My Toddler Picky Eater Game Plan

This is an Enfagrow sponsored post . All opinions are authentic and my own. Please see my disclosure policy.

About My Toddler Picky Eater…

I wouldn’t say any of my three kids have been “good eaters.”  In fact, I’ve thought at one time or another that they each were quite picky.  But I don’t think I knew what a truly picky eater was until my youngest, J.C., showed me.  He is definitely my pickiest of picky eaters.  While my older two (ages 5 and 7) will at least TRY new foods, he simple refuses.  His diet is pretty much limited to crackers, bananas, blueberries, yogurt, peanut butter toast, and chicken nuggets.  And I guess seeing them all listed out, I realize that at least he does have fruit, whole grains and proteins covered.  But no vegetables whatsoever – not one!  So I stress and worry – as most mamas would – about him getting the nutrients he needs.  I know I need to work on this.  So I’m making a sort of “toddler picky eater plan.”  And when Enfagrow sent us some of their Enfagrow Toddler Next Step – which is specially designed for toddlers 1-3 years to help ensure they get that good nutrition – I was excited to include it in my plan, too.  Check it out…

My Toddler Picky Eater Plan

• Offer New Foods with Foods He Likes – Sometimes I get in the swing of things and just do what’s easiest, which is giving him the foods I know he’ll eat.  But I know you sometimes have to offer new foods many times before a child will try and/or like it.  So I plan to start offering new foods more often – alongside the foods that I know he likes.
• Praise for Touching & Licking New Foods – I think much of J.C.’s picky eating issues stem from his sensory challenges.  He’s seems very hesitant to even touch new foods or different textures.  So I’m going to start making a game of and praising just touching and then licking new foods.
• Food Sensory Play – I think one way to get J.C. used to the texture of new foods would be to actually PLAY with it.  We have a big sensory bin of dry rice and/or beans available at all time.  But I’m also going to start offering some messy food play using pudding and applesauce and such.  In hopes that he finds food more fun and gets a couple yummy licks in while he’s at it.
• Get on an Eating Schedule – We are terrible about any sort of eating schedule in our home.  My kids are snackers… okay, I’m a snacker, too.  And we need to get it under control.  One way to do that is to get on an eating schedule and all sit at the table together for meals and snacks.  This is going to be a tough one for us…
• Make Drinks Healthier – My J.C. is a total sippy cup boy.  He loves carrying it around, snuggling up with it, and YES – even taking it to bed (I know, I know…)  So instead of fighting it, I’m just going to make what I offer in it healthier.  I plan to fill J.C.’s cup with Enfagrow Toddler Next Steps drink a couple times a day.  Then I know he’ll be filling in his nutritional gaps with Enfagrow’s good DHA and vitamins.

More About DHA for Toddlers

Did you know that 85% of the brains growth happens before the age of THREE?!  (If I wasn’t freaking out about my toddler’s nutrition before, I am now!)  What is DHA?

“DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid and it’s a key building block of the brain and eyes. The name DHA is scientific shorthand for docosahexaenoic acid.”  Enfagrow.com

And according to Enfagrow, toddlers only get about 25% of the brain-nourishing DHA many experts recommend.  DHA is an integral part of breastmilk and baby formulas, but once toddler’s outgrow those, their diet is usually quite lacking in DHA.  Beside, one of the best food sources of DHA is fatty fish – I know my toddler picky eater won’t touch that!

So Enfagrow has created two options for toddlers to help them get DHA and other nutrients (like calcium, vitamin D, zinc, and prebiotics): Enfagrow Toddler Transitions (tailored for 9 to 18 month olds) and Enfagrow Toddler Next Steps (tailored for one year olds and up).  And it’s sold in a powder or convenient ready-to-drink boxes, too.

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Try Some Enfagrow With Your Toddler Picky Eater:

Enfagrow has graciously offered to giveaway* an Enfagrow Toddler Gift Package to one lucky B-Inspired Mama reader.  The gift package will include:

• One Toddler Transitions Can (21oz.)
• One Toddler Next Step Natural Milk Flavor Can (24oz.)

To enter, just leave a quick comment below about what you love about Enfagrow and why you’d like to try it!  (Easy-peasy!)

*NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES AND D.C. 18 YEARS AND OLDER ARE WHO ALREADY HAVE INTERNET ACCESS AND VALID E-MAIL ADDRESSES ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Promotion begins 9/30/2014 at 12:00 AM PST and ends at 11:59 PM PST on 10/11/2014. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Official Rules, eligibility, prize descriptions and odds disclosure are available at http://www.thesitsgirls.com/sweepstakes-official-rules/. Sponsor: Mead Johnson & Company, LLC, 2400 West Lloyd Expressway, Evansville, IN 47721.

I received compensation and free Enfagrow for this post. Enfagrow would be happy to help you with your question. Please contact them at 1-800-BABY-123.

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More Ideas for Picky Eaters

 

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I received compensation from the maker of Enfagrow for this post. All opinions are authentic and my own. Please see my disclosure policy.