Anyway, back to the point, today she was taking audience questions, and someone asked about how to feed her kids healthy things. This is a pretty frequent question on this show and she often comes out with tips or tricks...but today she said something about hiding and lying are okay when it comes to feeding your kids healthy things. Let me just tell you how much that BUGS ME. She referenced Jessica Seinfeld who wrote the book "Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food". I haven't read the book, but I saw the segment on the show and just am not a fan of this idea of how to feed your children. Here's why:
The thing is, this idea of "hiding" veggies in your children's food just doesn't sit right with me. Why do you have to "deceive" them into eating something good for them? So they eat the pasta and sauce that you loaded with veggies and hid and like it, so then what happens? Do you tell them "haha you ate veggies and liked it!" and expect that suddenly they will be all about zucchini because they ate it? No! When has that ever worked? It won't change their views on healthy eating, so your choice left is to just continue to hide veggies in more and more things. So then you get a child that yes, is eating veggies, but isn't liking them, isn't learning to make healthy choices, and could have unhealthy views on eating and food and what they should be consuming.
Now, don't get me wrong, I totally think putting veggies in your pasta sauce is great! Heck, around here, I put veggies in our meatballs, hamburger patties, lasagna, enchiladas, what have you. But I don't like the "hiding" it. If they ask, tell them. And don't try to make it seem like it's a huge secret. Kids have to learn that they need to eat healthy choices like veggies and fruits. And that they aren't gross! Will this always work? NO! Kids go through stages where it won't eat anything but those 5 items they want, and then yea your hands are tied. But I think it's important to not deceive them from day 1. So here's how I think it should work:
- Start your baby out with whole, healthy foods early. And tell them what it is. As they get a little older, let them try things, even if you don't think they will like them. Don't feel like everything has to be super bland. Don't feed them super spice, but if something has a bit of a seasoning, that's okay! Oh and make sure when you are feeding your baby something, you don't say "well you probably won't like it!" or make a negative face. They pick up from you. You are telling them they aren't going to like it, so why would they? Be positive! Say Yum! Encourage.
- Make veggies taste good. I mean, let's be honest, steamed Brussels Sprouts that are squishy, stinky, mushy. No thanks! But roasted? Delish and crunchy! There's this whole idea that veggies just aren't yummy, and I think that people just need to find ways to make them so they ARE yummy.
- Realize that you and your kids just aren't going to like certain foods, and that's okay. Think, there are at least a few food items you just don't like, no matter what. No matter how they are prepared, what they are in, etc. For my husband, it's eggplant and mushrooms. He just will not eat them.
- Get your kids involved in the process. This is something Rachael Ray DOES talk about and support. Let your kids pick a veggie at the store, have them help you find a recipe, go to the farmer's market with them, let them try things. Kids are more likely to want to eat something if they got to help prepare it. There's a level of pride there.
- Don't hide veggies in things like brownies. I've seen this done and it's so counter intuitive to me. If you do that and then still only allow them 1 brownie? Okay fine, I still am not into it, but it's tolerable. But don't then let them have 6 because they aren't as bad. This is where that "deception" can lead to bigger problems.
- Don't get in the habit of making 2 dinners. I have seen this in SO MANY FAMILIES I have worked with. The kids get one thing, parents get something else because they think or know the kids won't eat what they are eating. Don't get into that habit. It's an ugly cycle. You don't have to change your diet completely to fit your child, so get your child started early on fitting what your tastes are. Modify small things if necessary...like if you want something spicy, cut it back for you child, then add more to yours.
I'm sure I sound like a broken record with the "start early" but it really does make a huge difference. You want to create a mindset that healthy does not equal bad, and that moderation is a great method for the not so great for you foods. We have to show children how to make healthy choices, by eating veggies in front of them, encouraging them to try things, and getting them involved. Deception, in my opinion, isn't the way to go.
