Pantry Chat ~ Kids and Food ~ Dealing with Picky Eaters

[@jambalee4059]

I can't love this enough! My daughter was born with a cleft palate and was kind of expected by healthcare professionals to not thrive. They were always SO concerned if she was eating enough. I knew she was, but they weren't convinced because she was so tiny in general. They wanted me to put butter in everything she ate and try to push her to take a few more bites, I was young and trusted them, but she ended up getting sick one night and I felt (and still do) so awful. She has energy, she ate when she was hungry (and good balanced diet too), she got lots of exercise but because she was just a tinier child they thought she wasn't. I followed my heart and fed her more appropriately and just always kept in mind how her health was doing. She is now nearing 19 years, 5'7", 120lbs graduated, very bright, attending discipleship program in the fall. She is amazing and I love her.

[@kmwheeler6]

Thank you so much for this!! I was recommended to you by Sarah from Living Traditions Homestead. I know this was the Lord who suggested this particular video! I couldn’t figure out how to anchor life with my 5 kids and the lightbulb literally just turned on. I was trying to figure it all out, becoming overwhelmed with the magnitude of the changes that needed to take place. Now it’s clear what I need to do. Set mealtimes and refuse snacks. It sounds so simple and yet I know that will anchor our days and provide a rhythm that hasn’t been here. Thank you thank you!

[@WellaWally65]

I think that this has been one of the most beautiful videos I’ve seen on KZbin. So true! Everything you say is so true! You are a wonderful mother! I wish my daughter, and my daughter in law would sit down and listen to you. Thank you! May Adonai bless you!

[@thehallway8025]

Yes!!! Start young. So many of my extended family will ask me how in the world I get my 7 children to eat fruits and vegetables. They love it and don't know the difference. Maybe if I never introduced them to vegetables early then they might not like them but we all enjoy food. And we all enjoy good healthy food 🙂 God bless you and your family!

[@paigesmith707]

I'm so glad you decided to make a KZbin channel. I'm loving your videos so far!

[@juliequates9529]

I so value your videos. Thank you. I just wanted to say that you do such a great job of speaking thoughtfully and making your points clear while being conversational. You have a gift for teaching! Great tips here for the kiddos. I like to say... you may respectfully decline the meal, don't worry we'll eat again tomorrow. 😆

[@WellaWally65]

I think that this has been one of the best video’s I’ve seen on KZbin. You are a wonderful Mother! True! Everything you say is absolutely true. I wish my daughter and my daughter in law would sit down and listen to you! Thank you! May Adonai bless you!

[@CarinaPiersay]

I’m old and my son is grown but I’m really enjoying your views on feeding your children. You have such a great attitude about how to encourage them. They are getting such a well-rounded education on life 👍🏼

[@MaryBornforHealth]

Jessica, this was one of the best videos on helping children be involved in their food choices. Food is our Medicine and so many people have no clue on how to support their bodies with nutrition. I will definately be sharing this with clients and friends.

[@thehallway8025]

I did the same! We were a lot strict with my oldest 3. Sorry I keep commenting 😁 I just love your videos and your family 😊

[@lynsmith2698]

great video. We live way off the beaten path and we only grocery shop once every one or two months. I freeze milk and cheese, my cold room is full of canning and our freezers full of meat and vegi. Once in a while i will miss fresh salad greens but on the whole we are happy not going to town often. I am lovin your channel, even though i have no kids and i am retired now. But i still enjoy learning new things and watching how people are doing things. Great job.

[@jensmith5677]

My husband and I have always been adventurous with our food...and so are our children and they always have been!! Its true that hungry kids will eat, and our modeling is what has the largest impact on their food habits. Thank you for sharing!! Love from PA!!!😘

[@suburbanfarms]

Hi, I'm a mom of 4 under 5. We've been transitioning into an urban homestead lifestyle here in Portland, Or. We raise most of our own meats, a little bit of veggies, fruits and herbs. I just learned about Azure, that's a cool way to shop. Now it's time to learn about milling our own flours. I'm ranting, but I just wanted to say thank you for your videos. Going away from the norm feels a little isolating and it's just nice to have someone to listen to that's living the food life I want for my family. But if anyone is reading this and wants to give me tips or book suggestions anything about grinding or milling, I know nothing as of yet.

