Comments on: Kids and New Foods (The Foundation) http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/ Healthy ideas for the whole family. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:15:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Christine http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-6269 Christine Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:25:09 +0000 http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-6269 Great post! I am a firm believer that kids should at least "try" everything the adult is eating. I am looking forward to making baby food from what we eat as well. She is still at the breastfed stage. The only difficulty right now is my husband is a very picky eater so I have to work on him now too. I tihnk its much easier to start from an early age, even breastfed. I sometimes eat alone of differnt things from my husband and have made it a priority to eat more veggies and differnt items such as salmon etc. to expose her to differnt flavors (supposedly the milk has a differnt flavor to it while being breastfed, plus it starts me doing the right thing now rather than later). My goal is to become a more healthy and diverse eater for myself and my dughter. Great post! I am a firm believer that kids should at least “try” everything the adult is eating. I am looking forward to making baby food from what we eat as well. She is still at the breastfed stage. The only difficulty right now is my husband is a very picky eater so I have to work on him now too. I tihnk its much easier to start from an early age, even breastfed. I sometimes eat alone of differnt things from my husband and have made it a priority to eat more veggies and differnt items such as salmon etc. to expose her to differnt flavors (supposedly the milk has a differnt flavor to it while being breastfed, plus it starts me doing the right thing now rather than later).
My goal is to become a more healthy and diverse eater for myself and my dughter.

]]> By: Jen http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-6113 Jen Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:36:11 +0000 http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-6113 My kids were extremely different. My oldest loved vegetables and would eat anything. My youngest, though also breastfed and raised at the same table, would suck the cheese off a pea and spit it out. With time and persistence, though, he's also become a very good eater. We always offer fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks. We make an adventure out of trying new foods. The other day, we all tried fresh artichokes for the first time. The kids (6 & 3) had a blast scraping the leaves against their teeth and thought the furry part was hilarious. It was a proud mommy moment. I think being a good example is key. We had fun with it so they did as well. My kids were extremely different. My oldest loved vegetables and would eat anything. My youngest, though also breastfed and raised at the same table, would suck the cheese off a pea and spit it out. With time and persistence, though, he’s also become a very good eater. We always offer fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks. We make an adventure out of trying new foods. The other day, we all tried fresh artichokes for the first time. The kids (6 & 3) had a blast scraping the leaves against their teeth and thought the furry part was hilarious. It was a proud mommy moment. I think being a good example is key. We had fun with it so they did as well.

]]> By: Jenn http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5994 Jenn Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:38:52 +0000 http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5994 This is very similar to my almost 2 year old. He'll try anything once. If he doesn't like it he'll swallow, shake his head and say 'no'. For us, the key has been to be nuetral about food. We don't reward him with sugary treats and there is no finish your peas and you can have ice cream. The other day he ate baked salmon and spinach salad. It makes my life a lot easier! This is very similar to my almost 2 year old. He’ll try anything once. If he doesn’t like it he’ll swallow, shake his head and say ‘no’. For us, the key has been to be nuetral about food. We don’t reward him with sugary treats and there is no finish your peas and you can have ice cream. The other day he ate baked salmon and spinach salad. It makes my life a lot easier!

]]> By: Meggan http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5950 Meggan Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:25:09 +0000 http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5950 Great Post! . I have 2 great eaters and I give credit to a smart pediatrician. As a new mom he told me that children will not allow theselves to starve and that he recommended the same meal for everyone approach. In return, they get to plan dinner one night a week (must have a protien and a veggie) and the adults eat it too. THere have been many a Friday nights when I have eaten PB&J with canned green beans because that is what they chose. I am also a huge fan of "funky" dips - we make red pepper puree for pork, various fruit jelly dips for appropriate meats, and yougart dips - my kids love it and it has epanded their palatte! Great Post!
.
I have 2 great eaters and I give credit to a smart pediatrician. As a new mom he told me that children will not allow theselves to starve and that he recommended the same meal for everyone approach. In return, they get to plan dinner one night a week (must have a protien and a veggie) and the adults eat it too. THere have been many a Friday nights when I have eaten PB&J with canned green beans because that is what they chose.

I am also a huge fan of “funky” dips - we make red pepper puree for pork, various fruit jelly dips for appropriate meats, and yougart dips - my kids love it and it has epanded their palatte!

