Does not eat

My son used to eat everything before!   2 years ago during Xmas, (he was 2 years old) my son stoped eating, I figured it was mostly because of all our xmas visits, excitement and the fact that we ate lots of chocolates, cookies, candies....once supper came along, he was never hungry.  After 3-4 weeks, he really stoped eating what he loved most, wich was everything from morning to night, after maybe 1-2 weeks that worried me so I went to the doctors and he has lost 1 pound, not good at all for a 2 year old!  After this doctors appointment, I had to monitor what he ate (even though that was not much at all)  I tried everything, making icecubed meet, veggies, fruit... and tried to incorperate it in what was left that he liked (kd, macaroni and cheese) and mixed it in with his food so he could at least get a portion of proteins, vitamins, etc.....  To add to this, he also stopped eating meat, and this, completely (ham, steak, stew, hambergers, etc, you name it) and lots more.  Since 1 year ago he started to eat slowly again what he had loved before witch include all meal groups but now, since about 3-4 months, it started again, even at the daycare.  I know not to force him or be mad at him but at the same time, it frustrates me so much and it worries me!  I don't know what to do.  Now he stopped again to eat all kinds of meat, does not like veggies anymore, maybe brocoli once in a long while, he does not eat different kinds of fruit, just bananas, strawberries, no more raisins, cantilop, oranges, etc...  But he will always ask for deserts though (which we don't give him cause I don't want him to think that it's ok not to eat lunch and supper but dessert ya)!  Although sometimes I give in and give him yogurt, cheese of banava.  3 weeks ago we went to the doctors, he is not loosing weight, that's what matter but what can I do???

[Renee Radenberg]

His weight is near the 5th percentile for his age. Yogurt is not a 'dessert' food; in fact it is a very healthy protein, calcium source. If he is not eating meat, then feed him meat/protein substitutes such as peanut butter sandwiches, yogurt, milk, cheeses, rice & beans, pasta & beans, cheese & pasta, cheese sauce on the broccoli or vegetables (when he will eat it), yogurt on fruit he likes, and puddings or ice cream for dessert. Add dry milk to oatmeal, mashed potatoes, gravies, creamed vegetables, and creamed soups (add additional protein sources to soups such as meat). Suggest milkshakes or smoothies with fruit - milk or yogurt, banana or strawberries (or any type fruit he likes), ice cream blended together 2-3 times a day for additional calories for weight gain. Recommend a daily chewable children multi-vitamin with iron due to his eating habits and low meat intake (low iron). The most important thing is to RELAX. You do not want mealtimes to be a battle of the wits between your child and you. Remember meals need to be joyous for you and him. Do not force a child to eat and give them the foods they like. Slowly introduce new foods, and if he does not want it, do not make a fuss over it. Let it go and enjoy the meal. Hoped that helped you.