You let your kids eat what??

ojell

We typically eat the same food..I just eat smaller portions than I used to. I have always encouraged them to make healthy choices. For years, they ate healthier than me! I was a closet snacker. One thing they have a hard time listening to me on is snack versus treat type foods because the majority of their friends have foods that I personally consider "treats" as their everyday snacks. So, that's a bit of a battle that I have with them once in a while. For the most part, they make good choices. I don't keep junk food in the house. I buy it as a treat once in a while.

frugalmomsrock

We eat pretty uniformly the same. Sometimes the sides are things that I know my kids don't like (brussel sprouts, as an example). I say they have to take one and eat it, and they can have the stuff they like with it. I always make sure there is at least one thing for supper that they LIKE so that they can get a decent amount of food. I will usually have a salad (so will my husband and one of my daughters), but the rest of the kids don't like salad. They get to have whatever veggie I make. I try to stick to fairly healthy recipes that we can all enjoy.

My one son pretty much refuses to eat meat, so it's a little more difficult for him to eat what we usually have (the only meat he'll eat is a turkey burger or shredded chicken in a gravy over brown rice--other than that, forget it!). He ends up with cheerios for supper half the nights a week...

kittymoney

I try to incorporate what I eat in the meals I cook for the rest of my family, however, I still end up cooking multiple dinners. My husband and step son pretty much eat the same things (my husband has more 'fresh' stuff do to his diabetes), my daughter would rather have salad and fruit....so a lot of times she has a different dinner; my son is low functioning autistic with serious sensory issue and food has always been a difficult thing so he eats "his" foods; and then there's me.

We rarely all eat the same thing, and when Pizza Friday rolls around....Im always eating something else!

My son had the same sensory issues when he was younger and diagnoised as being autistic. He has come a long ways and is no longer diagnoised as being autistic but has had sensory issues. He is getting better at trying different meats and finds that mustard helps him to eat meat since he doesn't care for ketscup or bbq sauce items. He still has a lot of touch sensitive issues with his skin and such. Small strides = huge progress

XjuliaXannX

my mom did the same thing. If you don't eat what you are given, then you don't and that is what you're given next time. Children shouldn't dictate to the parent what they will and won't eat. just gives them the idea later in life that they will get their own way on other situations.

dgn5cs

If I didn't eat what my mother gave me she would serve it up to me for my next meal. I'm not a parent, so I'm probably going to get flamed here, but when did parents start pandering to kids like this? I'm just curious, did the parents of this generation do that? Mine didn't and certainly the previous generation couldn't afford to.

If my parents were having something I didn't like, my mother always made me buttered noodles. I can tell you if my mother did what yours did, I would have starved to death.

Unknown

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skinnybearlyndsay

My Mom served only one dinner. We had to at least *try* everything on our plates. But we weren't allowed to have a treat later if we didn't eat a good portion of our food. My sister, who was a pickier eater than me as a kid (now I seem to be the pickier eater), was told once that since she always complained that she didn't like something, to make herself a PBJ sandwich. She did. It only took once.

I don't have kids, but I believe what my Mom told us. One meal, unless they want to make it themselves, and you have to *try* everything on the plate.

Stinkerbelle84

My mom definately did the same thing! If she was going to invest her time (and money) on preparing a meal, then we were REQUIRED to eat it. I can remember when I first got my own car, job, etc. I didn't like what she cooked, so I was going to go run through a drive through. Well, that was my *kitten*! Not only did I not get to to to the drive through, but I also didn't get what she cooked, lol.

foster59803

my kids (4 & 6) eat what we eat, every night, no matter what is served. i actually cook, nothing out of the box for the most part, and my kids eat it with minimal complaining. my eldest doesn't like 'slimy' stuff, such as sauteed onions, or mushy zucchini and eggplant, but she eats most of what she's served even still.
i have no suggestions for how to make your kids start, but know that they are completely capable of doing it, just like we all did. my mother NEVER would have made a separate meal, and frankly neither would I. no dinner=no dessert...even if that dessert is an orange!

