clever marketing for picky eaters - PIP / LIP

[CloudBee]

DS has been such a picky eater lately. Basic toddler foods like pasta, which he would always eat, have been getting the cold shoulder. He's mainly surviving off of a variety of fruit, milk, corn on the cob, PB, baked beans, cashews, bagels, and cereal.

I usually shop at WF, TJ, and a local market, as the big chain store is on the other side of town and not near any place else I shop regularly. Last week I dragged myself to the chain store for the first time in probably 2 months to stock up on staples not found anywhere else.

I came across these Birds Eye pasta / veggie combos and bought 3 varieties.

Last night I asked DS if he wanted to eat Mickey pasta, Olaf, or Cars. He examined each package and decided upon Mickey, then helped me "cook" by dumping the bag into a bowl for me. I cooked in the bowl vs. steaming in the plastic bag. (We had leftover spicy Chinese for dinner, so he needed his own meal.)

He downed an entire bowl of Mickey pasta with corn, then had 8oz of milk, half of a PB sandwich on WH, and half an apple.

I feel like I've won at parenting this week. LOL.

www.birdseye.com/vegetable-products/birdseye-steamfresh/disney-by-steamfresh

Here's the tomato / carrot version:

[noodleskooze]

We might need to grab some of these for nights we're desperate. He would go crazy for Cars or Mickey dinners.

[SJ]

A doesn't care about characters yet, but she is crazy about anything packaged in that Gerber yellow....I should just keep one of the cardboard shells and start wrapping whatever I want in it...

[CloudBee]

He's pickiest at night (less of an appetite), and I'm tired of always serving PB after he's turned down other items. At least we'll get a little more variety in him along with a veggie. It's also reinforcing "savory" for dinner vs. "sandwich". Ha!

[CloudBee]

Sept 29, 2015 12:00:28 GMT -5 SJ said:

A doesn't care about characters yet, but she is crazy about anything packaged in that Gerber yellow....I should just keep one of the cardboard shells and start wrapping whatever I want in it...

Is it the box, or the blue plastic tray that makes her think she'll like it? If the tray might work - start saving them and serve other food on that! LOL

[CloudBee]

Sept 29, 2015 12:07:56 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

No way Joanna would eat that.
1) it's red
2) it's not elbow shaped
3) there are some vegetable-looking things in it.

lol. I'm glad it worked for you guys, though!

SHe does like these muffins that have veggies in them. 

Bummer! DS won't eat elbows right now! LOL

Those muffins are awesome! I will have to look for them. I make muffins every 1-2 wks and freeze half the batch so we always have a variety in the freezer. I add things like spinach, zucchini, carrot puree, sweet potato, etc. I like how he's downing vegs and has NO idea. Did not know you could buy ready-made veg muffins!!

[CloudBee]

Sept 29, 2015 12:03:29 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Sept 29, 2015 12:00:28 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

He's pickiest at night (less of an appetite), and I'm tired of always serving PB after he's turned down other items. At least we'll get a little more variety in him along with a veggie. It's also reinforcing "savory" for dinner vs. "sandwich". Ha!

I love the Olafs! So cute. Also, it's totally normal for toddlers to eat the bulk of their calories during the day--Ella just picks at her dinner most nights. So as long as overall he's getting in enough food, I wouldn't worry too much if he's not hungry in the evening. 

I know. I actually posted about that a week or two ago to gauge what was normal. 

I at least want to avoid doing sweet items (PB) at dinner. He will usually eat a little something, so I'm trying to get him back onto the savory wagon with the hopes that he'll eventually get back to eating what we're eating, even if the amounts are still small.

Question - if he doesn't eat much or anything for dinner, what's a good habit on my part? Asking him later if he's hungry and offering food, or waiting to see if he asks us? What's the healthy approach? Offering or waiting for them to express that they feel hungry?

[jr009j]

I wish DD1 would eat pasta. I did get her to try French toast because Elmo was on the package

[mainelyfoolish]

Sept 29, 2015 12:12:49 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Question - if he doesn't eat much or anything for dinner, what's a good habit on my part? Asking him later if he's hungry and offering food, or waiting to see if he asks us? What's the healthy approach? Offering or waiting for them to express that they feel hungry?

If you offer him food later after he refuses dinner, he's going to learn that he doesn't have to eat what you serve for dinner because he'll get what he really wants later. 

In in our house, dinner is the last food opportunity of the day. With rare exceptions, I serve a family dinner including at least one item that the kids should be willing to eat, and it's their choice to eat or not eat. This doesn't mean that my kids eat what I cook; a lot of times DD chooses to eat a piece of bread for dinner. But it's her body, she gets to choose what she puts in it from the foods that I offer. 

[namasteak]

Those look great!

[blueberry10]

Ooh, I will have to give these a try!

[CloudBee]

Sept 29, 2015 13:08:44 GMT -5 swizz said:

Sept 29, 2015 13:02:49 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

OH man, KIDS! Cora will eat stouffer's but those are like $1.50/each! LoL

You're probably saving that much in not having to add butter, so it may actually even out to a box of character Kraft?

