https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:45:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901986 Sun, 10 Nov 2019 20:09:22 +0000 Pollywog 2901986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds like it could be normal, but you also don't want him to be the 30 year old who eats only 10 foods. </p> <p>If you're on Instagram, I'd follow feedinglittles and kids.eat.in.color. Both give great advice.</p> <p>I was an extremely picky eater (due to an undiagnosed medical issue) and have one picky and one non-picky issue. My advice is to ask his doctor to run blood work to make sure he's not deficient in anything. If he's healthy, start with 5 safe foods and keep introducing new tweaks with zero pressure. So if hummus and bread are safe, I'd serve hummus on toast. Same foods, just differently. Then I'd serve crackers with hummus the next time. Or a veggie platter. It takes time, but my kids both are open to trying new foods by having no pressure and gradual introduction </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901911 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 10:56:25 +0000 lindseykaye 2901911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Linking to my own post from when my DD was 5.5. She’s days away from 7 and things are somewhat better. There are foods she’s rejected that have come back into rotation (yogurt!) and we’ve had a little success in food chaining.<br /> But we still are pretty accommodating compared to a lot of parents and it’s done A LOT to reduce our stress around it all.<br /> I feel like both DH and I had to let go of control so that she would let go of control a bit. The more we push the harder she digs in her heels even still. We still offer, we model healthy, varied eating ourselves, and we don’t tolerate her criticizing other foods (“don’t yuck my yum”).<br /> But yeah - she’s still really picky and we’re more or less ok with it 🤷🏼‍♀️<br /> <a href="https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/older-pickyrestrictive-eater-55yr" rel="nofollow">https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/older-pickyrestrictive-eater-55yr</a></p> <p>ETA: I used to get upset about wasting food and it led to me stopping the offering - but I shifted my mindset some to thinking that offering it had value just like her eating it. Not perfect but it helped. And this is how some things have come back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901908 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 10:18:46 +0000 Mama Bird 2901908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That does sound a little too picky to just wait it out, and maybe professional help is a good idea. But on the other hand... first, in my experience school lunch is very different from eating at home. My kid would routinely bring home anything I tried, even food he supposedly likes. He had no time to eat it. He didn't like it any more. It "exploded" and got all mushy. It overheated and the cheese melted on everything. Something was wrong every day. So, very frustratingly, he was hungry a lot. All I could do was make sure he ate breakfast (at school) and a healthy dinner.</p> <p>Second, does your LO have any loose teeth by any chance? My son started losing baby teeth early, around 5 and a half. His eating was horrible while they were loose, for a couple of weeks he ate only soft foods and apples (he thought the apples may help them come out), and even the soft foods were eaten with tons of complaining. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901903 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 07:32:27 +0000 SweetiePie 2901903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Baby Boy Mom: your blunt truth is spot on and it’s what I’ve found as well. We are in charge and if we keep saying “ok fine” to everything they say they won’t eat, they won’t eat anything. And yes yes yes to holding out for something else. If they know there’s an alternative later, it’s easy to refuse.<br /> And same with the lunch. If there’s a significant amount of leftover lunch, and he says he’s hungry after school and wants a snack, guess what he gets? The carrots he didn’t eat, the sunbutter and jelly he didn’t touch, etc. I use common sense re: safety of the food and won’t have him eat scraps. But I won’t throw away a whole baggy of carrots. Which he loves but sometimes still won’t eat at lunch. </p> <p>I do think that in general 5 is where they assert their independence and realize they might have a say in what they get. I hear a lot of parents saying “he used to love X but now won’t touch it”. So that part is I think pretty normal. My 5yo has refused a lot of things for really stupid reasons. And I just tell him that’s ridiculous 🤷🏻‍♀️ And pick my battles. If it’s something that isn’t going to make my life harder then fine. Like some kind of a carby snack. But if it’s a key food we use, like a protein or veg or healthy snack option, I fight for it. Keep offering and that’s when I’ll say “if you don’t eat it you won’t get anything later”. Say you’re hungry later and that’s what I’m offering again. And so on. ONLY for items I know he likes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901892 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 21:45:20 +0000 nana87 2901892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Commiseration right here! Lo1 is 5.5 and impossible. She arbitrarily decides she hates something and then is furious that we don’t have something that she wants to eat 😫 I’m fairly certain it’s a control issue that’s a developmental phase. She’s increasingly independent, going through huge transitions w kindergarten, but still a very small person who is dependent on grown ups and not able to control much. She’s like this about her clothes too </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901872 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 19:30:32 +0000 Chuckles 2901872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mommy Finger: yes! My DH was very picky as a kid and there were lots of hours-long battles over food when he was growing up. It's something he wants to avoid with our kids. And, besides cooked veggies :bummed: , he eats a wide variety of foods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901869 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 18:26:40 +0000 jhd 2901869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Full disclosure: My 5yo DS has been in feeding therapy since February for extreme anxiety about putting anything new in his mouth. </p> <p>The transition to eating in the cafeteria at school hasn't been easy. I send really easy snacky style lunches bento style. I got some food picks on Amazon and I stick them in fruits, veggies, and cheese. I send small portions like two strawberries, 3 baby carrots, etc. We had a few weeks where he ate next to nothing.