]]> By: Valerie http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5931 Valerie Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:51:22 +0000 http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5931 I have 2 soens; one who will eat just about everything ( he hates avocado and brown beans but will eat just about everything else!) and the other is EXTREMELY fussy. He will eat any and all veggies; his fave is brussel sprouts. He will eat any meat, as long as it doesn't have any kind of sauce on it. Same with noodle, rice, pasta, etc. No sauce. Neither of my boys were breast fed due to severe jaundice (research shows that breastfed, premature boys with a family history are most susceptible.) My eldest was breastfed until he got so dehydrated and jaundiced that the doctor said, "this kid needs formula". I was so scared that it would happen again for the second time around that I automatically chose formula. We have lots of fruit and fresh veggies in the house. The boys never cared about chips or other "bad" snacks until they started school. Now, they have baked chips in their lunches. They do not get sodas unless we are eating out. They drink tons of water. The youngest is required to try things but always acts as if he hates them. We keep presenting them to him though. I have 2 soens; one who will eat just about everything ( he hates avocado and brown beans but will eat just about everything else!) and the other is EXTREMELY fussy. He will eat any and all veggies; his fave is brussel sprouts. He will eat any meat, as long as it doesn’t have any kind of sauce on it. Same with noodle, rice, pasta, etc. No sauce. Neither of my boys were breast fed due to severe jaundice (research shows that breastfed, premature boys with a family history are most susceptible.) My eldest was breastfed until he got so dehydrated and jaundiced that the doctor said, “this kid needs formula”. I was so scared that it would happen again for the second time around that I automatically chose formula. We have lots of fruit and fresh veggies in the house. The boys never cared about chips or other “bad” snacks until they started school. Now, they have baked chips in their lunches. They do not get sodas unless we are eating out. They drink tons of water. The youngest is required to try things but always acts as if he hates them. We keep presenting them to him though.

]]> By: Tamela http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5867 Tamela Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:20:51 +0000 http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5867 I never made the breastfeeding connection before. I nursed both my boys for a year and neither is a picky eater (though 2 of my nephews were also bf and are very picky, who knows really?) We've also always offered them the same meal we are eating and they have to try at least 2 bites of something they don't like. Well, my nearly 4 year old does, my 2 year old doesn't quite get it yet, but we still offer him bites. They love some things I never thought toddlers/preschoolers would like: fish, shrimp, beets, brussel sprouts. But, my older son doesn't like tomatoes, olives, any salad type stuff and brocolli-all things that other kids seem to love. I never made the breastfeeding connection before. I nursed both my boys for a year and neither is a picky eater (though 2 of my nephews were also bf and are very picky, who knows really?) We’ve also always offered them the same meal we are eating and they have to try at least 2 bites of something they don’t like. Well, my nearly 4 year old does, my 2 year old doesn’t quite get it yet, but we still offer him bites. They love some things I never thought toddlers/preschoolers would like: fish, shrimp, beets, brussel sprouts. But, my older son doesn’t like tomatoes, olives, any salad type stuff and brocolli-all things that other kids seem to love.

]]> By: Barb http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5864 Barb Sun, 08 Jun 2008 12:39:07 +0000 http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5864 I have friends ask me the same question. My three girls eat everything. I also let them try whatever they wanted when they were little, so I think that has something to do with it. I also think that fact the my husband and I like just about every food there is also helped. We always took the kids to nice restaurants when they were little, so they were exposed to gourmet food at a young age. When they were as young as five they would ask for flounder stuffed with crabmeat or filet mignon! Now they love just about any food from seafood, sushi, vegies (they fight over who gets the bigger half of the acorn squash)!! I have friends ask me the same question. My three girls eat everything. I also let them try whatever they wanted when they were little, so I think that has something to do with it. I also think that fact the my husband and I like just about every food there is also helped. We always took the kids to nice restaurants when they were little, so they were exposed to gourmet food at a young age. When they were as young as five they would ask for flounder stuffed with crabmeat or filet mignon! Now they love just about any food from seafood, sushi, vegies (they fight over who gets the bigger half of the acorn squash)!!

