My already picky 2.5 yr old has now decided she would prefer to live off goldfish, yogurt and apple juice/water. She has been refusing the other foods she normally eats (which was a short list). Has anyone else dealt with this? I hope this phase passes soon!

My five year old is picky but not nearly as bad. She is starting to try more and more things, too.

I have a friend who has been buying herself certain healthy foods so she can lose weight. She tells the kids, this is moms stuff don't touch it. Well, afer a few days, they have been begging to try her stuff. But her youngest is 4, so I don't know if that reverse phycology will help you.
That is a very limited list you have there. I geuss if it was me, I would not buy goldfish, apple juice and yogurt for awhile. Just say, sorry we are all out, what else would you like? She won't starve, she will eventually have to eat something else. Also think of things that you don't usually buy, or she has never been offered. Maybe blueberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, kiwi, green peppers, Try something new every couple days, or once a week.
It will probably pass. If nothing works, buy some Carnation instant breakfast drink, or pedisure for the extra vitamins. Sooner or later she will eat something else.

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I think your suggestions are wonderful. Thank you for replying. However, my child is so stubborn. She says 'No thanks' or 'No want it' when I offer her food that we are eating. I took her bottle away a month ago and she STILL will not drink milk from a cup. There is no way she will drink pedisure.

She had sensitive gag reflex until she was almost 20 months. She could only eat foods that were textured like gerber stars, cheerios, etc. She would try to eat different foods but it would result in vomiting. I say that because this is what got her off on such a bad nutritional start.

In my opinion, why fight her or try to force her to eat other foods? I think that'll just cause more food issues and more battles at food time. Continue to offer her other foods at meals but if that's all she'll eat, let her eat them. My kids have all gone through phases like those and they are are healthy and now eat balanced, healthy meals every day. Except for my 2 1/2 year old who eats mainly hot dogs, bologna & cheese sandwiches, cheese doodles and popcorn. My oldest DD went through a phase where she ate only cheese doodles. So I wouldn't worry about your DD. Just keep offering the foods you're eating and eventually she'll start eating a wider variety again.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I know I'm not the only one with a picky eater.

What are cheese doodles?

battling over food only makes matters worse. Continue to offer choices, but let her eat what she wants. Somehow my boys continue to grow and thrive.

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~Happiness is a large family~

Thanks happymom, your advice always helps.

I don't know how but she is still off the charts for growth.

Cheese puffs is another name. It's a junk food. Cheetos is one of the most popular brands. Ringing any bells?

I thought maybe it was cheese puffs. I'm not casting any stones. Right now I'm hopeful for calories and not able to be choosey.

Can you involve her with the meal prep? I know during the picky stages with my daughter she was more apt to eat something when she "helped" with cooking it.