[@rezaghoroby7753]

Very big thanks for the two little boys and very big thanks to all children which you are listen to your mother and working together very good and amazing , and very big thanks to Jessica as a very good example and hard working mother .

[@tracykaeding3920]

Wow, I wish I had you as my role model when I had my kids, what you speak about makes so much sense

[@melissamontoya8190]

Just love ur children they r so awesome and loving, patient with each other ❤️❤️

[@nickysinclair8436]

Your food always looks nice. I just finished watching you go through your challenge and what you cook is amazing 🤩

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

Great video, Jessica! Love your wisdom.

[@amberwhiteman2013]

Thank you so much! You have given me several options that I'm going to put into place with my children!

[@joanrichter4718]

Oh my goodness, Jessica. This is such a great video. I am a grandma now, but still pertains… Screens/iPhone/tablets Can be so detrimental. The playtime, climbing trees etc. so important

[@shantalsheldon1827]

Loved this video. I have twin 2.5 year olds and it is a challenge. I love the idea of not forcing them to eat and allowing them some options to pick out. Also, not snacking. 😁

[@Handlesarestupid702]

Great video! I think many parents expect a lot from their children when they taught them to like fast food from the beginning.

[@bengali481]

The three bite rule per Amy Dacyzn in The Tightwad Gazette.

[@carlahabeck4051]

Such wise parenting!

[@Usapyon_0719]

such a WONDERFUL video, very informative and extremely helpful!!!!! thank you thank you , also some needed conviction for me how to do things better, so thank you. Our bodies are the temple of The Holy Spirit, it would help us all to re think how we eat and what we eat as in all we say and do is an act of worship to Our Lord.. :)

[@thehallway8025]

Absolutely active kids get hungry and they sleep better also ☺️

[@countrymousesfarmhouse497]

Thank you. Yes, hungry children will eat. Our kids work alongside us, we grow some of our food and they cook it, they enjoy a wide range of foods. My youngest most likely has crohn's, can you share more about what you eat or are you eating the same as you serve? She's very restricted atm and also she's keen to toilet train which is proving very difficult with flare ups which we have down to every week or two now, compared with every second day last year. Thanks for sharing xxoo

[@threerivershomestead]

I eat a modified version of GAPS. Kind of like a Paleo diet. I avoid most grains, sugar, soy, and processed foods.

[@countrymousesfarmhouse497]

@@threerivershomestead yes, gaps didn't agree with her so now her diet is best described as AIP with low fodmap. Thank you for replyingxxoo

[@samanthalabreck5837]

Thank you SO much for this video. It def got me thinking about our meal times and how I need to involve my daughter more with her portion sizes. All the info was so helpful and I truly appreciate it. I have been binge watching your videos and you are truly inspiring me to makes some changes here on the homestead. Thank you and Gos bless you all 🙏🏻❤️

[@1214rdc]

Loving your videos. Lots of wisdom. I have 5 children 13 down to 7 yr old twins.

[@raynonabohrer5624]

One no TV! THAT Help you. You do a great job . God bless you family.

[@venuscruz6075]

I can relate, I have the same allergies as your oldest son. I don't eat in restaurants either. I break out in hives really bad. I so relate to your family. I eat whole plant based, no meats, no oil

[@hermonorossco7988]

I struggle with a child who has food and texture aversions, dairy allergies, and cyclic vomiting and reflux. It’s rough. People like to say hungry children will eat whatever you put in Front of them, but she can go days without eating. She has no problem starving herself. But it’s ok because we are fortunate that we have access to so many options.

[@JustBethTrying]

Yes! Kids with sensory issues are a whole different ballgame when it comes to to eating challenges. It is so sad to see a child get sick from the sight, smell or even the thought of certain foods.Occupational Therapists are a great resource for families helping a child with feeding struggles.

[@chelinfusco6403]

@@JustBethTrying You are correct. I have a daughter with autism and occupational therapy does work. She is now 30 years old and has ulcerative colitis. She has been suffering from this since she was 13 years old. Needless to say when it comes to eating this has caused regression.

