One of the top things parents of toddlers worry about is food. Is the kid eating enough? Is he eating too much? Too many snacks? Not eating vegetables? Only eating bread? Toddlers are known for being picky eaters, but there are ways to help ensure that they develop a taste for healthy foods and don't become picky eaters for life.
It's ironic that food is one area that has gone really well for us with Ian, since I'm a pretty picky eater, but I give credit for our success to the French feeding habits that we've implemented. The French have a whole different attitude towards food and meals, and French kids just aren't picky eaters. If you're dealing with a picky toddler or wanting to help your baby sail through toddlerhood without stressing about food, check out some of the tips I've borrowed from the French.
It's ironic that food is one area that has gone really well for us with Ian, since I'm a pretty picky eater, but I give credit for our success to the French feeding habits that we've implemented. The French have a whole different attitude towards food and meals, and French kids just aren't picky eaters. If you're dealing with a picky toddler or wanting to help your baby sail through toddlerhood without stressing about food, check out some of the tips I've borrowed from the French.
1. French kids eat four times a day. No exceptions. There is breakfast in the morning, lunch around noon, an afternoon snack between lunch and dinner, and dinner. There is no "second breakfast" or midmorning snack, and no snacking while running errands or diving in the car. And guess what? The kids are fine! They're not starving. I had started to get into the habit of always carrying snacks with us when we were out at the store, and Ian was getting used to snacking throughout the morning (whenever he signed for food, I gave him something). Then I was reminded of the French lack of snacking, and started trying to distract Ian when he asked for something, instead of just giving him the food. After just two or three days, he didn't even ask anymore! He just waited until lunch. The best part was that he was hungry enough at lunch to really eat! And that brings me to French food habit number two...
2. Serve the appetizer before the main course. I know this sounds all fancy and complicated, but it's not! It's fantastic. The appetizers I'm describing below all take under 5 minutes to prepare, and they're all vegetables! Since Ian hasn't snacked throughout the morning, he is hungry, and will at least try whatever is put in front of him. He works on the veggie, while I get his main course ready (instead of bugging me while I try to fix the food). By serving the vegetable first, when the child is really hungry, they're more likely to eat it.
3. Don't give up just because they don't like it the first time (or second or third). Research shows that it takes around 13 times or so of trying something before someone likes it, so kids just have to keep trying things! The French don't say "oh, he doesn't like that," when a child rejects a food. They tell the kid "that's okay, you'll like it when you're older - you just haven't tried it enough times yet." Just having that attitude makes a big difference. I know it's annoying to throw away food if they don't eat it, but think of it as part of a training program. The food isn't totally wasted, as long as they tried it - every time they taste it, they're a little closer to liking it.
2. Serve the appetizer before the main course. I know this sounds all fancy and complicated, but it's not! It's fantastic. The appetizers I'm describing below all take under 5 minutes to prepare, and they're all vegetables! Since Ian hasn't snacked throughout the morning, he is hungry, and will at least try whatever is put in front of him. He works on the veggie, while I get his main course ready (instead of bugging me while I try to fix the food). By serving the vegetable first, when the child is really hungry, they're more likely to eat it.
3. Don't give up just because they don't like it the first time (or second or third). Research shows that it takes around 13 times or so of trying something before someone likes it, so kids just have to keep trying things! The French don't say "oh, he doesn't like that," when a child rejects a food. They tell the kid "that's okay, you'll like it when you're older - you just haven't tried it enough times yet." Just having that attitude makes a big difference. I know it's annoying to throw away food if they don't eat it, but think of it as part of a training program. The food isn't totally wasted, as long as they tried it - every time they taste it, they're a little closer to liking it.
^^Tomato and mozzarella, with olive oil and basil. This is super quick to put together and looks lovely (it's never too soon for babies to appreciate a meal with nice presentation). Ian is not a big fan of tomatoes, so he usually gobbles up the cheese right away and doesn't eat all the tomatoes. That's okay, because I try to feed him a couple bites of the tomato and cheese together, and he usually at least tries it (even if he spits it out, he's been exposed to the flavor again, so that's helping develop the taste). Plus, while I'm busy getting his main course ready, he often picks at the tomato after he finishes the cheese, since he's just sitting in the high chair waiting.
^^Cucumber slices with yogurt. Kids love to dip things, so this is fun! I usually use vanilla yogurt, but any kind will do (Siggi's brand has a yogurt made with whole milk and low sugar). Ian is starting to warm up to this one. The first couple of times he dipped the cucumber slices and sucked the yogurt from them. Now he takes little bites of the cucumbers.
^^Carrots with rosemary and basil. These carrots come in packs of four individual servings by Libby's (you can find them among the canned vegetables). They're great! They have beans, carrots, peas, and corn. I just microwave one of the cups for about 30 seconds, add butter, rosemary and basil, and voila! Ready. Ian LOVES these. He can't get enough of them.
^^Guacamole with chips. Another dipping favorite. Now, if you're making the guacamole from scratch, this one will probably take longer than five minutes. Ian usually has this a few times after I've already made a batch of guacamole and stored it in the fridge.
Here's my quick and easy guac recipe: 4 avocados, 2 tomatoes, 1/2 large red onion, handful of cilantro, juice of half a lime, salt to taste. Chop everything up and mix it together. Simple and delicious!
Here's my quick and easy guac recipe: 4 avocados, 2 tomatoes, 1/2 large red onion, handful of cilantro, juice of half a lime, salt to taste. Chop everything up and mix it together. Simple and delicious!
^^Green beans with butter and garlic salt. This is another one of the Libby's single serve cups. Just microwave and add butter and garlic salt. And it's ready! Ian loves these too. It's so nice to be able to get this ready in under a minute and get him started eating while I get the rest of his lunch ready.
^^Peppers with hummus. This is another one that can take more time if you're making the hummus from scratch. I usually make a double batch when I make it and then freeze small portions for later. You can also just buy it and be done with it!
^^Avocado with olive oil and salt. Ian goes nuts for avocado. He wasn't very into it the first few times, but I kept introducing it. Now he adores it. For this I just cut some slices of avocado, drizzle with olive oil, and add a touch of salt. Yum! Done in a moment, and so good for the little ones' brains!
^^Shredded carrots with vinaigrette and basil. I usually have carrots in the fridge, so I shred a little and mix up a tiny dressing in one of those medicine cups that comes with the children's Tylonol. I pour in a little olive oil and add a dash of apple cider vinegar, mix and drizzle on the carrots. Then I just sprinkle on a little basil (and sometimes a touch of salt and/or pepper, depending on my mood). This isn't Ian's favorite, but he eats some of it - sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on HIS mood ;)
^^Frozen peas. Okay, this is the easiest one of all, and it gets served around here more often than I probably care to admit. This one is literally just some frozen peas that I dump out of the bag from the freezer. Ian loves these, and they are great for teething babies/toddlers (or for when your little one has Hand-Foot-Mouth and his mouth and throat hurt). The coldness feels great to them, they're easy to pick up, and they're healthy!
I hope this is helpful for anyone struggling with a picky toddler! If you try some of these, I'd love to hear how it goes. Do you have tips for taking the stress out of feeding toddlers or know some quick and easy appetizers or side dishes? Share in the comments!
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