Picky eater

Hello, I need help. My oldest son will be turning eight years old in Febuary, and he is almost skin and bone.  Meal times are always a constant battle. He is 46 inches tall and he weighs about 50 pounds.  He has an athletic build.  When I saw that he is a picky eater hamburgers are the only form of meat that he will eat.  I don't really have much of a problem getting him to eat veggies my concern is that he isn't really getting much protein out of that.  I don't know how much more of this I can take.  I am at the point where I have to make separate meal for him, then a regular meal for my other two children.  I should add that he will eat mac and cheese when forced.  Then after I give him his meal he will only eat a few bites and tell me that he is done and walk away, I have tried forcing him to eat he cries and he will sit at the table with cold food in front of him until it is time to go to bed.  His "habbit" is only getting worse, I will make him what he wants to eat, he will eat that for awhile then he decides that he doesn't like it. I feel like I am enabling this behavior by giving in, but I feel like I am a horrible mother if he goes all day with out eating.  Please help

[Renee Radenberg]

Mealtimes can be a battlefield when children do not have an interest to eating or eat very little. It becomes the battle of the wits between the child and the parents. Remember meals need to be joyous for you and your child. If he will not eat a certain food, do not make a fuss over it. Give him some other food alternatives. Then let it go and enjoy your meal. Eventually he will eat. I suggest you give him nutrient dense drinks, such as, milkshakes instead of milk. Milkshakes are a very good snack and children love to be a part of making them. All it takes is milk or soymilk, ice cream and some banana (any fruit). Whip it up in a blender and you have a drink packed with protein and calories (if used regular dairy products). Give the milkshakes 3-4 times a day (with meals and at night), which gives him his daily calories and protein needs so he gains weight and you do not have to fight with him at meals.

[toty]

and what if she doesn't like milk shake?and if so,she will drink it only?

[bluestar1]

My son doesn't have a problem eating sweets, however when it comes to anything with protein he will refuse to eat it.  I feel like a bad parent when the only thing that the child will eat involves chocolate and candy.  I see the rationality in giving him milkshakes however I feel like I am enabling his behavior.  I work in mental health and I know that giving in would be doing just that.  My thought is would you give a ********* pictures of children because he is having a temper tantrum and he wants to see them.  I know that it is apples to oranges however it is still one in the same.            
I realize that he needs to eat But again I am back to the same problem, sweets.  I am rewarding him with ice cream while I am making his brothers eat what everybody else is eating.  That would cause a whole new battle. I want to dig a hole every time I hear him say I am hungry.  I don't think that ice cream is the answer.  He will get the nutrients that he needs but it wouldn't fix the problem.  I think that it would be just a band-aid  

[SadMom123]

My son was also a picky eater until I started having him help me make the meals.  Now he eats everything on his plate and is proud of the fact that "he" made dinner.  I'm not sure if it's the fact that he made it or the fact that he saw everything that we put into it... I'm just happy that he eats better now while learning a skill his future wife will enjoy.  Good Luck and I hope this helps.

[bluestar1]

Thanks I think that I will try that.  I have gotten him to eat mini hamburgers and now he eats them for every meal and he eats them every day.  Eventually he will get tired of eating those and then the battle will begin again.....Until then I will enjoy the fact that he is eating!  Thanks again

[alexa_jcb]

If your child does not like meats you can meet his protein requirement with legumes fruits and veggies rich in protein such as aparagus, avacado, broccoli, coliflower, cantelope, strawberries, etc....peanut butter is also good! hope that helps.

[Renee Radenberg]

The reason I recommended milkshakes is because your son is underweight for his age. Milkshakes may have sugar in them but it is very high in protein, as much as meat, plus calcium, vitamin D, A, and when you add fruit to the shake you are adding vitamins and minerals that he would not normally get because he is not eating vegetables or fruits. You have a high calorie, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals drink that will him to grow. It may look like you are rewarding him, but you are not if you get him involved in making the shakes. Children like to do “stuff” in the kitchen and if he makes the shakes with you, maybe he can help you with the family meals, set the table, etc. and who knows he might start eating better.