Why won't my kids eat their food?

It seems I can't get my daughter to eat anything other than hamburgers, pizza, and hotdogs with out having a fuss. When I was younger I was given food and I ate it without a question. Now I had a few things I was picky about but not to the extreme of my daughter. She won't eat mayo on her sandwiches. She wants ketchup with everything and only likes cheese with pizza. I mean what kid doesn鈥檛 like a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I only ask because our options are limited at times and I want her to appreciate all that she has. I know the foods she likes are not healthy and I don't want her to have bad eating habits in the future. It hurts me to see my kid refuse food when others aren't as fortunate and I myself didn't always have a bite to eat. What should I do?Why won't my kids eat their food?
My parents did this:



"The things that are on the dinner table is what your options are. If you don't like it, you don't have to eat."



I'm pretty sure if your consistent with her, and really put your foot down, she'll get the idea and eat what you offer. If you give in and just let her have whatever she desires, you're letting her take charge. Don't get so stressed about dippings, my sister is 7 and she eats ketchup with EVERYTHING. She's had it with candy. As long as your child will eat the main dishes, i wouldn't be too concerned about what she's having with it (like ketchup or mayonnaise) In fact, my mom would give my sister ketchup just so she'd eat.
My son eats peanut butter and pepperoni. The doc says they go through stages and their body will crave what they need. As long as she's eating....it's all good. However, don't make anything special for her. Offer a variety of foods at each meal (a fruit, a veggie, a meat, etc.) and tell her to eat what she wants, but that is supper and that is all she gets. She'll eventually eat something. Also, limit milk and no junk snacks between meals. Offer apples, granola, etc for snack. GOOD LUCK!Why won't my kids eat their food?
only give her good foods and no options. if shes hungry enough, she will eat it.
This is a hard one and is very frustrating. I feel for you.



My advice is don't make special orders. For dinner, we give our children what ever we're eating and if they don't want to eat it, that's their decision. We don't fight about it anymore. We do always try to include at least one thing with the meal that we know they'll eat, even if its just a piece of bread or apple slices.Why won't my kids eat their food?
Tell her that if she doesnt want to eat whatever you made for dinner that is fine, but she wont get anything else until breakfast. She wont die from being hungry, and after a few days of it, she will probably decide to eat since going hungry isnt fun. I make my kids eat a little bit of whatever I make. My daughter tries to be picky, but she usually realizes that it isnt THAT bad and she gives in since I wont.





My friend's husband had a similar problem with his son when he was about 5 or 6 (he was a single dad). One night he made pork chops and the kid wouldnt eat them, so he said ok and didnt make a big deal out of it. He didnt feed him anything else and sent him to bed hungry. The next morning, porkchops were served for breakfast, and then again for lunch. After the kid saw that the dad meant business, he ate them and happily ate every other dinner the man served. Sometimes you just have to be tough.
I don't know how old your daughter is, but this sounds quite normal. It is really okay if she doesn't like mayo right now. Maybe she will later and if not, it's not that good for you anyhow. It is true that your body craves what it needs, but also kids are wired not to like things that taste bitter and not to eat things that they don't see others eat. We are all wired this way for survival purposes, so that we don't eat poison. Seriously. This is why kids don't like veggies. Try modeling good eating habits for her, and if that doesn't work, give it time. I wouldn't give in to her too much. I know you want her to eat, but if she's that hungry, she'll eat what you give her. Just give into her a little bit, but most of the time, say, "no, you're having this."
yea thats a common problem. its like a cat. they leave their food but if their hungry they will come back

good luck
OK being a mother of three and having been the daughter of a mother who used to make me sit at the table until I finished my liver or this horrible green pea soup [which looked like a bowl of snot] I decided not to get into food arguments with my kids and avoid arguments. If they they don't like what I cook they can cook or make their own meal ---as long as they put their dishes in the sink when they are done ---works great.
Does she go shopping to the grocery store with you? Introduce her to all the vegetables and let her hold %26amp; smell them and ask her opinion about each one . Say like sweetie , did you know that carrotts are good for your eyes and they help you see better. Ok,

Then take her to the fruits, and do the same

with the apples and all their varieties, peaches, bannas ,etc. try to give examples with the fruit as you did the vegtables. Ask her if she has any questions.

Now during this awareness time if she says mommy I like this one, get it and go on



Do you have a bakery and butcher in the store area.

Show her the loaves of bread and how they are all bread but different kinds.

Deli.......the cheeses show some and see if she wants to sample a tiny bite.

try the decent ham %26amp; turkey samples also.

The meat department ,,,,,, introduce the meat manager or assist to her and tell her this is where all the meats get taken care of by this person. There should also be a fish area in that spot do the same.

When you go down isles show her the good things and then when there are the eatable but no value to the body foods tell her that also.

On each area of things ask her if she would like to take one home.

When you get finished ask her to help pack away things and what would she like to cook tonight with you helping. When they get that opportunity to do this it inforces a new set of values and she will be excited to serve the food to the table and announce to daddy that mommy helped but she did the cooking and the EATING.

Can you make her an apron, they are so eash to do ,and she will feel like a chef and if you make one matching hers she will have such pride in doing this . I also made potholders and gloves for my granddaughters . So easy but much easier on a child to have them to fit her hand.

Ask her what fruit would she like for dessert and have her pick it and bring to the table to enjoy. Make sure you and your husband praise her on the dinner and her now becoming a young lady.

This shows her the good food groups and that she can make good meals with them and be proud of herself.

You can even teach her cookies with benefits, Oatmeal Raisins , and if necessary add some mini chocolate chips and chopped nuts. that cookie will have vital nutrients and things we should have at least once a week. Only Name the cookies her name and Famous Cookies at the end.



Does this help in putting the fire out in junk food?
Tell her you're not running a restaurant and passing out menues. Either she eats what you serve or she can go hungry. When she gets hungry enough, she'll eat.
SPARE THE ROD SPOIL THE CHILD...SAYS IT IN THE BIBLE