YES! Same here, two girls 8 and 5... my girls eat what we eat. Always have, even when they were little. They must! try everything before they say they don't like it. I don't make them clean their plate... but they need to have a little bit of everything i serve. My oldest daughter does not like avocados for example, so when they are served in a salad I allow her to pick them out, no problem. But when she picks them out I I explain to her what health benefits are in that avocado and why it is good for her body. I try really hard to teach them where food comes from, what vitamins/minerals it has, how it benefits their body. And if they decide they don't want to eat something that is served... then no desert (whatever that might be). They get to make their choice... but I am not a short order cook and refuse to make two different meals. Just my two cents.

Maryaly40

bump...I am so guilty of this :sad:

mamamc03

If my 5 year old daughter does not want what was made....then tough! She either eats it or doesn't. She will normally get VERY emotional and worry about not having supper, so she'll cave. But, I've always done this and I HATE HATE HATE it when her grandparents give in...but that is their job. :ohwell:

So stick to your guns. But next time you are grocery shopping....buy healthier versions of her favorites. Like last night we had Peas of Mind Broccoli Veggie Wedgie fries. Super yummy & made her quite happy! Michelina's Light entrees has a pizza bites dish that is yummy & makes you feel like it's junk. BUT its not!!

xxslvrxwngsxx

If I didn't eat what my mom cooked I went without. If you let your kids run your menu then be prepared to eat mac and cheese and chicken nuggets EVERY night... My kids will eat what I cook or go to bed hungry. I'm not worried, They will eat when they get hungry enough. It frustrates me when people let their kids have anything they want because they are "picky".

Kailel

Oh, and one more thing...I think the worst thing you can do to your kids is give food more importance than it deserves.
Obsessing in front of them about bad foods and good foods, or teaching them that there's some kind of moral superiority in eating unprocessed food...I don't think that's mentally healthy. Teach them that healthy food is tasty, but don't flip out if they like fried, frozen, genetically engineered dinosaur nuggets, either. Just limit their access to it.

We were having a 'picnic' that consisted of Happy Meals in the park awhile back, and this eight or nine year-old came up and started to lecture us about how terrible MacDonalds food was. About how he only ate vegetarian, whole foods. God, he went on and ooooooon about it! If it had been my kid, I would have smacked him. Since he wasn't, I told him that he was being very judgmental, and it wasn't right to try to make people feel bad because they were different from him.

Heh heh. I could see the little wheels in his head turning, trying to figure out if it was worse to be judgemental or unhealthy...He shut his mouth and went away.

Darn kids. Get off my lawn.

LOL! You made my day.

Though a word to the parents with chicken nugget addicted kids... when your chicken nugget addicted kids become chicken nugget addicted adults, it's not good form for you to tell your son's girlfriend that it's her job to make him eat healthy now. I can tell you that it's very frustrating to try and tell a 23 year old what to eat when his mother never did. :explode:

rebecca_chess

Most of the time my 5 year old will eat whatever we are having. However, when I fix a spicy Cajun or Mexican meal I don't expect him to eat it and will prepare him something else. Even if he does have frozen chicken nuggets, he will have at least two veggies right beside of them and must eat the majority of the veggies. I encourage him to try new things....sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't.....I don't make a big deal about it.

As a child, if my Mother wanted me to try something and I refused to take a bite, I had to sit there until I did or until it was bedtime. I didn't eat it. I just sat in the same spot and did not eat. This happened on many occassions at lunch time and I had to sit there ALL DAY....lol. I choose not to partake in this type of battle with my child.

ajalcazar

Between everything that my family does and is involved in, we dont always have time to plan ahead for stuff like this and because of that we have a lot of freezer to microwave or oven meals and a lot of quick boxed stove top meals. My wife has enough metabolism for the whole family and my kids have picked up that part of her. When we do have the time, we most certainly try to incorporate my healthier habits into the family meal. Either way, healthy or not so much, they eat what is put in front of them.

yoovie

my parents made me eat soap.

That's because you were bad

My parents made us finish whatever was on our frickin plate, if you didn't, you sat there until you did....after a few cold meals we learned to finish quickly whether we liked it or not

My parents made me sit at the table until my food was gone too.

