I hate food lists. They're misleading and misused. Here's one that showed up in my inbox recently: Read the rest of the list. Food lists that are geared towards parents of toddlers are especially misleading. They make parents feel like there are special foods for toddlers. Items little kids are supposed to eat. That's a myth. Toddlers can (and should) eat … [Read more...]
Kid Eats Q&A: What do you think of puree pouches?
Puree pouches are all the rage right now. And not just for little kids either. My almost 11 year old daughter squeezes one into her mouth for snack at least twice a week. That's why I was particularly glad to get this question from Molly. What is your opinion of what we call around our house "mish mash," those little pouches of pureed fruits or … [Read more...]
Are “Child-Friendly” Foods Really Gateway Drugs?
Yesterday, Psychology Today changed the title of my post from “Are Child-Friendly Foods Really Gateway Drugs” to “The Truth About ‘Child-Friendly’ Foods.” I understand the desire to be cautious. After all, it’s not my usual style to be so provocative. But in this case, I have to say I was seriously disappointed by the change. I chose my words carefully. There’s … [Read more...]
Kid Eats Q&A: What do I do about feeding other people’s kids at my house?
other people's kids Thanks to Stephanie for posting this question on my Facebook page. I don’t think there are many trickier situations in the parenting world than feeding other people’s kids. Especially, when, as Stephanie points out, these other kids’ don’t eat the foods you normally serve. “Their normal diets consist of chicken nuggets, hot dogs, pizza, chips, etc. … [Read more...]
Repost: The 10 Most “Dangerous” Foods
Here's an oldie but a goodie. In light of all the renewed conversation about childhood obesity, school lunches and marketing of foods to kids, I thought readers might enjoy this post a second time around. ============================== I want to be clear: the items on this list aren't dangerous in the sense that they are poisonous. But they are dangerous in the sense … [Read more...]
“Do No Harm” Snacking
Before you start searching for healthy snack ideas, answer the following question. What is a healthy snack? Is it primarily defined by: A) The presence of “good” nutrients? B) The absence of “bad” nutrients? If my experiences and observations are anything to go on, most parents would (rightfully) say the answer is A, but act as if the answer is B. How else can we … [Read more...]
Why Toddlers Don’t Eat Vegetables
Want to know why toddlers reject vegetables? Most parents inadvertently teach them to. No one does it deliberately, “Hey, we’ve got to stop this veggie-eating thing. It’s time to make sure Lucy loathes lima beans.” But most parents don’t actively help their children cultivate a taste for vegetables. In fact, they teach their kids to prefer other kinds of flavors … [Read more...]
Falafel for Breakfast
Falafel. That’s what my daughter was eating the other morning for breakfast. I’m not crowing (ok, maybe I am just a little) but my purpose here isn’t simply to give myself a big congratulatory blog-hug. It's to fill you in on an easy technique that can revolutionize how your kids eat. Parents ask me all the time how they can expand the repertoire of foods their kids eat, … [Read more...]