[@joshandhannahmaciejewski153]

I’m loving your videos! 😊

[@polmateertribe4858]

Love this! Completely agree with you!

[@lisakaye2110]

I'm allergic to fish and shellfish. Sadly, my younger two and my husband LOVE it. So, once a month, he takes the two girls on a daddy/daughter's date and they have seafood! I'm not so allergic that they can't be around it. Our oldest(son), is also allergic. He and I make pizza on that night. This way we best a mom/son dinner date and the girls get a dinner date with dad. Works out great!! I'm sorry this turned out so long, but your story of making the older kids eat reminds me of something that happened when I was a child. We were not close to my dad's side of the family (alcoholism), but my dad would continue to try to be in their lives until this particular day. We were eating dinner at my grandparents home. The alcoholic was grandpa. But, anyway, my little brother was about 2. He was born with crooked legs and many mental and physical birth defects. He was not a good eater. As we were at the table, my mom skipped over alot of the food for my brother, knowing he couldn't or wouldn't eat it. My grandpa added food to my brothers plate. My mom told him that he couldn't have that. As we were eating, my brother gagged on some large piece of meat, my grandpa, reached out and slapped him and knocked him out of his chair!! Believe me, it was complete chaos from there! I, as the oldest, took my siblings into the car. I'm not sure exactly what happened, I do know the police were involved, I had to give a statement! We never saw them again!

[@thehallway8025]

Everyone always says I bearly give my kids any food. But they eat and get full. If someone else makes my child plate ( my dad did) he says my kids waste too much. When really he overfilled their plate.😕

[@sheilabus5475]

How would you rule out allergies when it seems like pickiness?

[@hollymcfalls1557]

Love your videos!

[@donnafry5728]

Thank you

[@ilzitek2419]

Thank you.

[@chouavang2765]

Great tips

[@bettylongshore9594]

Super tips!!!!!!!

[@anacreativeplaysuport]

Nice family channel! Thanks for sharing! Full view, liked & subscribed to your channel. Love your channel. New friend here as well! Stay safe and stay connected.

[@messybeautifulmotherhood645]

This was SO helpful! My third child taught me that just being hungry enough will NOT ensure that they eat. 😔 She was really picky when she was about 6 and would literally only eat Ramen noodles, Mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, or hot dogs! (I know, I know!) I started telling her that if she wouldn't eat what we were eating, I wasn't making her anything else. A week and a half of her refusing meals, and she started feeling sick. Then she caught a BAD stomach bug and COULDN'T eat for about another week. She wound up SO incredibly sick and actually malnourished that when we got her to the doctor, they said if we had waited much longer to bring her in, she would've been admitted to the hospital immediately. I felt AWFUL. We wound up going back to letting her eat what she wanted and it took about a year, but now she's our BEST eater and willing to try almost anything! But now my youngest is 3 and she is BY FAR the pickiest and I'm really struggling with her. I'm sure the above situation and my fear of that happening again plays a part in my letting her get her way... 😔 but for example, she LOVES noodles, but lately it's "I DON'T LIKE NOODLES!" (Replace noodles with just about EVERYTHING I serve that she likes). I just don't get it!!! She used to love tomatoes and green beans, corn, potatoes, beans and rice.. etc now she won't TOUCH any of those things, or just about anything else!! It's so frustrating cuz we never know what she's going to be willing to eat!! I'm going to try implementing some of your suggestions. Thank you so much for making this video! You've given this mama hope!

[@momof2momof2]

Generally its a tablespoon of food for each year of age for 5 and under :)

[@carolynmoody9460]

Blessings ❤️

[@karenlyle322]

Great video!!!

[@chouavang2765]

With 13 in r household and trust me you had to fight for some food and you better not come to the dinner table late there won't be any food left you are right hungry kids will eat

[@Aplaceofstory]

Excellent video! I have a question for you about dessert. When you serve dessert, does it get served on a dinner plate with dinner? Or is it saved until after dinner has been eaten?