THIS WAS A VERY EFFECTIVE WAY TO TEACH ME THAT I HAVE TO EAT EVEN WHEN MY BODY IS *NOT* HUNGRY!

jb852013

If I do not consider a food to be healthy and I will not eat it then I do not serve it to my children very often. I do buy lunchables and Kid Quizines, but very very rarely. It's a very big treat to them and they are very excited to have them. I have been struggling with nutrition recently, so my kiddos foods haven't been as nutritious as they used to be. Trying to get back into eating right. Today we had whole wheat pita bread sandwiches with chicken, cheese, avacado, and tomatoe and each of us got a bag of baked chips. Healthy for all of us and kid friendly. For snacks I try to make sure that they eat fruit instead of chips or brownies. I don't get feeding children unhealthy foods while making sure you (all parents - not specifically the op) have good healthy nutrition. If I were to do that I would feel that I am being a bit selfish. However, I have average healthy children with no problems such as diabeties or other health issues. Their little bodies are growing very fast and nutrition is very important for them. Also, if they are taught to eat terrible food when they are growing up that is what they will learn to eat and most likely will be struggling with those habits as adults when they start to gain weight from eating too much junk.

foster59803

One more thing... kids are very visual... so I let my girls look though food magazines ( love Martha Stewart Every Day Food) typically good food that is fairly easy to make and even lists the majority of calorie counts for meals. They look the the magazine every month and pick out food that "looks tasty". Then I incorporate those meals into our week... if they want they get to help, and when they pick it out and help, they are normally excited to see what it taste like. I have gotten my girls to eat all kinds of things this way. Good luck to you. Being a mom is a hard job, but teaching your kids how to eat healthy will benefit them their entire life.

dgn5cs

If I didn't eat what my mother gave me she would serve it up to me for my next meal. I'm not a parent, so I'm probably going to get flamed here, but when did parents start pandering to kids like this? I'm just curious, did the parents of this generation do that? Mine didn't and certainly the previous generation couldn't afford to.

If my parents were having something I didn't like, my mother always made me buttered noodles. I can tell you if my mother did what yours did, I would have starved to death.

I have 5 kids and we have a saying at our house: "LTTB" which translates to "Long time 'til breakfast." If my kids don't care for what's on their plates they have to have two bites to try it and then they don't get anything else until breakfast. I teach appreciation and manners over whether or not your tummy is full. If they don't care for what I'm serving they can do without. Children will not starve themselves to death! People are always commenting on how polite my children are, and they are amazed that my children will eat anything I do - even sushi!

Sure we have Oreos or ice cream for a treat once in a while after school, but for the most part we don't have a dessert after dinner. By the way, my kids are not overweight because we hike and bicycle and they play at the park, etc. I'm not what I consider a health nut, but I serve balanced meals for my family, and since I'm trying to lose weight (I've lost 9 pounds since Jan. 1st - maybe 5 more to go) I'll forego the starch and just have the meat and veggies. I don't see a diet or any other circumstance as an opportunity to pander to my children. They have to be taught to be appreciative and to take responsibility for the decisions they make - food or otherwise.

judy20in2011

I am not one to strong arm my kid into eating something they truly seem to detest. Aren't you really teaching your child that food is now about power and control? I don't want my kids thinking food is something of a control issue. That being said, I am not a short order cook. I do try to plan ahead and if I am making something I know my EXTREMELY picky 6 yr old won't eat I will make one alternative for her. She used to eat EVERYTHING and then she hit 3 and somehow dinner became evil! If she flat out refuses to eat then she will go to bed with no dinner. And she is not the least bit fazed by it! I do require that she stay at the table until the rest are done eating as dinner is more than just the food. I buy healthy food, and a few treats but she definitely has to earn the treats by making healthy choices too. A wise doctor once told me "kids will eat what they need naturally" so as long as I don't allow her to go free-willy on junk I am trusting her body to guide her, along with some encouragement from me! She's growing and healthy so something's gotta be working!

cheykota

I have four kids, and they eat what I cook. I have never believed in making multiple meals, but I don't force them to eat. If they don't like the food, they are welcome to wait until the next meal to eat. I can assure you that none of my kids turns down the food provided to them. It's a long time until breakfast if they are too picky to eat dinner, and they know how hungry they will be. They aren't going to starve to death if they choose not to eat. I educate my children about why I choose to eat like I do, and I choose to feed them the same foods because I want them to be healthy. I don't keep junk food in the house, but I don't forbid them from eating "bad" foods. When they are with friends or visiting family members, they get to choose what they put in their bodies. They know that most foods are okay in moderation, and they usually make pretty good choices.

ahersh00

This isn't answering the OP question...but... Annie's makes some tasty organic "kid friendly" food... at least it's organic!

