Fussy eating advice

Why there’s no such thing as “children’s food”

What’s with the gorgonzola? you might be thinking. That’s not the kind of thing I’d give my child to eat anyway.

My point exactly!

There are so many foods that we might consider unsuitable for children – “grown-up foods” like blue cheese, spicy curry, mussels, goat’s cheese, calamari, guacamole, olives, sushi… Precisely what’s on your “grown-up foods” list will vary from parent to parent, but it’s a very common concept.

But it’s an imaginary one!

Children in India don’t avoid spice. Children in Japan snack on dried squid. Children in some parts of the world eat insects.

Children will eat anything that they are used to and familiar with.

Even amongst the fussiest of eaters, you’ll find children who adore gherkins, or smoked salmon, or some other “grown up food”. Why? Because they had a taste of it when they were very young, enjoyed it – and so their parents kept giving it to them! It became one of their “safe” foods.

Children CAN handle stronger, more unusual or “exotic” tastes. I’m not suggesting you order your child a Vindaloo next time you’re in an Indian restaurant or suddenly spread gorgonzola on their toast in the morning instead of peanut butter – but here are some points to consider:
 
● Don’t stick to feeding your child bland foods

If you do, it will train their palate (and their mind!) to only want bland foods – which will make it much harder to expand their diet.

● Give your child exactly the same meal as you as often as possible

By all means, tone the chilli down slightly, or only make the guacamole available on the table rather than putting it on their plate – but don’t put the idea into their heads that children can’t eat the same food as adults!

● Don’t buy into the marketing ploy of gimmicky “children’s food”

Like turkey dinosaurs, yoghurt in a squeezy tube or fruit Yoyos. They encourage your child (and you!) to think that children need “special” foods that come in a fun form or out of a colourful packet. Keep those kind of foods as a treat.

● Never steer your child away from a “grown-up food” they ask to try

By saying something like “No, I don’t think you’ll like it” or “Maybe when you’re older”. Just give them a tiny bit to taste without any comment. What’s the worst that can happen? They’ll spit it out. But they tried it of their own accord. And that sense of curiosity and exploration and interest in trying new and different foods is exactly what we want.

That’s what non-fussy eating is!