How we get our kids to eat.
1. They get the same foods we do.
From the time our children started eating solids- we’ve slowly incorporated the same foods that we eat, onto their plates. It’s true, our 2 ½ yr olds may not be big fans of that leafy, green stuff we put on their plates, but regardless- it’s there. Over time, they just get used to seeing it, and before you know it- it’s making its way to their mouths for some trial runs. By the time our son was 3 yrs old, he was asking for more “leafs” on his plate (we gladly accommodated).
2. We have to be willing to eat everything we’re making our kids eat.
If I’m not willing to stick it in my mouth, I can’t force my children to stick it in theirs. This goes for that horribly-textured baby food to parsnips. If I can’t stand it as an adult- I won’t be a convincing seller. It’s why (I’m not boasting, I’m sad about it actually) my kids don’t eat fish. They’ve tried it, outside of home, but I hate fish (not the species, just as a product of my palate’s consumption). It’s why my kids don’t eat tomatoes. My husband doesn’t like them. I eat them, but I can’t convince my children they’re good because they see Daddy finds them so distasteful.
3. We separate foods out, early on, so they’re less spooky.
I know this might sound strange, but it seems to work with our kids. If you’ve got a salad, for instance, make a pile of greens, a pile of carrots, a pile of raisins, and a pile of apples. (Insert whatever you normally put on your salads.) As separate ingredients the kids are more likely to go- oh, yeah, apples. I like apples. Munch. Munch. Munch. But, those apples in a pile of all that *other* stuff, and ewwwww… not sure I want to dive into that, Mom. It works well for us with any kind of mixed dish (stir fry, casserole, etc.)- anything that can be separated out post cooking. It means you’re not making a separate meal for them, but you are compromising and meeting them half-way.
4. Know that it takes a half-a-zillion tastes to know whether you like something.
I forget what that number is- 7? 21? Somewhere in the middle? More? All I know, is it takes a lot of tasting to know whether you really like something or not. Now, that said- it bothers me when I go *home* (to my parents’ homes) and am served something I’ve detested pretty much for my whole existence and they seem shocked- and still try the ol’ “you just haven’t tried it like this” line. That said, as long as my children are children (not 18 yrs old) they WILL try everything on their plates unless they have a doctor’s note verifying an allergy to a certain food.
5. No clean plate rule.
We don’t have a clean plate rule at our house. If they’ve tried something, then that’s all it takes (you know whether they tried it or not). Maybe it’s the non-fond memories of trying not to vomit while I attempted to choke down another fish stick. If you clean your plate, you have a chance at dessert (dessert is sometimes, not always- but you won’t get any if you didn’t finish supper). No one in our house will be forced to stay up past their bedtime because they haven’t finished their peas. I think it helps children recognize when they’re full, if they aren’t forced to keep eating until all the food is gone.
6. Not a tip for getting your children to eat, but a tip for children eating.
From the start, teach your children good manners for eating. (I say this will full acknowledgment that we are *just* starting to reach the point where my littlest are understanding and my 5 yr old selectively chooses which manners to use.) It is NOT okay to spit your food out and gag when you don’t like something. If you don’t like it, and can’t swallow it- spit it out politely and put it back on your plate and leave it alone. If you’re old enough to hold a fork & spoon, you’re old enough to use them to get the food to your mouth. Keep your fingers out of your mouth & your food. Food is never meant as a lotion, facial cream, or hair lather (unless you’re at a spa). Use common sense- think about how you want your child to act around your in-laws at the supper table. And- best of all—use your own table manners! You’re children are watching verrrrry carefully.
