NancysSummerSip
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 19:19:42 GMT -5
Posts: 36,687
Today's Mood: Full of piss and vinegar
Favorite Drink: Anything with ice
|
Post by NancysSummerSip on Jan 22, 2014 13:16:08 GMT -5
OK, y'all know I don't have kids. But I was a picky eater. This NYT article got my attention. It's called The Picky Eater Project, and it focuses on a set of twins with very different eating habits, and what their parents are doing to change the entire family's habits. The project is an ongoing thing, and I'm curious to know (provided I don't start any parental warfare by asking), if any of you think this is a good and workable approach. It sounds sane and logical, but it also requires patience and the whole family has to be involved: parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/22/a-young-picky-eater-surprises-his-parents-in-the-kitchen/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0An excerpt: ...Although she didn’t cook based on their demands, Christine spent family dinners hopping up to replace the foods the twins, primarily Andrew, rejected with something else. She wasn’t happy, and neither was Fran. For six weeks, I’ll work with Dr. David Ludwig, the director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, to help Christine and Fran encourage Andrew to expand his food choices while changing the family eating habits that have supported Andrew in his seemingly never-ending quest to eat nothing but hot dogs, meatballs and toast, toast and more toast.
Last week, Christine and Fran created a to do list based on the dinnertime challenges of their family. Here’s how they did:
•Talk about the new rules: one homemade meal at dinner. (Check) •Talk about real (grows on trees, etc) versus fake (produced in factories) food
. (Not yet) •Print the Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate and have them go through their refrigerator and pantry and fill in ideas for each section. (Talked about, but did not print) •Make one dinner each night. (Check) •Have the children help cook at least one meal this week. (Check)
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 8, 2024 14:19:14 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2014 13:37:23 GMT -5
I do ALOT of things just like my Mom did. I cook what I want for dinner but I always make sure there is something included that everyone will eat. The kids have to at least try a couple of bites of everything before they can have seconds of whatever it is I know they will eat. And no dessert or bedtime snack unless they try everything. I heard somewhere that pickiness may be attributed to being a super taster. Apparently we do not have any in our household!
|
|
milee
Senior Associate
Joined: Jan 17, 2012 13:20:00 GMT -5
Posts: 12,344
|
Post by milee on Jan 22, 2014 13:43:17 GMT -5
Not that I'm by any means an expert here (we've had good progress, but there are still things that are a challenge), but I'd add a couple more:
- Define the broad nutritional category needs and when planning meals let people request their favorites within those categories. Example - we try to focus on a lean protein, veggies+fruit and possibly a whole grain at most meals. Within those categories, we all suggest our favorites. So each meal with have the broad categories and at least one or two meals each week will have their favorites within that category.
- Don't buy any of the problem foods. Those problem foods from the example are really junky. Why even have them in the house? I never buy hot dogs - so if the kids want to eat one at a birthday party or something that's fine since it's an occasional treat. Maybe once or twice a month we have meatballs, but they're homemade with reasonably healthy ingredients. We don't ever have white bread, but sometimes will have whole wheat bread for the two that eat gluten.
- Take them to ethnic restaurants regularly. They'll discover a few favorites and that will help broaden their tastes. Most good ethnic places - Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, etc - don't have children's menus, so you can avoid the awful junk that is on most children's menus.
|
|
busymom
Distinguished Associate
Why is the rum always gone? Oh...that's why.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 21:09:36 GMT -5
Posts: 29,235
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"https://cdn.nickpic.host/images/IPauJ5.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0D317F
Mini-Profile Text Color: 0D317F
Member is Online
|
Post by busymom on Jan 22, 2014 13:44:32 GMT -5
So, my DH is a super taster?!? And here I thought he was just picky...
|
|
justme
Senior Associate
Joined: Feb 10, 2012 13:12:47 GMT -5
Posts: 14,618
|
Post by justme on Jan 22, 2014 13:46:46 GMT -5
I wish they had the internet when I was a kid. All these stories about picky kids are WAY worse than I was as a kid and I was picked on mercilessly even by the extended family about my eating habits. Still am.
|
|
sarcasticgirl
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 14:39:51 GMT -5
Posts: 5,155
Location: Chicago
|
Post by sarcasticgirl on Jan 22, 2014 13:46:49 GMT -5
I am a "picky eater" but I honestly do not like a lot of foods. It is a pain in my behind and I wish that I could make myself like things.