[@threerivershomestead]

After dinner is eaten

[@DesignsByRareBeauty]

Very smart lady 💕

[@stonethecrowshomestead]

your a wise, woman

[@monikasea]

Do you make your own cosmetics?can you tell us how you save on cleaners?Have a blessed day!

[@threerivershomestead]

Will try to post more about it soon!

[@swampophelia2098]

You say no snacking so what about if they just want a piece of fruit mid morning, do you not have a fruit bowl

[@threerivershomestead]

We have a fruit bowl. The kids typically eat until they are full at breakfast. They aren't hungry again until lunch. Sometimes they have a snack after naps if we are having a late dinner, but otherwise we don't. It also depends on activity level. If they are playing outdoors and burning lots of calories they get hungry and want a snack. If it's an indoor day they don't. Kids are good at listening to their bodies.

[@leahathome2883]

I agree with you about not forcing your kids to clean their plates. My hang up is with the inevitable food waste. What do you with leftovers?

[@threerivershomestead]

If it is a lot and it wasn't touched, I will put it in the fridge or offer it to another child. If it's just a little it goes into our chicken bucket and they turn it into eggs. The key for me is starting with really small portions. They can always go back for seconds.

[@nadiametz1693]

Thank you so much for sharing the way you feed your family. Really good advice. I do have a question. With you preparing three meals a day, every day, how do you handle left overs?

[@threerivershomestead]

Leftovers typically get eaten by me for breakfast since I can't eat a lot of the bready things like pancakes they get. Or leftovers get turned into a new meal.

[@nancywidows463]

We do pb&j for anyone who truly doesn't like dinner. But usually, I try to make meals that they generally enjoy, so we dont have to do pb&j very often. Thanks for this video....its very informative and thought provoking. 🙂

[@chelinfusco6403]

Wow. Good advise and I like that you learned how to work a good schedule. I wish I had that skill when my children were small. I struggled feeding both of them. My oldest has food allergies and my youngest autism. My oldest is now 32 and suffers from intestinal problems and my youngest has ulcerative colitis. Meals are still a challenge for both.

[@raynonabohrer5624]

You need a summer kitchen! You really do.

[@onThisJourney]

❤❤❤

[@brandywomack312]

Have you dealt with hypoglycemia or diabetes and imbalances between meals?

[@threerivershomestead]

No, I haven't thankfully

[@brandywomack312]

We had similar rules of eating at mealtimes until we had one dealing with crashes in blood sugar, so I'm looking for new ways to give her what she needs without throwing out good practices like those you have with meals.

[@rosym6907]

I commend you for all you do and the many hats you and your children wear, but forcing a child to eat out of hunger, for breakfast what they didn’t like and eat for dinner is harsh in my book. I wouldn’t cook a meal for my family if I knew one or more didn’t like a certain food, it’s not only children who might not like certain foods, we as adults also have likes and dislikes when it comes to meals.

[@FrozenViking110]

Did you even watch the whole video? She already mentioned that she usually makes what most of them like and even adds sides that all like so they will get something. She also specifically mentioned that she doesnt force them to eat what they dont like. Maybe rewatch the vid?

[@loriajhar6855]

She acknowledged that she was a young parent then and idealistic. She no longer practices that particular thing.

[@ingweking8748]

Nothing is wrong with that

[@beckyb5917]

Your oldest is actually fortunate not to have dairy in his diet. He will be much healthier in is life. Great videos. Thanks

[@ingweking8748]

Your kids are so little here

[@venuscruz6075]

As a vegan plant based eater, there is no way I could raise a chicken and then kill it and eat it........my husband had to raise and kill their pigs when he was young.....and he was so sad, and as soon as he got old enough to move out, he did and has never ate meat again.

[@threerivershomestead]

I understand. I was a vegetarian from ages 18-28. When I started eating meat again I said the only way I would do it is if I have a hand in the process - knowing how the animal was raised and processed.

[@FrozenViking110]

@@tonisangel5024 Which you are entitled to, just know that all farmers have been doing this with their families for hundreds of years and they survived. At least they know they were well taken care of and never abused like caged chickens are, or when transporting pigs in way too small cages.