Healthy Eating/Cooking with Kids

For us is really was as simple as... I cook, this is the food we are eating, let's eat.

Of course I try to make things that the kids will like as often as possible. However for new foods, we have a "Three Bite Rule"... you must eat three bites with no bad attitudes, no commentary, just eat. After the three bites, then you can say what you liked or disliked about it; flavor, texture, etc. From there I can tweak foods to fit our family's needs and likes.

I have 4 kids, aged 1-10 and yes, they all eat what the whole family eats. They all have different tastes of course so different ones like different meals. But I've found that kids often gravitate toward the healthy food if it is offered. I also sometimes give options, like they can have either a fruit or veggie but they must eat one--one child will eat just about any veggie you put in front of her and the other will eat any fruit. My oldest has always liked mushrooms, olives and tomatoes. I never liked mushrooms much but since she did, I started putting them in a lot of food to get her to eat, which worked with her. I think the key is giving it to them. And also showing them that you as a parent are willing to try new things and new ways of cooking the usuals. Their tastes will change through the years but if they are hungry and it is on their plate, they will generally eat it. My oldest never ate any kind of bread--no pizza, no pb&j. She would try it occasionally but just never liked it. I didn't push it, because it's bread, but all of a sudden she started eating it and now she enjoys it as long as it is a good bread. She also never liked salad but we always made her eat one small piece of lettuce. She liked everything on the salad except the lettuce. This summer all of a sudden at dinner one night, she ate 3 helpings of a caesar salad. Apparently she just needed to find a dressing she liked. Since we've been going to a local produce market frequently also, they've been enjoying trying new things and have eaten more veggies. My kids have all always been good eaters and I really do attribute it to the fact that I don't make something different for them and they have the opportunity to try new things. As to whether they are involved with cooking—sometimes. They would like to do more but I like to cook and they get in my way. I should be more patient but they drive me nuts when they are in there. A lot of times they stand on a stool and watch. But when they do help me cook, they definitely are more interested in eating the meal. Sorry this is kind of rambling, but well that's how I am

For us is really was as simple as... I cook, this is the food we are eating, let's eat.

Exactly. I will never understand why people make different food, usually all junk stuff, for their kids. If you won't eat it cause it is full of crap, why serve it to your kids?