Nutrition: Help! My Kids Won’t Eat Meat!

Recently I was talking with a group of friends and the question came up, “How do you MAKE your kids eat meat?”  Being a vegetarian since I was three years old, this really struck a chord with me.  I asked my mother how she felt abut me not eating meat as a child and she simply replied “You were a real pain!”  This is the same response that many moms I have talked to have had about their children, along with concerns about cooking. If your children won’t eat meat, they are missing essential vitamins. However, the good news is that a majority of vitamins, minerals and amino acids found in meats can be found in other foods.

There are many reasons why children won’t eat meat. For some, it may be texture sensitivity and for another it may be the taste. Some may be bothered by Bambi shaped into a patty on their plate or maybe a traumatic experience. For whatever the reason, it can make a difficult situation.

Growing up a vegetarian in the rural Midwest has been difficult and even looked down upon. Many people are simply not exposed to other types of ethnic cooking and many feel that vegetarians will hurt the Midwest economy. As a granddaughter of a beef farmer, I understand these concerns but I also can relate to the children.

The day may come when your child refuses to eat meat or you may have a guest (child or adult) in your home that may prefer a vegetarian diet. So how do you handle the situation?

Don’t make a special meal. If you plan meatloaf, prepare it. Maybe offer a couple side dishes such as potatoes, pasta or vegetables. It may not appeal you but you but your child or guest may love it.

Do watch nutrition. If your child doesn’t eat meat, a peanut butter sandwich, cottage cheese, eggs, tofu, beans, quinoa or nuts can be alternated and still provide adequate protein. Broccoli is a good source of iron. Combining different proteins such as macaroni and cheese can provide a complete protein. Your child may eventually grow out of meat-less eating, but until that point, nutrition should be carefully watched.

To quote my mother: “You don’t like it? Fix it yourself.” Meaning, if you don’t like the meal I prepared for you, prepare your own dinner. This practice is optional. It does teach your child that he/she should respect the time and effort it took to prepare a wonderful meal and that as they grow older, people won’t cook around them. It also teaches your child to prepare a meat-less alternative on their own which will be handy when at a visitors house. Even a preschooler can scoop cottage cheese onto their plate or pull bread and peanut butter out of the cupboard.

Try different foods and recipes. Just because you don’t like it, doesn’t mean your kids won’t. Both of my kids love eggplant and Brussels sprouts. Refried beans are another favorite. You may be surprised at what your kids eat and of all the healthy alternatives.

Keep a positive attitude. Having a child dislike certain foods isn’t fun. Don’t tell your child they are bad or tease them. It may make the situation worse. After 25 years of having eyes rolled, loud sighs, being told I’m difficult, picky and a pain, I assure you it won’t help, but rather discourage your child.

Ask.  Ask your child or guest prior to cooking the meal what they enjoy eating for dinner.

In conclusion, try not to get too discouraged with your child, it may be a phase. At the same time be sure to watch their proper nutrition and educate yourself on meat alternatives. The library or internet are wonderful sources for proper nutrition requirements and recipes for your family.  

Note: Try http://www.mypyrimid.gov/ from the USDA that provides information on nutrition.