As a parent, I know that my child needs fruits, veggies, dairy, carbs, and protein in her diet. But, is it really worth the fight? I don't think so.
My daughter is 18 months old. How can you really MAKE an 18 month old eat anything that she doesn't want to? My husband and I will give her her protein and her fruits and veggies, but I'm not about to make her eat anything! Sometimes she'll decided nothing on her plate looks good, but what daddy's eating looks AMAZING, so she'll eat his dinner.
A few weeks ago, my family went to the Q-Shack for dinner. My daughter had her turkey, and whatever else was on her plate. She decided the fries were where it was at! The good thing about not fighting with her is that usually (not always) she'll also check out the other foods on her plate...she just doesn't start there. At the table next to us there was another child about my daughter's age. All he wanted were his hush puppies. His mom kept trying to take it from him and make him eat his turkey. This resulted in a lovely screaming fit and the child didn't eat anything. Of course, as this child continues to scream the mom told him people were looking at him and that he was making a scene and needed to stop. Did she expect her 18 month old to understand that?
Don't get me wrong, I'd much rather my child have a balanced meal than a mean of potatoes...but I'd also rather my child eat than go hungry. My husband and I give her what she needs to eat, then it's up to her. Yes, we try to get her to eat the other foods, but if she spits it out or throws it, what good is that for anyone? Some days my daughter will decide that all she wants for dinner are her green beans! Today, she took 3 bites of her grilled cheese then decided that the strawberries are the way to go.
The way I see it, when she gets older I can tell her if you don't eat A, B and C then you don't get dessert. But for now, I'll let her pick and choose. She's happy, she's healthy, I love her! Isn't that what truly matters?
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