https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 03:30:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1207056 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 14:34:16 +0000 skipra 1207056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: DS is also tiny (18lbs at 14mo) and probably one of the fussiest eaters ever. He refuses to eat any meat at all. He LOVES yogurt so we makes sure he gets that everyday, plus he is starting to drink cow's milk. They both have a good amount of protein. He is also crazy about hummus and will sometimes eat black beans. He loves grilled cheese with hummus spread on it cut into bite size pieces. He'll sometimes eat homemade veggie burgers (made with sweet potato and black beans). I've also made muffins and put cooked lentils in them and he gobbled them up. Only problem with the beans and lentils is that I have to give them to him for lunch only or they make him too gassy while he is trying to sleep at night. We also give him sunflower seed butter. I think that is less allergenic than other nut butters. He's not as crazy about it but will eat it spread thinly on graham crackers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1207041 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 14:23:47 +0000 MsLipGloss 1207041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: I do that with new foods, and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't (she is perfectly content to let me eat her green beans, for example!) . . . I am still struggling with (whole) fruits/veggies too, but protein is by far my bigger concern (since she can still get some nutrition out of purees). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1207035 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 14:20:06 +0000 travelgirl1 1207035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO isn't picky but her favourite proteins by far are ribs and chicken on the bone.... She's not even half as interested in it without the bone to hold onto and suck on after. It also makes a difference if she sees me eating it too. I know you don't have time to cook your dinner before she goes down but maybe she might like seeing you eat a bit of hers? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1207023 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 14:11:21 +0000 brownie 1207023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try sunflower seed butter. More calories than peanut butter I love it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1207006 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 13:56:11 +0000 MsLipGloss 1207006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You guys are awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206999 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 13:52:18 +0000 lemondrop 1206999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cottage cheese has been our biggest success when C is picky. Also sting cheese and anything turkey. When we need it, bbq sauce and ketchup is our crutch, mostly for veggies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206979 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 13:37:11 +0000 immabeetoo 1206979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: Sorry, one more popped into my head as I was in the pantry- quinoa! You can use applesauce and cinnamon to make a breakfast cereal, or use it anywhere you'd use rice. I know you work a lot of hours; maybe making batches of muffin tin meatloaf, chicken pot pies, quinoa stirfry so you can just freeze/thaw out each night? I do hummus in ice cube trays with frozen buns too. Flaxseed can be a good egg replacement if you're frustrated looking at recipes that call for egg. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206918 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 12:41:39 +0000 MsLipGloss 1206918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all so much for your ideas . . . I have been feeling pretty frustrated--and like a complete mom failure--for not being more creative (and skilled) in the kitchen! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206917 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 12:40:49 +0000 MsLipGloss 1206917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I know she has tried ground beef at school, but I haven't tried it at home . . . meatloaf sounds like a good option! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206916 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 12:40:07 +0000 sandy 1206916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: like your LO my baby girl only ate chicken as her source of protein for several months. From 6 months to 11 months she pretty much only are chicken and eggs for her protein...she didn't like fish or beef or pork. Then I tried giving her a bite of these giant prawns that I broil with garlic, butter and parsley and she loved it. She can easily eat 4-5 prawns cut up in little pieces. She also loves crab and lobster. At almost 24 months she still prefers chicken, shrimp and crab to all other meat. As she got older I also started giving her hot dogs (applegate makes organic ones without nitrates) as she got older too. At almost 24 months she is starting to like smal pieces of red meat but it's still not her favorite - she'll eat bulgogi (Korean marinated thin sliced rib eye) or tiny bits of hamburger </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206911 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 12:31:22 +0000 bushelandapeck 1206911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We feed Loo what we are eating and give him leftovers the next day for lunch or dinner. He will pretty much eat anything but we don't shy away from spices unless they are too hot/strong. He likes peanut butter, hummus, ham, cheese, beans and ground chicken the best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206908 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 12:29:46 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1206908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about ground beef? My LO loved it at that age especially as tacos (something you could season yourself) and as meatloaf. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206903 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 12:28:20 +0000 Thenetexan 1206903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Greek yogurt smoothies; greek<br /> yogurt, banana, + mango, strawberry, papaya, or a combo. Blend in blender and serve in a straw cup. Also, jus plain cottage cheese. For whatever reason LO did not want his spaghetti and meatballs last night, so he ate an insane amount of cottage cheese instead. Hummus is also a big hit with a lot of kids. Don't be afraid of salt free spices or just use garlic in some ground meats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206880 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 12:12:45 +0000 immabeetoo 1206880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: Yep, LO isn't picky, with that disclaimer, but seems to prefer beans to meat. He loves hummus on bread, beans and rice, bean tacos. These refried beans are really easy and we both liked them: <a href="http://www.kitchentreaty.com/easy-vegetarian-crock-pot-refried-beans-without-lard/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kitchentreaty.com/easy-vegetarian-crock-pot-refried-beans-without-lard/</a></p> <p>I am not sure what you mean by seasoning; we don't use Mrs Dash or anything like that, but lots of marinades (like lime juice + red pepper + olive oil) that LO seems to like as much as we do. Curry sauce. Peanut sauce (though I know you said you haven't done nut butters). BBQ sauce. </p> <p>Greek yogurt also has a lot of protein? I made ranch dressing seasoning and mix that in for dipping. So does cottage cheese; I know I've seen cottage cheese pancakes (though I haven't tried making them yet). Bean pancakes are possible too, or bean muffins.