Why It Is Important to Add Variety When Preparing Food
If you have small children, you probably already know that it can be a real chore to feed them. This is especially true if they are picky about what food they will and will not eat. It is important to ensure your children get enough nutrition from their food and luckily, there are ways of convincing them to eat even if they don't want to. It is a good idea to have a few favorite dishes on standby, such as crockpot chicken noodle soup, hotdogs, pizza, homemade chicken noodle soup, and chicken nuggets with cheesy mashed potatoes.
Even though it might take longer, it is a good idea to make a few different dishes so your child can choose what he wants. You might like to ask him what he fancies for dinner to get a guaranteed winner. Of course, if he suggests "chocolate brownies and ice cream" you might have to think of something else!
It is a good idea to encourage your child to sample everything you prepare. Many children don't like the look of a food ("it's a yucky color" or "it's looks slimy" are common excuses) but your child won't know what the food tastes like until he tries it, so encourage him to take a no thank you bite. In this way, he will get to taste the food and he might actually like it and ask for more.
Another good way to convince your children to eat is to give their food the names of their favorite fictional or cartoon characters. Bart Simpson Stew or Special Spiderman Salad will bring a smile to your child's face and encourage him to eat the meal. Children identify with shows they like and if they think they are eating cartoon foods, they will be happy to finish the meal.
Making fun, colorful dishes can encourage your child to eat. Red, green, and yellow bell peppers add color and you can call this Christmas casserole. You can make chicken noodle soup and call it Daffy Duck soup or something, just to make sure it is eaten.
Children know when they like and if you present something, which looks boring, they won't be keen to try it. They don't understand or care about nutrition either so it is up to you to make sure your child gets enough.
If you enjoy cooking, you can involve your child in the preparation. If a child is able to be part of the cooking process, they are far more likely to enjoy the results because they are proud to have helped to create it. They would prefer homemade chicken noodle soup, which they have helped with to "the stuff in the red and white can."
If there is a food, your child doesn't like, but it is necessary for the recipe, you can mince it in the food processor when your child is in another room, before adding it to the pot. Your child won't be able to see or taste it in the final dish but they will be getting the nutrition from the hidden ingredient.
When you are trying to feed your child, it is sometimes necessary to use alternative methods and even alternative ingredients. The main thing to remember when dealing with kids is to be as flexible as possible and know where and when to pick your battles. No one wants to make dinner time a battleground and with some careful selections and a little flexibility, it does not have to be.
Tags: Bart Simpson Stew, cheesy mashed potatoes, chicken nuggets, Christmas casserole, colorful dishes, cooking process, crockpot chicken noodle soup, Daffy Duck soup, food processor, homemade chicken noodle soup, hotdogs, nutrition, pizza, Preparing Food, Soup Recipes, Soups, Special Spiderman Salad