"Fussy" or "Difficult Eater" aren't helpful descriptions or labels when a child is still figuring out what their likes and dislikes are. I'm constantly reminding myself that tastes change as the age grows and funnily enough I "grew out of fussiness with food" when I moved out of home at 18.
We don't make a fuss about food. I make meals that I know we all like. I adapt aspects of the dinner to suit who likes what. For instance, if stir fry is on the menu. I know that Roman and Leo both like chicken, vegetables and rice but not the sauce. It's easier to remove a portion for each before the sauce is added, than to argue with them at the dinner table. I know that in years to come that will change and they may come around to liking the sauce. Just as Roman has started enjoying broccoli and eggs when he once turned his nose at them.
My other "tactic" is to involve my kids in lots of fun kitchen activities. Making pizza, cakes, baked treats, quiches etc.
As a result of that, Roman (who will be 7 in March) is very confident in the kitchen and asks each day if he can make something! The best part of this, is that typically if he makes it, he will eat it and usually Leo will give it a try too!
Yesterday, Roman wanted to make a smoothie. He did it all himself (I did check that the lid was on the blender properly!), adding water, frozen mango & blueberries, some grapes, spinach and a cucumber!
He drank up 2 cups of smoothie (Leo wouldn't try it) and there was heaps left over. I suggested he pour the rest into our ice block moulds and freeze them for the next day. Perhaps a breakfast ice block?!
Guess who also loved the spinach/cucumber/fruity breakfast ice blocks? Leo, of course!
Now I'm counting down until Roman can cook dinner 😉
Shara x
Hi Mama Shara, I agree it is not a good idea to put labels on children too. My first loved diverse foods from the day he started eating and started helping in the kitchen at 18 months but my second is a little more "fussy." Sometimes when a little one is being fussy" they may be interested later in a couple of months or years so it is always good to try again, hey. Romans interest and skills in the kitchen is fantastic. I like your new blog btw.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great way to learn about food from an early age Shara. I could never understand families making seperate meals to cater for different tastes. Sounds like you will have many helping hands in years to come. Congrats on your baby news! cheers Wendy
ReplyDeleteMy boys are the WORST eaters EVER (I wont call them fussy ;) ) I must admit it is a struggle to make healthy food that everyone will eat, because they don't eat anything. I know they will grow out of it (hopefully) and I still make food eventhough they will often not even try it, but it does frustrate me as I usually have to end up making something else for them. And please share some smoothie recipes with us.xxx
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