[msmichellemille]

My 2 year old wants to eat cheese ALL DAY LONG!!!! Kraft singles, mozzerella sticks, and he likes me to put shredded cheddar on a small plate for him to pinch between his fingers and eat.
Now this is very low carb and I'm glad that I don't have to worry about that but literally eating cheese like 5 times a day just *can't* be good for him, can it?
I do try to limit it but he whines for it until I give in. Shoot; I already feel bad enough with what else I have to limit.
Gosh I wish they made more foods low-carb!!!!!!!

[princesslinda]

I find if I eat too much cheese, I have difficulty with constipation. I love cheese, as its low carb and filling, but I do limit the amount I eat. Maybe you can find some carb-friendly substitutions he'll like as well.

Would he eat pork rinds? They are crunchy and very low carb. Also does he like the goldfish crackers? I like them as a snack (I just have to be careful with portion control ) Would he eat celery perhaps dipped in ranch dressing? My neices and nephews always liked "dipping" veggies when they were little.

[volleyball]

I love cheese myself. But Kraft is not the best. Kids like what they know. Their world is changing so fast, they need a constant. And for your kid, cheese may be their security blanket. For one of my kids, it was bologna. Once they grew out of it, they never eat it again. You might be scraping cheese off of food for them in the future.
Maybe giving them things like swiss or guda or limberg instead would diminish the habit? I would hate to see them hate cheese in the future and there are worse things than cheese for them to desire

[msmichellemille]

Pork rinds...goldfish (those are low carb, really?), got it. Thanks.
Yeah...I guess there are worse things he could want but I'm worried that his cholesterol will rival Tony Soprano's before he hits the age of 3!
Can you tell me why Kraft is not best for them? He likes all cheese but sometimes he just wants a cheese single like Kraft.
Oh and I'd have thought he'd be constipated for sure, too, but trust me he's not!!!!

[volleyball]

While Kraft is not an imitation cheese, it is processed which has stuff in it. I would not be concerned if it was small amounts but if they are eating a lot, then the quality is more important. I don't believe that cheese will raise you cholesterol. Their cheerios is more likely to. But I would not worry about it in an active toddler.
I get deli cheese ends, cut them into pieces. That way I get deli quality for packaged prices. But the kraft sealed snack packs would seem smart for your trips outside the home

[princesslinda]

Goldfish really aren't "low-carb" but you can by the individual serving packs that are usually equal to a serving of carbs....and might help him "kick the cheese habit."

I'm curious about Kraft cheese, as I enjoy it myself.

Also, I buy the sliced sandwich meats and eat them with a salad or even by themselves as a snack...0 carbs, something he could pickup like he does the cheese...or even try slicing some turkey franks or turkey pepperoni (those these have quite a bit of sodium).

I

[msmichellemille]

Oh yeah...I do give him the deli ham and turkey. Hot dogs, too. Now I promise I'm not trying to be negative at everything yall suggest, really! It's just that deli meats and hot dogs don't sound all that great for him, either!
Can't you get gout from eating too much of that? Seems I heard that before.
Oy...I really can't wait to finally meet with a nutritionist. I'm really counting on her to give me this wonderfully long list of healthy foods that have no carbs and he will LOVE.
That's not getting my hopes up too high, is it?!?

[volleyball]

I think toddlers will want what their bodies need, that is except for sweets. I love turkey but stray away from turkey products that are trying to be something else. To much sodium and chemicals. And low end deli meats can also have lots of sodium.
I had gout and I am glad it's gone. I don't think a toddler could get it but I understand your concern.
You should question everything that we say. You're the parent. that's your job.
Here's a thought. If the toddler is not so fond of green leafy veggies, then things like broccoli in cheese sauce may double fill his desire for calcium.

[princesslinda]

Michelle, its great that you're asking questions.....we all question everything we read and hear. If I were in your shoes, i'd be the same way. I'm sure its doubly hard dealing with a young child and his likes and dislikes.

I do hope your nutrition class will provide some good suggestions...and that you'll share them here, because there are and will continue to be others with your same situation coming here looking for help.

[DarthDiabetes]

They make lower fat cheese, so I would say let the kid have at it. Kids are smarter than we are, they will stop eating it if it is doing them harm. Heck, they tell you to give kids milk all the time, cheese is just solid milk if you ask me.

[sprzepiora]

If you are worried about all the cheese he eats try to figure out how often he wants it and offer something else before he asks for cheese.

But to be honest with you, if your kid has a healthy weight and the foods he is craving aren't unhealthy let him eat it. Generally speaking kids like to graze all day long and are either bored or hungry when they ask for food.

I find it funny when I am home and I watch her and the kids munch on things all day long. Of course she is always pregnant or nursing so she has the same habits as the kids. She will give them hunks of cheese, apples or oranges. Some of them love tomatoes and she will give them that. Others like my jalapeno, or cherry peppers from the garden (I know, my kids are weird )

Good luck!

[cyberus]

Its not just Kraft, most of the sliced cheeses quietly went from "processed american cheese" to "processed american cheese food/product" which are two different animals as far as carb counts go, regular process is <1g per slice, food/product runs from 1.5g to 2+g, and imitation can run from 2-5g per slice depending on brand. Velveeta for instance is 3g per oz and 2 of them are sugar!

[notme]

It must be very hard trying to keep a kid happy while limiting their food. Cheese five times a day really can't be good for your son and I would limit it severely. I know he likes it and whines for what he wants, but what kid doesn't?

Try a few different things for snacks like jello with cool whip, sugar free pudding cups, celery and peanut butter, or deviled eggs.

Starting now and teaching your son good eating habits might be easier to do now, rather than trying to fix them later.

[cyberus]

Another random thought related to a previous post, make your own cheese spread and use that to top celery boats and whatever other munchies you would prefer he eats.

[Penny]

Kids get hooked on different foods, and just as quick want something else. My son begged for oranges for about a year, then would not touch them for a long time...but in the meantime, he wanted Mac and cheese for every meal. Because I didn't know any better, I would tell him he could have the thing he wanted after he took 2 bites of something else.....meat ot veggies. It worked with him. My daughter wanted plain, uncooked hotdogs, and I did the same with her....but she whined about it. The granddaughter liked eating spoons full of plain peanut butter.....I let her have all she wanted, because she is the granddaughter..... and it was my job to spoil her. The thing is this pattern always changed and they all grew up strong and healthy and seem to like most foods. The granddaughter is 12, loves veggies and fruit and still likes to have a spoonful of peanut butter sometimes.