[jessnpaul]

We found some pasta at Big Lots of all places that were in the shape of spaceships and astronauts. He loved them! I need to find these other items... my child barely eats

[namasteak]

I wonder if Target carries these...

[namasteak]

Sept 29, 2015 13:08:44 GMT -5 swizz said:

Sept 29, 2015 13:02:49 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

Oh Joanna will only eat boxed elbow noodles with orange cheese powder. Not just any elbow noodles! I tried the veggie bow ties because I thought they'd be fun. She wouldn't even try them.  (wilted)  Elizabeth is getting almost as bad.

OH man, KIDS! Cora will eat stouffer's but those are like $1.50/each! LoL

What if you got the family size and split it up?

[dcn]

Sept 29, 2015 12:12:49 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Sept 29, 2015 12:03:29 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

I love the Olafs! So cute. Also, it's totally normal for toddlers to eat the bulk of their calories during the day--Ella just picks at her dinner most nights. So as long as overall he's getting in enough food, I wouldn't worry too much if he's not hungry in the evening. 

I know. I actually posted about that a week or two ago to gauge what was normal. 

I at least want to avoid doing sweet items (PB) at dinner. He will usually eat a little something, so I'm trying to get him back onto the savory wagon with the hopes that he'll eventually get back to eating what we're eating, even if the amounts are still small.

Question - if he doesn't eat much or anything for dinner, what's a good habit on my part? Asking him later if he's hungry and offering food, or waiting to see if he asks us? What's the healthy approach? Offering or waiting for them to express that they feel hungry?

We don't offer. If he asks for food we re-offer dinner. If he's really hungry he will eat some of that. If he doesn't then he just goes to bed. Sometimes I feel bad and offer plain yogurt if he asks for food.

[Deleted]

Those are cute. I keep the regular ones on hand for fast lunches once in awhile. They're not bad for noodles in a bag.

And my grocery bill is atrocious because if it's at all kind friendly and healthy, I'll buy. No guilt.

[namasteak]

Sept 29, 2015 13:22:31 GMT -5 dcn said:

Sept 29, 2015 12:12:49 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

I know. I actually posted about that a week or two ago to gauge what was normal. 

I at least want to avoid doing sweet items (PB) at dinner. He will usually eat a little something, so I'm trying to get him back onto the savory wagon with the hopes that he'll eventually get back to eating what we're eating, even if the amounts are still small.

Question - if he doesn't eat much or anything for dinner, what's a good habit on my part? Asking him later if he's hungry and offering food, or waiting to see if he asks us? What's the healthy approach? Offering or waiting for them to express that they feel hungry?

We don't offer. If he asks for food we re-offer dinner. If he's really hungry he will eat some of that. If he doesn't then he just goes to bed. Sometimes I feel bad and offer plain yogurt if he asks for food.

This is what we do too except I offer WCM.

[CloudBee]

Sept 29, 2015 13:16:23 GMT -5 swizz said:

Sept 29, 2015 13:11:29 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

You're probably saving that much in not having to add butter, so it may actually even out to a box of character Kraft?

You only have to add water to Easy Mac.

Oh! I didn't realize Easy Mac came in character shapes! I will check it out!

[cincodemayo]

My kid would probably turn his nose up at this but we would definitely have a chance at the Anna/Elsa one. He just started eating carrots and peas and we are SO proud! lol.

We also aren't good at saying no to other food a few hours after dinner. We usually don't offer but he almost always asks for something, lately we give him waffle with PB or an apple.

[lolo]

Sept 29, 2015 12:10:29 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Sept 29, 2015 12:07:56 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

No way Joanna would eat that.
1) it's red
2) it's not elbow shaped
3) there are some vegetable-looking things in it.

lol. I'm glad it worked for you guys, though!

SHe does like these muffins that have veggies in them. 

Bummer! DS won't eat elbows right now! LOL

Those muffins are awesome! I will have to look for them. I make muffins every 1-2 wks and freeze half the batch so we always have a variety in the freezer. I add things like spinach, zucchini, carrot puree, sweet potato, etc. I like how he's downing vegs and has NO idea. Did not know you could buy ready-made veg muffins!!

Do you have any favorite recipes? How do you freeze and thaw them?

[lolo]

Sept 29, 2015 12:12:49 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Sept 29, 2015 12:03:29 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

I love the Olafs! So cute. Also, it's totally normal for toddlers to eat the bulk of their calories during the day--Ella just picks at her dinner most nights. So as long as overall he's getting in enough food, I wouldn't worry too much if he's not hungry in the evening. 

I know. I actually posted about that a week or two ago to gauge what was normal. 

I at least want to avoid doing sweet items (PB) at dinner. He will usually eat a little something, so I'm trying to get him back onto the savory wagon with the hopes that he'll eventually get back to eating what we're eating, even if the amounts are still small.

Question - if he doesn't eat much or anything for dinner, what's a good habit on my part? Asking him later if he's hungry and offering food, or waiting to see if he asks us? What's the healthy approach? Offering or waiting for them to express that they feel hungry?

Will he eat pb without added sugar? We use a natural pb with J that only has peanuts and a very small amount of salt. She loves it.