I am down with calling myself a "super taster"
|
|
The Captain
Junior Associate
Hugs are good...
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 16:21:23 GMT -5
Posts: 8,717
Location: State of confusion
Favorite Drink: Whinnnne
|
Post by The Captain on Jan 22, 2014 13:50:47 GMT -5
From the time she was an infant DD was exposed to all different kinds of foods. As a 6yo she used to ask for split pea soup, edamame, and other stuff most adults don't think kids will eat. As an 11yo her favorite go to restarant is one that serves Pho - with beef tendon. I love it too and DH just watches us and as we slurp it up. Yes, she still is not a huge fan of anything spicy, but we're working on that .
|
|
NoNamePerson
Distinguished Associate
Is There Anybody OUT There?
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 17:03:17 GMT -5
Posts: 26,213
Location: WITNESS PROTECTION
|
Post by NoNamePerson on Jan 22, 2014 13:53:21 GMT -5
I cooked a meal and we sat down to eat. Son ate plenty of what he liked and pretty much left the rest. But this was a 2yr old who could scarf down oysters on half shell like a pro but wouldn't touch a hot dog or hamburger if his life depended on it. As for taking him to the grocery store when - that didn't happen unless on my way home from somewhere and knew I truly needed something. He does not eat peas to this day - don't know why he just doesn't. When he was little I finally found out why he didn't like watermelon - he said it "felt" funny - texture thing. I know different times and all that but good lordy me it seems everything is being overthought to the nines. Hell adults don't like some things and like others. I eat sushi but you couldn't pay me to eat red meat. Making a big ass issue out of food seems like an eating disorder in the making JMHO!! I guess I was a bad mom who was flying by the seat of my pants where kiddo was concerned. I did it all wrong by todays standards
|
|
steph08
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 3, 2011 13:06:01 GMT -5
Posts: 5,504
|
Post by steph08 on Jan 22, 2014 13:54:57 GMT -5
I am a picky eater. I don't know why, though I might be a "super taster." I also have a problem with the consistency/texture of some foods (bananas - they are mushy yet incredibly dry - same with yogurt - creamy but leaves your whole mouth dry after you take a bite!).
I've heard that your taste buds change every 7 years, and I think that is pretty true. At 7, I was still pretty picky. At 14, I was up for trying a few new veggies. By 21, I was eating different meats, veggies, and different fruits. Now at 28, my tastebuds are alot more diverse though I still prefer my favorites and I don't like things with a lot of ingredients (I like a protein/starch/veggie combo most of the time).
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 8, 2024 14:19:14 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2014 13:56:32 GMT -5
DS and I don't eat peas either NNP! I choked them down when the kids were little to set a good example, but by the time DS was @ 4 or 5 I said "enough! I don't like them either so I guess he has my palette".
DH and DD love them so when I do serve them DS and I have a salad instead.
|
|
HoneyBBQ
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 27, 2010 10:36:09 GMT -5
Posts: 5,395
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"3b444e"}
|
Post by HoneyBBQ on Jan 22, 2014 13:57:04 GMT -5
I read an article once about letting kids pick out a new veggie or fruit to try at the grocery store can help.
Also, understanding gardens and food production processes by visiting a CSA project farm, growing your own, attending farmer's markets, etc can help little ones be more adventurous.
I am lucky and I have a very open minded eater. We did baby led weaning and just threw stuff on her tray - letting her eat what she wanted and when and not worrying about it. She likes curry, thai, salmon, etc. She may not be the world's best sleeper but she is a great eater! I cook most nights and try to be pretty diverse and have ethnic flavors and choices - and we also try to go out every week or two - letting her pick what she wants, eat off our plates, etc.
She also likes to help me cook and we talk about what mama's cooking, that we don't really eat raw sweet potatoes, samples the broccoli, etc.
We also don't really cook or eat much garbage (cookies, candy, etc).
|
|
whoisjohngalt
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:12:07 GMT -5
Posts: 9,140
|
Post by whoisjohngalt on Jan 22, 2014 13:59:55 GMT -5
I didn't read the article yet, but my approach so far has been I *think* is simple
I don't make a big deal about food, I don't say "eat at dinner time or no food for you" and I don't make anyone eat anything they don't want. I will try to accommodate your taste if you give me the respect of either trying what I made or telling me ahead of time that you don't want it. I don't do portion control for anyone except my husband.