Sleekit

If I didn't eat what my mother gave me she would serve it up to me for my next meal. I'm not a parent, so I'm probably going to get flamed here, but when did parents start pandering to kids like this? I'm just curious, did the parents of this generation do that? Mine didn't and certainly the previous generation couldn't afford to.

Agreed. My parents were the same. And are STILL the same. They served one meal for everyone. Granted, it was usually a healthy meal that was balanced. But if all I wanted to eat was a giant pile of mashed potatoes, I would not get to. It had to be everything or most of what my mother or father put on my plate. I don't think you need to feel bad for giving you kid KD or something every once in a while. It is not going to kill them or make them obese as long as it is not what your feeding them for every meal every day. Kids need a lot of physical activity too-- lots more than the average gets. So keep that in mind when you are trying to set an example. Try doing active things that are good for your health AND theirs!

- Not a parent, but an Early Childhood Educator

BeetleChe13

I guess I was a strange kid. Chocolate was my only weakness. I'm not saying I ate really healthy all the time, but my mom never even had to ask me to eat my veggies. I loved broccoli and carrots. She did burn me out on chicken, but I ate it because that was what we were having. No discussion or other choices available.

wittlelacey

I'm by no means a parent, but when I am a parent I'm not going to be the careless kind that fixates bad eating habits from the beginning. My parents are definitely guilty of this. Up until I was 16 I was eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and never exercising. And I resented my parents for not having better choices in the house and getting me involved in sports or a gym. We were a lazy family. I understand that kids deserve treats, so of course it wouldn't be nice to rid of these one hundred percent, but a balance of healthy foods and snacks is perfect to break the bad habits from the start. When it comes to dinner, I would ideally think one meal is perfect. If it's tasty and healthy enough for you, it should suffice for your child. After all, I'm sure they've had a processed snack or two throughout the day, a healthy meal won't kill them and it will condition them to enjoy the healthy meals they're consuming. Just a thought

skatters

There are a 100 different opinions on this topic, but I'll tell you how I handle it. I have 3 kids to feed - 11yr, 17yr, and 21yr old. First off, I decided to never make food a battle. The kids have free access to the healthy snacks... variety of fruits and vegetables and protein sources, like cottage cheese, string cheese, boiled eggs and yogurts. I try to make sure there is plenty available to chose from. My kids have their different hunger levels, and I don't want to limit or monitor foods - so they can have unlimited quantities. They can eat as much as they want - of those foods listed above. Instead of worrying about "bad" foods, we worry about the nutritional quality of different foods. "Hey son, there isn't alot of nutritional value in those doritos... make sure you pay attention to the serving size and save room for something more nutritious." "Bad" foods aren't bad... but I want my kids to be aware that they don't have much nutritional value, and to treat it as such.

When my kids were younger, I would make comments like "Oh wow, we are late for lunch - I bet your body is just screaming for some baby carrots right now!" "Your tongue may want chicken nuggets but your body wants a sweet apple - how can you get the two to compromise?" "I am going to bring cheese with us to the park, because I know you will need a snack and I want to give you something to help give your body more energy!" With one of my children, I pretended to listen to their wrist, and their body would "tell" me what it needed. "Oh boy - your body says it needs vegetables!! Let's hurry and go chose one!"

One of my favorite sayings now, with older children is "Looks like you are slowing down. Is your body saying it's had enough?" I point out to them when they are uncomfortable from eating too much, and remind them of it at other appropriate times. And never, ever do I tell them to finish what's on their plate. In my house, it's ok to waste food. Better the extra calories go in the garbage rather than on your body.

As they got older, it got easier. I am able to reason with them more. I try to cook or serve two fruits or vegetables every meal, usually a salad and some steamed veggies. I *try* not to be a short order cook. I am aware of the kids' preferences, so I try to have one fruit or veggie that they like.

