Of course, each situation is unique, and it is true that the struggles to make children appreciate certain foods, or even just to get them to taste them, can be exhausting; children can be terribly stubborn. However, one should always keep in mind that
children's taste should be educated, not deceived . Hiding unwanted foods
In the recipes, their appearance and flavor are camouflaged: and if in this way the child receives the correct nutritional intake – and at the table one breathes a little peace – however, the field is given free rein to an attitude that is counterproductive in the long run. In fact, it is one thing to try to get around their resistance and
present the dishes in an attractive way – think of a risotto with vegetables
decorated with bits of cheese, ham and olives like a cat, instead of the same risotto in the 'adult' version – another is to insert a portion (perhaps tiny) of carrots and zucchini in that same risotto, but make believe to the child that they really aren't there, and cover their flavor with an avalanche of Parmesan cheese. The goal should always be to teach our children to
know and appreciate what they eat : a goal that is pursued, for example, by transforming dinner preparation into a
game to be played together , explaining the characteristics and virtues of different foods, cultivating together on the balcony or in the garden a
micro vegetable garden . All activities which, we guarantee, bear excellent results: an involved child, whose food education develops from the first years of life, will extend
his curiosity about food , will be more predisposed to
tasting new recipes and for healthy dishes.
THE ALTERNATIVE AT ALL COSTS
Here's another mistake parents stumble into, because they are thoughtful or simply - understandably - too tired to continue arguing: prevent possible children's grievances by always providing an
alternative menu . Also in this case, if it is clearly natural to want to satisfy the taste of children, it is not equally logical to always satisfy them: sometimes, in fact, one will indulge in a legitimate taste, other times an
unjustified whim . In the opinion of many experts, in educational terms it would be better
to maintain a certain firmness , and risk that the child for once eats little or not at all: at the next meal, the fussy little one will probably want to taste what he refused just before. The same goes for the so-called
'child friendly' foods or menus (roast chicken and chips, pizza, ice cream…): nothing against proposing them every now and then, but never reduce the children's diet to these and a few other options, which must instead be with as much variety as possible.
By Tea Guidi | Taken from Being Born a Mom
