Getting picky toddler to eat??

So my son is 5 and he is honestly beyond picky. He eats spaghetti, spaghetti o's, chicken nuggets, pizza, grilled cheese, PB & J sandwiches, corn, peas, corn dogs, hot dogs, french fries, and that's about all. I have to make 2 dinners every night. It drives me crazy! I wish i could get him to eat, but he'll make his self gag til he throws up just from the sight of food he doesn't like. Anyone with ideas on how to encourage him to eat, or at least try new foods!!

My son eats like that too   I wish I had advice. He's only 21 months though.

My son did that at 3years (he's now 4.5 years) we had to go hard with it. He had to try what was given to him or I wouldn't make him anything else. And there were a few times he refused and he'd put himself in bed refusing to eat. It seems harsh, but now he'll eat anything and everything given to him, minus a few things. He no longer treats me like a short order cook. And I can pretty much blame myself for it because I'm the one who gave him "the easy" things that I knew wouldn't be an issue and it created a mac and cheese every day and night monster.

That rule still stands he has to try it and if he doesn't like it I'll make him something else, and generally he likes it.

Given that your son is 5, he's very much old enough to understand rules, rewards, consequence, ect.. to understand he has to try something first.

My 10 year old is picky too, I never make 2 meals I just modify the meal we are having for him. Like if we are having spaghetti, he has just butter parmesan noodles. If it's something that he really really doesn't like and won't even try, he has to make himself a peanut butter sandwich or top ramen but still eat some of the veggies I make.

He has come a long way though since he was younger, he will try new stuff and has found he actually likes it now.

5 isn't a toddler anymore...

And if you don't want to make 2 meals, don't. I sure as hell don't, and when DD's hungry she'll eat what's on her plate. If she wants to just go to bed, I let natural consequences, such as being hungry in bed a bit, happen. She has every opportunity until 9PM to eat her dinner if she wants to fight me about it. She's 15 months.

Quoting K[♥ E&C]:" My son did that at 3years (he's now 4.5 years) we had to go hard with it. He had to try what was given ... [snip!] ... is 5, he's very much old enough to understand rules, rewards, consequence, ect.. to understand he has to try something first."

I will fight with him and he will gag and throw up finally decide to taste it and put it on his tongue Gag and throw up.. Its just such a mess.. Ive sent him to bed without eating once and i felt so guilty and it didnt even phase him..

Quoting Happy to b a mommy of 3:" I will fight with him and he will gag and throw up finally decide to taste it and put it on his tongue ... [snip!] ... throw up.. Its just such a mess.. Ive sent him to bed without eating once and i felt so guilty and it didnt even phase him.. "

It sucks, I know. I've been down that road. But he does that because he knows you wont do anything about it. My son did the same thing. He knew he could get away with it so he kept it up. I was in tears many times that he was going to bed hungry and I was a horrible mother, BUT he will survive and he will be okay. He has to understand he makes his choices and he can choose to eat what's given and go to bed with a happy full belly, or he can throw a fit and go to bed with a hungry tummy.

I'm not going to cater to my kids and make several different meals. I'm not a restaurant and I don't serve bad food to them anyways. They need to try it first.

Let your son throw a fit, let him gag himself and then put the plate in the fridge and he can have it for lunch or dinner the next night. Eventually he will eat it. Start off small obviously, and let him help you make it. I found my son was more willing to try something he helped to make.

Quoting K[♥ E&C]:" It sucks, I know. I've been down that road. But he does that because he knows you wont do anything ... [snip!] ... Start off small obviously, and let him help you make it. I found my son was more willing to try something he helped to make."

See now thats a good idea i deff think i will try lettin him help me cook!
Thanks every1