Why does my 10yo suddenly hate everything I cook?

Jan 12·1 min read

This just started happening last month. He used to be pretty easy going about food. Now he's 'not in the mood' for literally everything - spaghetti, tacos, chicken, rice bowls, pizza (PIZZA!). He'll eat cereal or PB&J all day if I let him. I'm not about to become a short order cook but also don't want to starve the kid. Is this normal preteen stuff or am I doing something wrong? My 7yo eats fine so it's not like I'm cooking garbage.

5 comments462 views

Comments(5)

VVictor M.New DadJan 12

Could be a texture thing that just kicked in? My 10yo went through a phase where suddenly everything was 'mushy' or 'crunchy' in a bad way. It passed but lasted like 6 weeks. Have you asked him what specifically changed about the foods he used to like?

CChristopher M.New DadJan 12

At 10 they're starting to have opinions about everything and want independence. Could be he just wants to feel like he has control. Maybe let him pick one dinner a week to make or choose? Sometimes the issue isn't the food, it's the power dynamic.

JJoshuaNew DadJan 14

Have you checked if something at school changed? New friends who are picky eaters? Sometimes kids just mirror what they see their peers doing. When did this actually start exactly?

EEricRegularJan 14

This happened with my oldest around that age. Turns out he was getting influenced by kids at school talking about how 'lame' school lunches were. Sometimes they just need to feel cool or different at that age. I started having him help cook and he got more interested in the food.

CClint R.RegularJan 15

My guy went through this and it was because I wasn't making the 'cool' foods anymore. I was trying to be healthier. Once I realized that, we compromised. He gets his chicken nuggets or pizza but with better sides. Worked out great.