</p> <p>Here are some things we are doing at home that have opened up great conversations about food:</p> <p>Reading books about food. We found all of these at our local library and then found more. Pinkalicious was a huge help in talking about how we need to eat a variety. We skipped the part about veggies being yucky. <a href="https://www.mommyshorts.com/2017/11/12-books-picky-eaters.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.mommyshorts.com/2017/11/12-books-picky-eaters.html</a></p> <p>Letting him help cook things, even if he doesn't eat them. We've made mini pizzas several times and this week he finally tried some pepperoni and one bite of pizza. He loves to make us scrambled eggs even though he hasn't tried them yet! ;)</p> <p>I've also been following some great accounts on Instagram. My two faves are @kids.eat.in.color and @veggiesandvirtue. DS loves to talk about what the various different colors of foods do for our bodies and a post by @kids.eat.in.color sparked this conversation.</p> <p>I don't know if any of this applies, but just wanted to share! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901865 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 17:47:54 +0000 Mommy Finger 2901865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 4 yo is exactly the same way. His doctor doesn't seem concerned about it as he's still growing like he should. I'm super nervous for next year when I have to pack his lunch for kindergarten. I've gotten lucky with 1 really good eater so I'm not sure how to navigate my super picky one. But then I remember that I was super picky growing up and was made to sit at the table every night until I finished my dinner. There were a lot of tears and I vowed never to do that. I am actually a super adventurous eater now as I taught myself how to cook at an early age so that dinner was something that I would eat. I wish everyone luck on this!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901862 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 17:28:58 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2901862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Having dealt with a picky eater, that is still picky at 8 (and two younger sibling that are less picky) I can share lessons learned.<br /> First off, yes 5 is an age I noticed a lot of pickiness. But here's the thing- kids won't let themselves starve! My picky guy would regularly almost skip meals because he knew there was always another meal. Lots of times that meant skipping dinner because he knew in the morning he would get something carby he liked.<br /> Now here comes the blunt truth- you as the adult decide what the options are. If he says no carrots and you give him something else, he's learning that that's ok. But if you serve the same meal over and over again in the course of the day, eventually he will be hungry and he will eat! (Ask me how I know :silly: ).<br /> This is somewhat a battle of wills, but also for me it was eye-opening. Because the human body is amazing, we are able to survive even when not optimally fed (I'm looking at you bagels).<br /> So what I do is really focus on nutrients. I pack a variety of things every day, and I have zero guilt about taking away the empty carbs and processed foods.<br /> I could probably write a book of tips, like offering things with dips; having family dinners; serving variety and so on. But the thing that really really worked the best was cutting out all junk for a period of time. Carbs in the meal were for example butternut squash and carrots, along with protein and fat. In a relatively short amount of time, we sort of reset his palate and he started eating much more variety. And yes we have been able to add the pasta back in.<br /> As for throwing away lunch food, I feel you. I really do. If there's too much lunch leftover, it will show up on the dinner plate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901859 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 16:29:44 +0000 caitcat 2901859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice, but lots of commiseration! My almost five year old is a lot like this and it's so hard when she turns on foods she once ate...especially since those are few and far between in the first place. I'm looking forward to reading the food jag article you shared more thoroughly later on. I got about halfway through just now and was nodding along the whole time. It sounds so much like my daughter! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901857 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 14:29:32 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2901857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Literally reading this whole thing is almost word for word what I said about my 5yo to DW the other day. We had pickiness from 18 months-2.5 and then good, then last year at the end of JK he started not wanting any granola bars or bear paws in his lunch. Ok fine. Then he wouldn’t eat cheese, then applesauce, then mini bagels and on and on to this year. Mac and cheese and spaghetti used to be faves, now hit and miss. Same thing with grapes, berries, etc. After like 3/5 days last week where he didn’t eat ANYTHING in his lunch, I let him pick every item the next. Still didn’t eat. I bought different cheese, different meat, sun butter, you name it. He will eat tacos and that’s about all reliably.</p> <p>We bought a book about bodies and how food is our fuel but that didn’t really work. We talk about eating and how he is cranky after school and that is why because he doesn’t make the connection obviously. The only thing that helps at dinner is if I ‘make him a bite’: I make a big deal about putting extra yummy food on his fork for him to eat and he will eat it...then he wants me to make him a bite for every bite which is tedious as hell so I only sometimes indulge him. He is allowed a piece of peanut butter toast as an alternate, but he has to try bites of everything. He says he doesn’t want to eat whatever it is like 90% of the time the second he sits down.