Better

Posted by Shen-Li in Feeding, development
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Over the past couple of weeks, all of Gavin’s first molars have finally erupted and he is now able to chew his food with a full complement of first molars. It is amazing what a few extra teeth can do to a toddler’s intake of food. Although there had been concern over the quantity of his food consumption initially, I think that concern has relaxed now that he’s eating much more heartily. He is also more open to trying new foods – well, more so than previously anyway.

So if you’re a parent of a picky eater, rest assured, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Although I would still consider Gavin a selective eater, I think his recent progress is definitely worth celebrating. Now my next biggest concern is trying to encourage him to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Incidentally, consumption of fruits and vegetables appears to be the top concern among parents based on a poll conducted by Naveen on LittleStomaks (also an excellent blog about toddler nutrition). Right now, the only fruit that Gavin consistently consumes is mango. He drinks juices though – apple variants, cranberry variants, and orange. He hasn’t eaten vegetables since he gave up pureed foods at about 8-9 months and I hadn’t figured out how to feed him veggies without mashing it up first. Now that he has molars, perhaps I should start introducing them again…

Now, his favourite foods are still largely Italian-based. He loves pizza and any bread with melted cheese. He eats pasta but specific flavours only. So far the cream-based sauces and my bolognaise sauce are usually a hit. He loves the pasta at a restaurant called “Banquet” in Bangsar Village II (located on Level 1) and often tells me he wants to eat there whenever we walk past it. He has no problem with fluids – he drinks water, juice and milk.

He has even opened up to tasting my fruit juice blends that I make with the Vita-Mix – even the ones I make with banana (which he strangely dislikes – I’ve always thought of banana as a childhood favourite). This has also given me some hope to increasing his fruit and veggie consumption because I can always blend a fruit and veggie concoction for him in future. The fine texture that the Vita-Mix is able to blend everything to is great for making green smoothies (the blending of green veggies with fruits to make it more palatable).

Gavin also likes Ski Divine berry bliss yoghurt (which I tell him is strawberry ice cream), bread with peanut butter and hazelnut spreads, duck, fish, chicken (sometimes), clear soups that my MIL makes, and noodles (depending on flavour).

Oh yeah, he also enjoys eating a variety of junk food but I’m sure that goes without saying. His favourites are still ice cream, chocolate, anything with Milo, Yan Yan, and Rocky.

Gavin hasn’t exactly got my idea of a wholesome and nutritious diet, but he is still on breastmilk which is the only reason why I haven’t considered giving him a multivite because I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t be meeting his basic nutrient requirements if he had to rely on his diet alone.

If you are concerned about your child’s food consumption, Baby Center has a good age-by-age guide to feeding your toddler that you can check out. Please remember that this is only a guide and a child that eats more or less than the guide is not necessarily a concern. The best person to raise your concerns with is your paediatrician.

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