I have read on countless blogs the issues that parents have with their children and food. We have never really had this issue but as of late it has unwelcomingly taken up residence on my dining table.
Here's my question: Is it best to let children go without eating or let them eat "crap" to fill them up?
Case in point... Nelson no longer eats what I cook if it has any sort of nutritional value. Two nights ago I made a fabulous grilled salmon steak, baked vegetable medley drizzled with olive oil and a spritz of lemon, and creamy mashed potatoes. Does he eat it? No... Not 1 bite.
While I am not one to force my children to eat, I am also not a short-order cook. You don't want to eat... Fine with me.
On a side note... There father does not let them go hungry. After I frustratingly locked myself in my bedroom, he whipped up a nice grilled cheese for each of our picky little eaters.
Next night...
"Nelson, what would you like for dinner?"
"Chicken and noodles."
"We just had that 2 nights ago."
"Macaroni and cheese."
"Okay. The baked kind with grilled chicken and fresh steamed broccoli?"
"No. The kind with Spider-Man on the box."
Fantastic. He ate every bite. Oh, and you might suggest at least buying the Annie's brand of M-n-C... Well, that brand doesn't have Spider-Man nor Scooby Doo on the box. Cute little bunnies don't do it for 5-year-old little boys...
So, do I let them go on empty or do I fill them up with junk?
Suggestions... Please!!
Oh, and the photo is from our Christmas dinner in which I made a lovely pork tenderloin with cranberry sauce on top, recipe can be found at the Pioneer Woman Cooks. Ask me if they ate it... Nope!
9 comments:
oh Paula - I feel your frustration!
My 6 year old son has not eaten for... well 6 years now! He is on a constant food strike and will only eat spaghetti! So the rule in our house is.... you don't eat - then you just don't eat.
The sad thing is that he really doesn't care if he eats or not... I question the reality of him being my son - because I love food too much!
Hope all is well - and so sorry about your Grandpa! xoxo Janene
Glad to hear other health conscious moms struggle to get their monkeys to eat too :) Jenny was the best eater until she turned four and then all of the sudden it was PBJ's or M-n-C, three times a day. Yuck! We finally got desperate and started bribing her with an after dinner treat if she ate some of everything on her plate. We've gradually bumped it up to eating everything on her plate and now sometimes she'll eat everything and not even ask about the treat, but that has been a full year in the making. Ellen has been picky since birth. I was at one point making separate meals for the girls but now if they don't want what we're having they can have bread and butter or something from the fruit bowl. I'd love to hear what creative ideas you come up with! Good luck!
I have nothing creative or innovative to add, only that I, too, struggle with getting Caeden to eat well. Once he discovered pasta and chicken nuggets, all bets are off.
He'll eat broccoli and that is ONLY veggie. I supplement with vitamins and hope he'll come around.
I know some of his little buddies that eat salads, all veggies, etc. without trouble. Not sure how that happens other than to never introduce the other stuff?
I feel your pain. Once Harrison turned 12mths, he became a picky eater. We have our highs & lows of eating. It is sad to admit, but I am a mom that will make him something different than what we are eating if that will get him to eat. He already does not sleep the greatest and I really do not want to be awakened anymore than I already am.
Good Luck! And glad to know you made it home safely. It was good to see you.
xox
I would stick to your guns and don't give them the junk. I only say that because I caved and now neither of my kids will eat ANYTHING healthy. GOOD LUCK!!!!
It is so comforting to know we are not alone in this battle.
Last night I had them help me make dinner. I sliced and diced and they poured and stirred. They loved helping and doing the taste test. I asked them what they thought it needed, "more salt?" and they would respond accordingly. They ate pretty well, vegetable included, but this technique takes a LOT of patience. Not sure if we can do it on a nightly basis.
Thanks again for all the input!
Cheers, Paula
My little girl thinks every night should end with ice cream. If no ice cream, chocolate...
My boy, on the other hand, could care less about junk food. He's a strong eater. I think it's just like anything else with kids, just one of many stages they'll pass through.
I read your blogs about food and I always wish you could somehow box it all up and ship it here, still steamy hot when the UPS guy drops it off...
Great idea to let them cook too!
Oh no, they have you trained. Once the grilled cheese has been given as a substitute they have been rewarded for their efforts.
Excellent idea involving them in the preparation; that will give them buy-in.
Once foods are perceived as a treat who's not going to want the treats always? Maybe saying that things like grilled cheese and mac n cheese are only for lunch would work.
Alex and Valerie have always eaten everything but we went a long time before they were even aware that many foods existed. My students think that it is on par with child abuse that Valerie is 15 and has never eaten at a MacDonalds. Valerie used to ask for a sesame baby octopus as a sample at the grocery store instead of a cookie.
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