]]> By: Jan http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5841 Jan Sun, 08 Jun 2008 01:54:29 +0000 http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5841 Both my boys have grown up to enjoy all food. I was like you, they ate what the the rest of the family ate. I told them they had to try everything even if they thought they didn't like it. "your tastebuds are always changing" This bit me in the butt more than once. I dislike cooked carrots. My kids said "you have to try one bite, your tastebuds change" Do you know how many restaurants serve cooked carrots??? LOL I have tried them every way possible. It paid off big time for us though. Both my boys have grown up to enjoy all food. I was like you, they ate what the the rest of the family ate. I told them they had to try everything even if they thought they didn’t like it. “your tastebuds are always changing” This bit me in the butt more than once. I dislike cooked carrots. My kids said “you have to try one bite, your tastebuds change” Do you know how many restaurants serve cooked carrots??? LOL I have tried them every way possible. It paid off big time for us though.

]]> By: Whitney http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5823 Whitney Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:01:17 +0000 http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5823 I am a nutrition student studying to become a lactation consultant. In our studies, we learn that when children are breast fed, they tend to to be non picky eaters. This is especially true when the mom eats a variety of foods while breast feeding. BTW, I love your site, keep up the GREAT work!! We all appreciate it! I am a nutrition student studying to become a lactation consultant. In our studies, we learn that when children are breast fed, they tend to to be non picky eaters. This is especially true when the mom eats a variety of foods while breast feeding. BTW, I love your site, keep up the GREAT work!! We all appreciate it!

]]> By: Steph. http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5814 Steph. Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:36:16 +0000 http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5814 My oldest is a "Ryan" too and I get such a kick out of watching you two interact on your videos! I agree with your tactic of he eats what the family eats. I try, for the most part, to do that. But, I also feel like every kids is completely different. I handled my son the same way as I'm handling my daughter with regard to foods. And, my son eats everything. My daughter is the pickiest person in our family and crosses off something new she won't eat on her list every day. The stubborn gene is also really bad in our family and my daughter will not eat dinner and go to bed without eating versus having to eat chicken, a vegetable or you name it. So, I try to make something with every meal that she WILL eat. Sometimes she has to have a few bites of her meat or something else she doesn't like to GET that thing she likes, but this seems to be a good comprimise and also lets her know she's eating what we serve and that's it. My oldest is a “Ryan” too and I get such a kick out of watching you two interact on your videos!

I agree with your tactic of he eats what the family eats. I try, for the most part, to do that. But, I also feel like every kids is completely different. I handled my son the same way as I’m handling my daughter with regard to foods. And, my son eats everything. My daughter is the pickiest person in our family and crosses off something new she won’t eat on her list every day.

The stubborn gene is also really bad in our family and my daughter will not eat dinner and go to bed without eating versus having to eat chicken, a vegetable or you name it. So, I try to make something with every meal that she WILL eat. Sometimes she has to have a few bites of her meat or something else she doesn’t like to GET that thing she likes, but this seems to be a good comprimise and also lets her know she’s eating what we serve and that’s it.

]]> By: noelle http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5802 noelle Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:05:07 +0000 http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5802 I've got 6 non-picky eaters. We have always offered whatever we were eating too. We were at a friend's house one day and later my daughter who was about 4 asked why the bread was so white. She'd always had whole wheat so it seemed really odd to her. I agree that you just keep offering things. And if it is what is in the house, then that's what we have. My kids always go to the fruit bowl or the yogurt for snacks. I love that. I’ve got 6 non-picky eaters. We have always offered whatever we were eating too. We were at a friend’s house one day and later my daughter who was about 4 asked why the bread was so white. She’d always had whole wheat so it seemed really odd to her.

I agree that you just keep offering things. And if it is what is in the house, then that’s what we have. My kids always go to the fruit bowl or the yogurt for snacks. I love that.

]]> By: Sanjana http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5800 Sanjana Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:33:20 +0000 http://greenlitebites.com/2008/06/06/kids-and-new-foods-the-foundation/#comment-5800 Hi Roni, This is a fantastic post! I am one person who is least picky when it comes to eating food and my husband happens to be exactly the opposite. I don't have children yet, but believe me I really don't want them to be picky like their dad. I have always admired Ryan's eating habits and this post gives me a lot of relief. I always believed that having a picky parent affects the child eating habits a lot ,but ultimately exposing them to various tastes and textures is what's important I guess. Keeping my fingers crossed!! Hi Roni, This is a fantastic post! I am one person who is least picky when it comes to eating food and my husband happens to be exactly the opposite. I don’t have children yet, but believe me I really don’t want them to be picky like their dad. I have always admired Ryan’s eating habits and this post gives me a lot of relief. I always believed that having a picky parent affects the child eating habits a lot ,but ultimately exposing them to various tastes and textures is what’s important I guess. Keeping my fingers crossed!!

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