And as far as kids are concern - I have started teaching them about nutrition and having a healthy balance.
There are no forbidden foods in our house (except the ones due to religious beliefs) and there no "yucky" foods. Anything can be eaten at any given time, except for my husband. He is not allowed to eat after dinner is over.
There was a quinoa incident last week that ended very well, so for now I am VERY hopeful.
I have no idea how it was in good ol' days in US, but I think right now everything "kids" related is so blown out of proportion with various "methods" and "parenting styles" and "teachings" that one can go insane just trying to teach some basic human functions to a child like eating, sleeping and pooping.
|
|
NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 48,083
Member is Online
|
Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jan 22, 2014 14:01:20 GMT -5
I take the approach my Pediatrician suggested. All kids go thru picky stages. I ride it out rather than trying to shove food in her face, eventually she comes back around.
I keep exposing her to whatever she doesn't like at the moment. I'm also working on the "polite bite" thing.
We model good habits. I told DH he doesn't have to like everything but no more making a production out of it. Spit it out later if you have to, but in front of the kid at least make a show of trying something new.
I look at her overall nutrition rather than measuring at each individual meal. If I go by that she's fine even if she decides she hates tonight's dinner.
I won't cook separate meals but I'll set aside plain chicken or vegetables if I think she won't like whatever I'm seasoning it with. If she doesn't want to eat that's fine but her choices for dinner then are jelly sandwich or cereal.
She loves to cook with me and buy produce at the Farmer's Market. Doesn't always translate into her eating what we make, but hopefully I'm establishing lifelong habits/skills.
I got hang-ups with food because people tried to force me to eat and "stop being so picky" (I'm really not but since I'm tiny people assume I just don't eat). I don't want to make food into an issue for Gwen.
|
|
milee
Senior Associate
Joined: Jan 17, 2012 13:20:00 GMT -5
Posts: 12,344
|
Post by milee on Jan 22, 2014 14:02:36 GMT -5
Hell adults don't like some things and like others. I eat sushi but you couldn't pay me to eat red meat. Making a big ass issue out of food seems like an eating disorder in the making JMHO!! I guess I was a bad mom who was flying by the seat of my pants where kiddo was concerned. I did it all wrong by todays standards Totally agree. Not everybody is going to like everything (and if they did, you'd worry there was something wrong with that, too!) I don't expect my kids to like everything. I just want them to have a broad enough palate so that they both get good nutrition and are able to eat in what I consider to be a socially acceptable way and not cause everybody around them great hassle because of their pickiness.
And I'm sure that whatever I'm doing will also be wrong when my grandkids examine it. I'm sure they'll be saying something like: Kale? How could you serve them something as _______ as that? What, were you trying to kill them?!?
|
|
NoNamePerson
Distinguished Associate
Is There Anybody OUT There?
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 17:03:17 GMT -5
Posts: 26,213
Location: WITNESS PROTECTION
|
Post by NoNamePerson on Jan 22, 2014 14:02:49 GMT -5
AMEN.
|
|
NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 48,083
Member is Online
|
Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jan 22, 2014 14:04:06 GMT -5
not cause everybody around them great hassle because of their pickiness.
You've met my husband?
|
|
milee
Senior Associate
Joined: Jan 17, 2012 13:20:00 GMT -5
Posts: 12,344
|
Post by milee on Jan 22, 2014 14:10:43 GMT -5
not cause everybody around them great hassle because of their pickiness.
You've met my husband? Are you my sister? When she first met her husband, he introduced himself as a vegetarian. Turns out, he's not really vegetarian, just an incredibly picky eater. Honestly, I don't really care what he eats - he's an adult and it's not my business or problem. But for a long time it was a huge PITA issue because family meals had to be planned around his preferences and eating out was a nightmare between the limited number of places he'd go and the fact that he was very vocal and whiny about everything. Of course when you're in a family, you do your best to accommodate everyone, but when one person totally dictates every meal, that's a problem, IMHO.
I also remember what a nightmare it was at work when you'd be on a team with one of the few picky eaters. At the job I'm remembering, the team ate out together almost every lunch and a good portion of dinners as well (traveling) and it was always really unpleasant when the entire team had to limit their eating to a few certain places to accommodate one picky person.