</p> <p>My LO's favorite way to eat meat is in soup. He GOBBLED beef barley soup like nothing else, ever. Those are usually easy crockpot recipes so it could just be ready when you came home from work? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206869 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 12:03:24 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1206869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Last night we made a vegan pumpkin pie and the main ingredient was tofu. I didn't love it, but the girls went crazy for it. It was just pumpkin, tofu and seasoning basically. Tons of protein and the girls thought it was a huge treat since we don't do a ton of desserts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206862 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:47:43 +0000 sunny 1206862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: we typically have to reheat her food halfway through a meal! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206855 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:42:34 +0000 MsLipGloss 1206855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bunnylovesbear: I don't eat with my LO . . . she eats between 5 and 5:30 (her bedtime is 6-6:30), and I usually eat dinner after she is down for the night. I don't have time to make a full dinner before she goes down . . . if I did, I would not have any time to play with her at all during the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206853 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:40:48 +0000 MsLipGloss 1206853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: I try to keep everything bite-sized, although she doesn't always want the smaller pieces (she will eat a whole waffle much easier than she will a half waffle *shrug*). With regard to temperature, she is such a slow eater I don't know how I could possibly make sure her food stayed warm. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206851 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:39:33 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1206851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD loves chicken in bone, so the drumstick part of the wing for instance, or the drumstick itself without the little cartridge/hard parts, but with the skin on. She's so picky and does not eat enough normally - she needs all the calories she can get.</p> <p>She's allergic to eggs, but I look forward to the day she can have it. As for breading, she's allergic, so the only breading she can have is if I bread something myself with gluten free flour -- which hardly ever happens. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206848 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:38:35 +0000 sunny 1206848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you heard of sunflower seed butter? Our pedi recommended that as a peanut butter alternative since she wanted us to hold off on introducing tree nuts until 2. Our LO loves ssb sandwiches. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206846 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:36:07 +0000 bunnylovesbear 1206846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We typically feed our son (15 months) exactly what we are eating for dinner. The only food we haven't introduced to him is shellfish. If you don't have a history of allergies in your family, I'd say it's safe to start experimenting with food! There's really no need to cook separate meals for your LO.</p> <p>Oh, and if you add cheese to it, they will eat it! Lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206844 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:34:54 +0000 sunny 1206844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think my 14 month old is as picky as yours but it does take a bit of coaxing to get her to eat anything other than carbs. We have given her pan fried cod and salmon, fried egg, roast chicken and steak. Could it be the shape/delivery of the protein rather than the taste? I know my LO is extremely picky in regards to temperature. If her hot food gets cold she won't eat it. Also if it's not cut up into the right size where she can grab it, she also won't eat it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206841 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:30:52 +0000 MsLipGloss 1206841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am really nervous about seasoning too . . . what do y'all use to season your meats? I try to avoid too much salt, but at this point, I am more worried about the lack of protein than I am the salt. *augh* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206840 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:29:56 +0000 MsLipGloss 1206840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: I think she ate a black bean or two once (off my plate at a restaurant), maybe I should try those again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206839 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:28:42 +0000 MsLipGloss 1206839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And we haven't tried any nut butters yet . . . I am so nervous about it! </p> <p>But she is just so petite, and she has been sick lately and not eating well, so I worry about her weight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206838 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:26:16 +0000 MsLipGloss 1206838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: I should have mentioned that we avoid eggs due to a skin reaction she had with scrambled eggs a few months ago. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206837 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:25:59 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1206837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 2yo loves cheese omelets, maybe because I let him sprinkle the cheese in the pan so he feels involved. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206833 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:22:25 +0000 regberadaisy 1206833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Meats are a hit or miss with her too depending on execution. She loves meatballs, pork tenderloin, any kind of fish. She loves fish the most and has probably 8-9 different varieties. Her favorite is when I steam a whole white bass, Chinese style. The other night she almost ate the whole fish herself! </p> <p>She also loves shrimp and beans! I also make steamed eggs with dehydrated shrimp or mini scallops, add in peas or spinach minced.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206831 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:19:42 +0000 MamaMoose 1206831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The other night our cabinets were looking pretty bare and I didn't have any great options for m. I ended up cooking up some ground beef and mixing it with rice and tomato sauce... She went NUTS for it. Like, trying to launch herself out of her chair towards me so I would shovel it in her mouth faster!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/good-protein-sources-for-picky-toddlers#post-1206828 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:17:23 +0000 pinkcupcake 1206828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>L is pretty much a vegetarian most days, too -.- It's such a fight getting her to eat any protein.</p> <p>Eggs are a hit or miss for her... mostly miss. Sometimes she'll eat little cubes of tofu - she loves rice so I make tofu soup and mix it with rice. </p> <p>She likes to dip stuff, so I make my own breaded fish or chicken strips, and let her dip it into various sauces. What else... I'm not sure if you've introduced any nut butters to her yet, but L will eat sunflower butter spread on crackers. I think there's a good amount of protein in that. Mostly, though, I cut up chicken or beef into tiny pieces and mix it with rice since she loves rice so much. </p>