I try to make the fruits and veggies as easy to eat as possible. I cut the watermelon into bite sized chunks. I wash the apples and grapes before putting them away. Cut up cauliflower, broccoli, and celery. Make it ready to go. I have also learned that if I take steps at meal times to make it easy for them, they eat it. If I tell the "salad is in the fridge" they don't bother to get it out. If all the fixins are on the counter, they help themselves.

We haven't always been good about our portions - so now it is a game to find your correct portion! Guess how much a half cup of ice cream is! If I win, you'll try those brussell sprouts I am going to cook tomorrow. If you win, you get to chose the radio station in the car next errand out. They are good at this, and we have made it all kinds of fun! The kids love playing with the scale.

The scale and the very basics of nutrition can be a learning experience for small children. Let them look at the numbers on the scale. Let them add and subtract food to get to different numbers. Have a "vitamin/nutrient of the week" game... where you teach the bare basics "Vitamin A is good for the eyes! Let's look online or on packages with thing with Vitamin A" Or you can make a meal with Vitamin A rich foods.

And last but not least, with very small children, I always insisted they put a spoonful of each meal foods on their plate. Quinoa? Just a spoonful, so they can get used to the foreign look of it. I have found a few times of this gets them to try it, eventually.

Good luck!!

hailz840

i try to encourage healthy eating with my kids. my 3yr old is not interested in eating dinner so have cut out afternoon tea and offer him vegetables at this time so he is learning to eat more at dinner.

janet_pratt

My grandchildren live with me and the 3 year old girl will eat anything that doesn't eat her first. Whatever I eat, she figures it must be good or I wouldn't be eating it. The 5 year old wouldn't touch a vegetable when he first came. Now he loves salad, and will eat a variety of other vegetables. The other day they both scarfed down brussels sprouts without so much as a peep! They also love kale chips. I've discovered that any vegetable that will get crunchy in the oven is a big hit. They like broccoli florets cooked at 450 until they start to get crispy. They both like salmon. My daughter is not big into cooking or nutrition. When the kids moved in, they figured all meals must either come in a fast food bag or be delivered by the pizza guy. They switched over to real food a little at a time. And things that the boy wouldn't eat at first, are staples for him now. Just keep offering it to her, or talking about how good it is when you are eating it. Eventually you can win her over, one food item at a time.

margieward82

My daughter gets the best healiest options we can afford for her. Snacks are fresh fruit and veggies, cheese, freeze dried or dehydrated fruits, homemade graonal or crackers,plain greek yogurt, whole wheat bread, etc. Everyday for breakfast she gets plain oatmeal w/ sprinkle of cinnimon and a scrambled egg (and raisins for the car ride ot daycare).
We do not feed her anything with HFCS or PH-oils. We feed her (and ourselves) as clean as possible. Milk from cows not fed hormones, grass-fed beef, natural chicken and pork.
Occasionally when we eat out (maybe once a week if we're lucky) she will get a "Treat" but by that I mean she gets the cleanest option at that resturaunt... and yes, chips and salsa when we go for Mexican (maybe once a month).

Today she has: bkft-oatmeal, egg, raisins,
snack- oranges and mozzarella cheese
lunch- grilled chicken, cornbread, steamed carrots and broccoli
snack- pears and greek yogurt
dinner- baked chicken, roasted mushrooms and steamed brown rice

This is basically the same things my husband and I eat! We rarely get to eat together during the week, but we are all eating nearly the same things! And if there's not enough for all of us to get "the good stuff", my munchkin gets fed first! If I won't put it in my body, I sure as HELL WON'T put it in my child's body!!

cadaverousbones

I don't have kids but If I did I think I would let them eat some of what they want mixed with some of what I want. For example, mac and cheese. I loved that as a kid and I still do. Annies makes an all organic macaroni and cheese that is a healthy alternative to the Kraft brand. If your daughter only likes that kind, just try adding some veggies to it or something to jazz it up with a healthy little twist. As your daughter gets older she will be more accepting to trying new foods. I can't really imagine a little kid eating quinoa or couscous etc lol. Good luck!