We both know that dealing with a "picky" baby, toddler, or child can definitely be frustrating at times, however if you take the time to follow some easy steps you might find that your little one isn't a picky eater after all but simply a child with a very discerning palate.
1.HIDE & SEEK: add veggies & proteins to the foods your kiddo already enjoys such as pasta sauce, macaroni & cheese, quesadillas, or scrambled eggs. Make sure to finely chop any veggie or protein so it isn't easily spotted. By adding new tastes to things that are already familiar your child will not be overwhelmed by the "newness" of the taste and/or texture.
2. PRESTO CHANGE-O: try different cooking and preparation methods to alter the tastes and textures. Instead of steaming try roasting, sauteeing, baking, or grilling. Add seasonings like sea salt, fresh ground black pepper, fresh squeezed lemon juice, or chopped fresh herbs to add more flavor to veggies and proteins. Also try to introduce new foods in dips and snacks instead of only at mealtimes.
3. KEEP IT SIMPLE: do your best to make mealtime fun for the both of you by not turning into a short order cook by remaking meals over and over again until you find something they will eat. Always serve one familiar and well liked option alongside something new. Serve them a version of what the rest of family is eating so you aren't always making separate meals. Don't overwhelm them with too many choices. Sometimes serving them one thing at a time works better than a whole plate full of 3 or 4 different foods. Some kids will choose to eat nothing rather than deal with making a choice between various options. Keep in mind that it can take up to 18 tries of a new food for kids to take to it so it is important that you don't give up you just let it go and try again later.
4. TOGETHER: involve your child in the whole process by showing them what you are making and even letting them help. While there are things they obviously are too young to do in the kitchen there a lot of little jobs they can do. Let them put the lettuce into the salad bowl, or help set the table, or even teach them to stir ingredients. All of these little tasks give them a chance to see the whole process from beginning to end. They may not eat everything that is served but it might just make them curious enough to try a bite at dinner. And getting them to taste is sometimes half the battle and really a victory in itself. Make a list of all the things they do eat and post it on the fridge every time they try something new - add it to the list and show how proud you are that they are becoming such adventurous little eaters.
5. LEAD BY EXAMPLE: kids love to eat what you are eating, so chances are if you eat healthy so will they. Make mealtime a fun family event instead of just another thing to cross off your "to do list". Taking the time to sit together and enjoy a meal and share the events of the day will show your child that meals aren't meant to be stressful but rather an enjoyable part of their day where they get to spend time with mom and dad.
*Here's some great recipes to get your kids to eat healthy ingredients in fun and tasty new ways.
Super Smoothie:
1 tablespooon of loosely chopped fresh spinach or kale
OR 1 cube of frozen spinach or kale
1/4 cup of chopped fresh or frozen Strawberries
14 cup of chopped banana
1 teaspoon of flax meal
2 tablespoons of plain Greek Yogurt
1/4 cup of unsweetened Almond Milk, or Soy Milk
Place ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Play around with the consistency as well as the ingredients depending on your child's age and allergies. This is also a great energy boost for mom & dad!!
Yum-O Apple Spinach Chicken Nuggets ( For kids 9 months and beyond)
Ingredients:
3/4 lb organic ground chicken
1 medium onion, peeled and diced (I love the food processor for this part)
1 small apple, peeled and grated (just switch to the grater attachment on your processor)
1 chicken stock cube, crumbled well
1/4 or more cups of frozen spinach, crumbled
1 cup dry bread crumbs
canola oil or olive oil for frying (canola oil can take higher heats)
Directions:
1. Combine first five ingredients in bowl. Mix together with your hands or spoon. Shape into small patties.
2. Put bread crumbs in a shallow dish and press the pieces into the coating.
3. Heat enough oil for shallow frying in large frying pan. Add nuggets and cook about 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until light golden and cooked through.
4. Suitable for freezing- they will be mushy if you microwave them so consider letting them defrost in fridge and then heating them up stove top. Or, you could throw a few in the oven or toaster oven at 375 until crispy again.
Make a mini-meal by serving either of the below dips with steamed or fresh veggies. These dips entice kids to enjoy their veggies, plus they have healthy ingredients!
This recipe is suitable for babies happily feeding themselves, as it makes an ideal dip for soft vegetables or pita bread, or drier hummus can be balled up for younger babies. Chickpeas (or Garbanzo beans) are legumes, and a great source of protein. The olive oil provides important healthy fats, and roasted red pepper provides vitamins C and A.
Happy Hummus Dip
Ingredients:
1 roasted red bell pepper- optional- (we use jarred, but you can roast your own)
1 can cooked low sodium chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup tahini OR plain whole-milk yogurt
1 small clove garlic
2 T olive oil, or more if needed
1/2 t cumin
lemon juice, to taste
Makes 2 1/2 cups.
Directions:
1. In a food processor or blender, combine the chickpeas, the roasted pepper, yogurt/tahini, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and cumin.
2. Process until smooth. Add olive oil as desired for smoother consistency.
Creamy Artichoke Dip
1/2 cup canned artichoke hearts
2 green onions, finely chopped
4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
2 T chopped fresh flat-;leaf parsley
2-3 tsp fresh lemon juice
1. Rinse and drain artichoke hearts.
2. In food processor or blender, combine the artichokes, green onions, cream cheese, parsley, and 2 tsp. lemon juice. Process to smooth puree. Season with lemon juice to taste.
3. Serve with veggies or sliced bread for dipping. Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 3 days.
Have any of your own pick eater tricks? Or any other questions we can answer for you? Simple go to our website www.mishmashhomemade.com and click on the discussion board to post ideas and questions!
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