I don't expect my boys to like everything, but I do expect them to be able to interact politely with others and in my opinion, that involves some flexibility.
|
|
NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 48,083
Member is Online
|
Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jan 22, 2014 14:17:48 GMT -5
DH has never claimed he's a vegetarian. Perish the thought of not having meat at every meal!
I've learned from having to eat dinner at MIL's why DH's palatte sucks. She's very much a cream of X soup, canned veggies cooked till their mush type of cook. Sometimes I can't eat what she makes. It's salt/processed food overload.
How can you develop a good palatte if that's what you eat on a regular basis? My mom never cooked like that (she hated it as a kid and wasn't going to force it on us) so I have a totally different concept of food.
Overtime I've re-wired his palatte. It's dawned on him he doesn't hate certain things, he just hates the way his mom cooks them.
It's taken me 10 years but he's become a lot more open to new foods. Course the bar wasn't set very high to begin with.
He can still be an ass at times. He's an adult so he can behave how he pleases, my only request is he keeps a lid on it around Gwen.
|
|
NoNamePerson
Distinguished Associate
Is There Anybody OUT There?
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 17:03:17 GMT -5
Posts: 26,213
Location: WITNESS PROTECTION
|
Post by NoNamePerson on Jan 22, 2014 14:23:09 GMT -5
I'm practially a vegetarian except that I eat fish. I have NEVER been anywhere that I didn't have a choice of vegetables to eat whether it was a friends/family/resturant. No one has to tip toe around me about such a thing. I don't get it. Even a steak house has vegetables. The first mistake is cowtowing to him. I guess I don't tolerate prima donnas very well. I can eat lasgna at a friends house without them realizing I haven't eaten the meat in it. I just slide a small piece of the noodle aside and (discretely) kinda put the meat under it and napkin on top when finished. I did this last year when visiting an out of town friend that I hadn't seen in some time and she didn't know. Now I will say if all you serve me is a piece of liver I will barf right then and there and no way to fake that.....
|
|
Peace77
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 1:42:40 GMT -5
Posts: 3,991
|
Post by Peace77 on Jan 22, 2014 14:57:04 GMT -5
My DH is a picky eater. He won't eat peanut butter (or any nut butter), any kind of salad, any green leafy vegetable, any kind of sauce including mayo, mustard or gravy (except ketchup).
He eats only a few vegetables and rarely any fruit. I insist that he eat some kind of veggie for dinner.
I have insisted that that we go to ethnic restaurants. He will eat gyro meat with pita bread or a chicken kabob. He prefers Chinese buffets that serve American food.
|
|
NancysSummerSip
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 19:19:42 GMT -5
Posts: 36,687
Today's Mood: Full of piss and vinegar
Favorite Drink: Anything with ice
|
Post by NancysSummerSip on Jan 22, 2014 15:09:12 GMT -5
DH has never claimed he's a vegetarian. Perish the thought of not having meat at every meal!
I've learned from having to eat dinner at MIL's why DH's palatte sucks. She's very much a cream of X soup, canned veggies cooked till their mush type of cook. Sometimes I can't eat what she makes. It's salt/processed food overload.
How can you develop a good palatte if that's what you eat on a regular basis? My mom never cooked like that (she hated it as a kid and wasn't going to force it on us) so I have a totally different concept of food.
Overtime I've re-wired his palatte. It's dawned on him he doesn't hate certain things, he just hates the way his mom cooks them.
It's taken me 10 years but he's become a lot more open to new foods. Course the bar wasn't set very high to begin with.
He can still be an ass at times. He's an adult so he can behave how he pleases, my only request is he keeps a lid on it around Gwen.
OMG - you and I have the same husband and MIL. I like my MIL, but her cooking is classic Midwestern-meat-at-every-meal-plus-cream-of-crap sides. And Jello molds. Can't forget those. I do freelance food writing, so my husband has been rewired by lack of choice - if he wants to go to new restaurants, food markets, shows and so on, he has to get used to new foods, or get left behind. And he's gotten much better, sometimes even taking the lead on finding new places to eat. I was at a local greenmarket this past weekend, and snapped a photo (for my column) of a mom with her two kids. They were at a produce vendor, and the kids were having a blast. It was cold out, the place was crowded, but they were very well-behaved, asking about the different vegetables and being allowed to pick and choose and help bag and pay for them. I thought that was really where it all starts: getting the kids involved early, in terms of their ages and in terms of the food prep process.
