James decided that once he turned 1- that he didn't want to eat anything good for him anymore.
Maybe it was the cake? lol

For the past week- he only wants this- mac and cheese, cheese, yogurt, bread, and deli turkey. He doesn't want any veggies or fruit. Doesn't want any beans or squash or potatoes. He throws the good stuff for the dogs on the floor and eats a small bit of the other stuff.
Also he no longer wants anything pureed on a spoon. If he can't pick it up himself with his hands- he won't eat it (except yogurt)
I'm convinced I am not giving him enough nutrients or calories. It was much easier when you solely depended on infant formula to give them everything they needed. But my Dr. put me under the impression that they need food now for additional nutrients. He said food before was just for taste and not necessary. Now it is required and I need to start healthy menu planning.
Of course - it figures - once I'm supposed to- James would rebel....

I will sit for an hour trying to feed him. If he doesn't want it- there is nothing i can do- I'm not gonna shove it down his throat! I end up wasting time and money.

I guess I should buy a book- but I have no idea how many calories a one year old should be getting daily. My dr. said 20-24 oz of whole milk daily (which I'm using formula) but how many calories and fat should I be giving him with food?

Calories usually depend on the height/weight of the child. I remember from Madeline being FTT (we had a nutricinst that came out once a week) that 1 year old should be getting around 900 calories a day.

Marshall is in the stage where if he cannot pick it up and eat it himself, he won't eat it. Last night, he had peas for dinner and ate 95% of them. If you hold off offering the mac & cheese and other things, and just offer the fruits and veggies cut up small where he can handle it himself, he'll more than likely start feeding himself (unless he has a feeding problem/issue, don't worry, he won't stave himself). Make sure any grains your giving him are whole grains, usually for a one year old, serving sizes are 1/4 cups.

ETA: YAY my memory works, I was right Table: Dietary Recommendations for Children

thanks this is very helpful!

I would never give him mac and cheese- I have my MIL and mother to thank for that.
I hate all the chemicals in the yellow powder stuff. I would make it home made if I were to give it to him. I do give him whole grain wheat bread, but again- my husband and caregivers give him white bread- and I really think that it is screwing everything up for me.

I'm sure in a couple months he will be given snickers bars....uggg

It is frustrating!!! I remember when Madeline was like 3 months old, my dad was boasting about how he would be feeding her ice cream and cookies soon - sigh.....I know they are well meaning, but it is frustrating!!!!

IDK - the best you can do is inform them that what you bring is what you want him to eat (ie: veggies, fruits, if you want to, meats, etc...) and this is what is recommended by his doctor for foods and you are following that advice. If they cannot understand and still don't....IDK what you can do (thankfully my parents understand Madeline's food allergies and don't even attempt to feed her....they feed her only what I pack for her when she is over there).

my son is the pickiest eater on the planet, and he basically only eats what you've listed molly, with the exception of cheese. he won't touch cheese unless is in macaroni. which i only give him as a last resort!

because i know he's not getting ANY of the proper nutrition because he flat refuses and feeds the dogs his fruits/veggies, i've been giving him the enfamil liquid multi-vitamin in his yogurt everyday.

our doctor said it's ok if he's not getting a perfectly well rounded diet at first, as long as he's getting the vitamins.

we also bought this great baby-toddler cook book called Feed Me I'm Yours, and it's given us some great tips on how to help feed a pick eater.

Amazon.com: Feed Me! I'm Yours: Revised and Expanded Edition (9780671884437): Vicki Lansky: Books

we're still having issues...but it seems to be getting better as time goes on.

It is so hard when people are not on the same feeding page with your kids. Some times I dont even want my dd going to her grandparents because they of course give her what ever she wants and it takes me forever to undo what they did. Ive even sent food along and asked them to feed her this or that and it never works...I have no advice for you really sorry! I have the pickiest eater in the land(or so I think ) just try and get everyone on the same page.

I just wanted to say I understand and to stay strong and not give in (like I do way too much) Its a vicous cycle

thanks girls- at least I feel like I am not alone!

Its always this way- isn't it? I had a lovely picture in my head of cooking him all these wonderful meals- meal planning and shopping. But it never works out the way you plan- and it literally gets thrown in my face
Like BF- of course he was born tongue tied and couldn't latch. And I was the biggest advocate for BF on this forum when I was pregnant with him- ironic, huh? Its funny to read my old posts about how horrible formula feeding is- and here I am- with a baby that can't BF! I guess I deserved the perspective. Anyhoo....

I went to the store this morning and tried to "compromise" with James by finding foods that I think he will eat- but have hidden veggies in them. Like canned soup- low sodium. I found a broccoli cheese potato (he will be tricked into the broccoli and potato with all the cheese) and italian wedding soup- he likes meatballs and pasta but there is also spinach and carrots. I think if I can drain all the gross liquid- there will be rice or pasta and veggies leftover.
I also got pasta sauce that has all sorts of veggies in it- like a garden sauce.
I guess I will go from there.
I hate getting already prepped food- but it is giving me ideas about what I can make for him and freeze- I can try it out with the prepped food first to see if he likes it.
I might look into the vitamin thing too... that might help me sleep at night.

Try a meat loaf - you can hide about whatever veggie you can think of in those

I regularly make my meatloafs with eggplant, summer squash, carrots, etc....puree up and add in, no one knows the differance (my kids eat veggies wonderfully, DH on the other hand.....)

Is Mac and cheese bad for you? It's my favourite... haha. I really want my kid to eat healthy!

Ive started to give my dd that new V8 drink...forget the name of it...ahhh brain fart! but it says it has a full serving of veggies and fruits and its pretty good! I always water down my dds juice but this stuffs really strong so I dont feel bad when she drinks 3 glasses because its about a thrid juice. If shes going to drink juice I try to make it a healthier type of juice