[CloudBee]

Sept 29, 2015 13:54:31 GMT -5 lolo said:

Sept 29, 2015 12:10:29 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

...

Do you have any favorite recipes? How do you freeze and thaw them?

Banana Peanut Butter Oat Muffins - no flour, just oats

thewholesomedish.com/banana-peanut-butter-oat-muffins/

- I do not add sugar (note they are very super sweet if you omit sugar, so you may want to include it)

- I add in a pouch of sweet potato puree

- I add an extra egg

- I add about 25% more oats than stated in recipe (to soak up puree and moisture from spinach)

- I add cinnamon

- I add about 1/4 cup chopped frozen spinach

- I add in about 1/4 cup of dried currants (you can use raisins)

Blueberry Yogurt Muffins

www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/blueberry-yogurt-muffins

- I omit milk and oil, and add in a couple mashed bananas, a sweet potato pouch, a carrot pouch, or zucchini

- Sometimes I use raspberries, blackberries, fresh currants, or a combination

- Usually I add in wheat germ or ground flax, too

You can also add a scoop of protein powder to just about any dense baked good.

ETA: I just toss them into a large ziplock bag, label the type of muffin, and throw it into the freezer. We usually freeze half of almost all baked goods within 24-48 hrs, as there are only 3 of us. This morning I pulled one of those PB Oat muffins out of the freezer, microwaved it at the default setting for 30 seconds, it didn't feel fully thawed, so I cooked it for another 10-15 seconds. It was a standard size, not jumbo.

Mini muffins always thaw within 30 seconds. But those need a minute to cool before I give them to DS.

Oat based muffins take more time to heat as they are dense.

Be careful reheating any muffins with berries or raisins, as they have really hot spots. Especially raisins!

 

[Deleted]

Sept 29, 2015 12:53:36 GMT -5 mainelyfoolish said:

Sept 29, 2015 12:12:49 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Question - if he doesn't eat much or anything for dinner, what's a good habit on my part? Asking him later if he's hungry and offering food, or waiting to see if he asks us? What's the healthy approach? Offering or waiting for them to express that they feel hungry?

If you offer him food later after he refuses dinner, he's going to learn that he doesn't have to eat what you serve for dinner because he'll get what he really wants later. 

In in our house, dinner is the last food opportunity of the day. With rare exceptions, I serve a family dinner including at least one item that the kids should be willing to eat, and it's their choice to eat or not eat. This doesn't mean that my kids eat what I cook; a lot of times DD chooses to eat a piece of bread for dinner. But it's her body, she gets to choose what she puts in it from the foods that I offer. 

Eh, I have no problem just re-offering dinner later. I'm hungry by 5:30 or 6. Sometimes they're not. I don't actually care if they eat it now or later. They should eat when they're hungry and I have no desire to send them to bed hungry to prove a point. 

[CloudBee]

Sept 29, 2015 13:56:30 GMT -5 lolo said:

Sept 29, 2015 12:12:49 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

 ..

Will he eat pb without added sugar? We use a natural pb with J that only has peanuts and a very small amount of salt. She loves it.

Huh. Probably. And we may actually have some of that in the cabinet. I prefer Jif because it spreads so easily. I've not checked the sugar content of the WF brand, which I bought when we were out of Jif. It's been pushed to the back of the cabinet, half used. He has eaten it in the past, but I'm not positive it's unsweetened.

[noodleskooze]

We let Leo graze around dinner time/up to half an hour before bedtime. He usually has a snack right when he gets home from daycare at 4:30, so sometimes he's just not that hungry for dinner at 6-6:30. We don't want him to go too long without eating though; he's woken up MOTN, eaten half a bagel, and then gone back to bed, so we know he'll wake up if he's hungry and would like to avoid that.

[joyhart02]

Jumping in, I just bought canned veggies with the similar Olaf, Elsa and Anna. My three year old is so excited for her Frozen corn.

[h]

DS2 will eat any shape of pasta...as long as it does not have any sauce, cheese, or vegetables on it. Which makes it really hard to sneak in nutrition.

[lolo]

Sept 29, 2015 14:10:59 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Sept 29, 2015 13:56:30 GMT -5 lolo said:

Will he eat pb without added sugar? We use a natural pb with J that only has peanuts and a very small amount of salt. She loves it.

Huh. Probably. And we may actually have some of that in the cabinet. I prefer Jif because it spreads so easily. I've not checked the sugar content of the WF brand, which I bought when we were out of Jif. It's been pushed to the back of the cabinet, half used. He has eaten it in the past, but I'm not positive it's unsweetened.

The brand we buy is wild oats which we get at fresh and easy. Not sure if you have those. It spreads really well, as well as more traditional pbs like jif, except for the last 20%. I've found that adding a bit of olive oil fixes it for the last bit.

[sjvw]

I saw these last week and DD LOVED the Anna/Elsa one. She wanted to keep the bag in her lap at the store and she asked for seconds when I made it! I am definitely picking up more for easy dinners when dh and I would rather eat a not-kid-friendly meal together after she's in bed.