
- Iron and protein for children who don’t eat meat. The two most important nutrients in meat are protein and iron, which help little bodies grow big and strong.
- Nut butter. Make your child a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch or give them a few crackers with nut butter as a snack.
- Beans & lentils. Beans and lentils are delicious vegetarian sources of protein, and one of our favorite lunches for picky eaters.
How do I get my child to eat meat?
Start with these ideas for healthy meals for picky eaters! The two most important nutrients in meat are protein and iron, which help little bodies grow big and strong. If your child is not interested in eating meat, it is important to include other foods that are also rich in these two nutrients.
What to feed a kid who doesn’t like chicken?
As mentioned, if your kid doesn’t like chicken and will eat ground beef, then try serving ground chicken. Don’t limit yourself. You can offer soups with meat and stews with meat. You can feed him pulled pork or chicken; sausages, hot dogs and meat sauce with pasta.
Do kids need protein if they don’t eat meat?
While protein can be a concern, they are still LIKELY to meet their protein needs even without eating meat regularly. If you’re like no, they also aren’t eating enough protein — this post has lots of recipes ideas to sneak protein into the carb-y foods kids love! Note: this post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Is it normal for a child to refuse to eat meat?
It’s more common than you may think, and many kids refuse to eat meat. Kids go through a variety of different eating patterns as they grow, and many children will, at some point, decide to stop eating meat. This can happen when a child dislikes the texture, temperature, or taste of meat. However, don’t fret!

Is it okay for a child to not eat meat?
Children can still maintain good nutrition without eating any meat. You do need to pay a bit more attention than usual to making sure she gets enough protein, calories, iron, and vitamin B12. Protein and calories can come from grains, nuts (including peanut butter), and soy products.
What do you feed a toddler who doesn't like meat?
Fresh fish is also very easy to chew (just don't overcook it), and might be a good option for toddlers who are not eating meat yet. Any light, flaky fish would be great. We love swai in our family (here are a few of my favorite swai recipes), but you can try tilapia or salmon as a good "first fish" too.
How do you get a picky kid to eat meat?
How to Get Picky Eaters to Eat BeefStart small.Cook it correctly.Get creative.Make it look good.Keep portions small and bites small.Cook with your kids.Serve it with an ingredient they love.Slow Cooker Recipes with Beef.More items...•
How do you get protein for kids who don't like meat?
Here are some other protein-rich ideas.Other animal products. Salmon, fish sticks, eggs, turkey lunch meat, yogurt, or mozzarella string cheese.Beans and grains. Soy products like soy milk or tofu. (You can even try soy "chicken" nuggets). ... Vegetables. Yet another reason to get kids to eat their veggies!
How can I help my child with extreme picky eating?
AdvertisementRespect your child's appetite — or lack of one. If your child isn't hungry, don't force a meal or snack. ... Stick to the routine. Serve meals and snacks at about the same times every day. ... Be patient with new foods. ... Don't be a short-order cook. ... Make it fun. ... Recruit your child's help. ... Set a good example. ... Be creative.More items...
Do toddlers need to eat meat every day?
Meat can be offered in a balanced diet, but it is not an absolute necessity. " Silber is also the creator of Tiny Tasters, a video-based feeding class for parents and caregivers of babies ages 4 to 12 months, so she's learned a thing or two about how families are concerned with feeding their children enough of the ...
What protein can I eat instead of meat?
These (mostly) vegetarian foods are high in protein and heart-healthy too....How to get protein without the meatPulses. Pulses are an inexpensive protein choice, are high in fibre and a source of iron. ... Soya beans. ... Quinoa. ... Nuts. ... Seeds. ... Cereals and grains. ... Quorn™ ... Dairy.More items...
How do vegetarians get protein in their kids?
Include plant-based protein Aim to serve your child three plant-based protein foods a day such as lentils, beans or soya mince. These foods are rich in protein, which is needed for growth and repair of cells and will provide the nutrition kids need to grow.
What snacks are high in protein?
Here are 30 high protein snacks that are healthy and portable, so you can enjoy them even when you're on the go.Jerky. Jerky is meat that has been trimmed of fat, cut into strips, and dried. ... Trail mix. ... Turkey roll-ups. ... Greek yogurt parfait. ... Veggies and yogurt dip. ... Tuna. ... Hard-boiled eggs. ... Peanut butter celery sticks.More items...
How do you hide meat in kids food?
Dips – Masking the Taste and Texture: Dips can really help mask the flavor of meat. Initially, allow your kid to use a lot of ketchup, ranch, BBQ sauce, honey, syrup, sour cream, salad dressing, spaghetti sauce, Alfredo sauce, pesto, applesauce, etc.
How do I give my toddler meat?
You can just take any ground beef, turkey, or chicken, and offer it either in it's own juices (keep some of that fatty juice to keep it moist) or in a sauce like tomato/pasta sauce. Your baby can eat it with their fingers or with a spoon.