Tots-n-Teens Tuesday

February 11, 2014

I'm often asked how I handle introducing new foods to my children. That or the sister question, "How do you get your children to LIKE the food you are serving?"

First, and most important thing I've learned is to not make LIKING the food the battle.  Here's a synopsis of how it *ideally* works at our house.

I require my children to try a bit of everything they are served. A bite I see them take. ;) They are not required to eat it if they don't like it. They are welcome to eat more of what they do like that is served at the meal, as long as there is enough. 

I don't allow them to make something other than what I've made.

If I am making a food I know someone doesn't care for or is new, I make sure to have plenty of something I know they do like.

I used to not allow dessert if they didn't eat everything on their plate, but now our dessert is our fruit, so I don't want to limit that.

If they try it I praise them. If they like it, I cheer. If they don't, I thank them for obeying and being brave to try something new. Then I leave it alone. I still serve the food to them again. And, I've found that after trying something several times in a row, most of my children eventually get to the place where they can at least tolerate a small serving of what they didn't previously like without fussing. 

 I don't allow fussing or complaining at the table. If someone worked hard to make a meal and you cannot be grateful or kind, you are excused from taking part in that meal.

Now, please understand, we still have our share of fits and tears and fears of That Big Green Pile On My Plate that occur every so often.  There are certain foods that certain children have just not come around to liking, no matter how many times I cheer them on.  But, my desire is that dinner time be a sweet time of fellowship at the table since it's one of those times we're all together, facing each other, and hearing each other's thoughts.  In order to make that happen, I need to be proactive before we get there.

I give my children the knowledge behind the choices we make. There are good resources out there written for children to understand nutrition well. When my children understand the value of the foods we are choosing to eat, they are more willing to embrace it.

I also include them, regularly, in making the meals they eat.  When they've helped to create (or grow) a new food, they are at least *torn* between excitement and apprehension on this new taste sensation.

Also, and this is totally a freebie that you may or may not want to redeem, but we started watching the reality show, Chopped, on Amazon Prime.  I gotta say, playing Chopped in the kitchen has created some GREAT fun at the table.  I'm sure many cooking shows would do, but when a child sees the science, art, and fun that food can be, well, they can't help but want to dig in and experience it to it's fullness.

Finally, Be Patient.  My children's taste buds weren't redeemed in a day.  Six months ago I didn't think my children would put away their picket signs screaming: "Give Us Cheese Else We DIE!!"  but it happened.  They still enjoy cheese and other foods we don't serve at home when we are out. But, I see those who resisted the most now showing much more restraint with foods that aren't optimal to their health.  I think this mostly comes through knowledge, maturity and growing past the knee-jerk reaction to gorge on what you think will never come again. 

The best thing I can do with a child struggling to build better habits is to pray, cheer, lead by example, and wait on the Lord for His work to be complete in them. 

In the meantime, I serve them LOTS of what I know they love and keep dicing those mushrooms itty-bitty until they come 'round. :)