|
|
Peace Of Mind
Senior Associate
[font color="#8f2520"]~ Drinks Well With Others ~[/font]
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 16:53:02 GMT -5
Posts: 15,554
Location: Paradise
|
Post by Peace Of Mind on Jan 22, 2014 15:13:05 GMT -5
I don't have kids but I'd have used my parent's method. I would cook what I wanted and to those that whined about what it was would be told that children are starving in China and they need to eat their God damned food that I've prepared and served! None of us were malnourished or died but our dog was very fat.
|
|
NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 48,083
Member is Online
|
Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jan 22, 2014 15:15:23 GMT -5
so my husband has been rewired by lack of choice -
So has DH because I refuse to cook/eat like that. Technically if he really wanted he could buy Hot Pockets and fast food but he doesn't appear motivated to make a stand on the subject. Since I don't really cook much from boxes/cans Gwen hasn't developed a taste for it. Drives my MIL nuts that Gwen won't eat Spaghetti O's, Hot dogs or boxed Mac & Cheese because that's all the other grandkids will eat so that's what she has in the house. I'm thrilled my kid isn't "normal".
|
|
Sum Dum Gai
Senior Associate
Joined: Aug 15, 2011 15:39:24 GMT -5
Posts: 19,892
|
Post by Sum Dum Gai on Jan 22, 2014 15:19:59 GMT -5
Nothing wrong with the occasional hot dog, but I tried Spaghetti O's as an adult, and almost wretched. Those things are friggin nasty. I loved them as a kid, but clearly my taste buds aren't what they used to be.
I still love Mac & Cheese though. A little ground beef and some pepper... that's good eatin' right there.
|
|
NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 48,083
Member is Online
|
Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jan 22, 2014 15:23:50 GMT -5
I like a good hot dog every now and then. Boiled Oscar Meyer, not so much. Hot dogs, Kraft and Spagetti O's is pretty much the entire diet of DH's niece and nephew. MIL can't comprehend why Gwen doesn't eat the same way.
|
|
Sum Dum Gai
Senior Associate
Joined: Aug 15, 2011 15:39:24 GMT -5
Posts: 19,892
|
Post by Sum Dum Gai on Jan 22, 2014 15:25:58 GMT -5
Boiled hot dogs are nasty. Pretty much any meat is bad boiled. Meat should be prepared over open flames, or in a pan over open flames. The carcinogens you get from searing the meat are the good part.
|
|
whoisjohngalt
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:12:07 GMT -5
Posts: 9,140
|
Post by whoisjohngalt on Jan 22, 2014 15:31:37 GMT -5
OK, I just read the article.
Either I am the bestest and the smartest parent who did everything right or I am incredibly lucky with my boys, bc there is no way I could do that kind of system. I got tired just reading about it and now need a nap. I hope it works for that family bc it's sure is a lot of work.
Like I said, I just don't make the big production out of it. Sometimes, the less you concentrate on something, the easier it flows.
|
|
whoisjohngalt
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:12:07 GMT -5
Posts: 9,140
|
Post by whoisjohngalt on Jan 22, 2014 15:33:03 GMT -5
Boiled hot dogs are nasty. Pretty much any meat is bad boiled. Meat should be prepared over open flames, or in a pan over open flames. The carcinogens you get from searing the meat are the good part. LOL, I grew up on boiled hot dogs. Or fried. There was no such thing as grill where I am from and I don't think anyone ever thought of putting it in the oven. Boilded hot dogs and mashed potatoes were my one of my favorites food
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 8, 2024 14:19:14 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2014 15:47:53 GMT -5
DD is picky. I never considered it a problem that needed to be fixed. I don't want her to stress about food. If I don't want her to have something, I don't bring it into the house. If she doesn't like what is for dinner, she will eat the parts she likes or I will make her something that is quick. At least once a week she has Annies mac n cheese. She has finally gotten so bored with her food that she is trying all kinds of new things now. Still hates all things potato though.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 8, 2024 14:19:14 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2014 15:48:07 GMT -5
I like boiled hot dogs, but only the "real" kind from the butcher. Not the grocery store ones.
I have one kid that I can't get to eat anything and one that eats everything put in front of him. I don't know. I raised them both the same as far as feeding them.
|
|