</p> <p>So all that to say is I never considered it a problem requiring help, so I’m hoping it’s a phase. Solidarity to you though as it’s driving me nuuuuuts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901855 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 13:30:12 +0000 JennyPenny 2901855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: it does help! I feel like all the advice saying kids will grow out of it suggest that it should have happened by now and so seeing it get worse makes me anxious. So having examples of it happening later make me feel better. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901852 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 13:04:59 +0000 bhbee 2901852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: my almost 5yo is like this. I also hate the food waste and he’s been skipping enough meals to start looking thinner but he’s healthy overall so I’m trying to let it go. Kinder was an awful year for my oldest’s eating and it’s improved so much since (she’s in 2nd now). I thought she would need intervention but time took care of it if that gives you hope! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901850 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 12:46:35 +0000 JennyPenny 2901850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: Unfortunately, no - so far he hasn't added any new foods to his repertoire. And nothing that has gone on the bad list has ever come back in favor :(</p> <p>@pinkb: Carrots and hummus were his only veggies...so now we're down to just hummus I guess...</p> <p>I just saw this article and this is my son 100% <a href="https://yourkidstable.com/food-jags/" rel="nofollow">https://yourkidstable.com/food-jags/</a> especially this line: "It’s a little alarming that they’re seemingly okay with skipping another meal simply because the chicken nuggets were a different brand, weren’t crispy enough, or had a teeny, tiny dark spot on them." DS will only eat chicken nuggets from Wendy's - not frozen, not from any restaurant. His hate of grapes came after he discovered that they all have a teeny hole on them where the stem was attached. His hate of yogurt came after he had some strawberry yogurt that had bits of fruit in it and now he won't eat any! At least this gives me a better description of his picky eating to either google or talk to a therapist about. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901848 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 12:05:28 +0000 pinkb 2901848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My almost 5 yr old DS is a very picky eater ( same as you good eater as a toddler but grew to be picky) and it has gotten worse. I think its pretty normal and at his last check up Dr. said to keep offering. He will go months with saying no to a previously loved food and then all the sudden eat it again once or twice. I totally understand how frustrating it is and I have no advise. I am amazed your child even ate carrots! DS eats no vegies. Avocado was loved and is now hated. Danimals monkey yogurt things he loved all of them then started to notice the flavors. We are down to watermelon he will drink and sometimes strawberry. He only eats apples and green grapes as fruit. Bananas are now out. He did lick a piece of watermelon last night, which felt like a win since he has refused to eat it since he was 2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901846 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 11:59:17 +0000 Chuckles 2901846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is he replacing them with other foods he will eat? I think almost all kids do this to some extent. My son isn't a crazy picky eater but he's not willing to eat *many* foods and was also a much more adventurous eater when he was 2. And fairly frequently something he insists I buy or used to like will suddenly be a no-go for any random reason. But he generally will find something else he's wiling to eat instead, so I'm just going with it for now. For example, I *know* he used to eat clementines, so of course I bought one of those big bags and now he says they're gross. But he's back to eating bananas again, so fine. Or he recently asked for the big bag of pirates booty from Costco and now won't eat it. I'm annoyed about the cost and food waste but less concerned about what he's actually eating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5yo-hates-previously-loved-foods#post-2901844 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 11:43:00 +0000 JennyPenny 2901844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm starting to wonder if my son's picky eating has reached the point that we need to seek professional help. I'm interested in other ladies' opinions, advice, commiseration. </p> <p>DS1 used to be a great eater up until some point in his 2s. He increasingly got more and more picky but my reading suggested this was totally normal for this age. We followed all the advice for encouraging healthy eating habits. We don't force him to eat, or bribe him. He's able to eat as much or as little as he wants. We've been doing this for a while and his growth has stayed on the curve so while he doesn't eat much a lot of the time, he's still growing. </p> <p>However, his picky eating keeps getting worse. And more and more previously loved foods are now on the no-go list. The most recent include yogurt, grapes, and baby carrots. I think it's driving me nuts in particular because I am responsible for packing his lunch and snacks now that he's in Kindergarten, whereas school provided his lunch at daycare/preschool. So now I feel like I'm buying things specifically for him to have at lunch and it's just getting thrown away. It didn't bother me much when daycare would say "he only ate a single baby carrot at lunch today" but it does bother me that he says "oh that yogurt I loved and you bought a 10 pack of...no, I won't eat that anymore"</p> <p>So I guess my question is - is this an extreme picky eating that needs some professional help? Or is this more of a 'me' issue that's arising because of school lunches and I need to just let it go? Maybe it's a control issue on his part? </p>