I don’t have much of an appetite today as I watch the economy go down the toilet. (Thanks a lot stupid irresponsible mortgage lenders, people who rack up massive debts they can’t afford, wars that suck up all our extra cash, and others who are helping drag everybody else down with them!) The last thing on my mind right now is a recipe.
I wish I could be as blissfully unconcerned as my three-year-old. She rarely turns down a yummy treat. In fact, some friends of ours at a New Years Eve party were commenting on how varied her palate is. She likes everything from hummus and pesto to mussels and sushi. One couple at the party told us about a young nephew who will only eat Target spaghetti Os and KFC mashed potatoes. Recently, I heard about another tyke who would only eat food cut into triangle shapes.
Now, I gotta blame that last one in particular on the parents. Somewhere along the line, somebody started cutting that child’s food into triangles and the enabling began. By contrast, it is a rare day at my house when I fix something for my daughter that is different from what the rest of us are having. If she doesn’t like what’s on her plate, she doesn’t have to eat it, but I don’t jump up to make her a hotdog. Dinner is dinner. If you’re still hungry afterward, you can have a snack before bed.
I know I’m lucky that we don’t have any major allergies in the family. And I know some kids are just the way they are. If your child really is in danger of starving without those Target spaghetti Os, then you’ve got to make sure s/he doesn’t collapse on your watch. But I do like to celebrate little ones who aren’t afraid of edamame and who’ll tuck into a mild curry without fear.
So tell me, WMAGs, what unexpected foods does your little one like to eat? What’s his or her favorite “exotic” dish?
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9 thoughts on “Tasty Tuesday – January 22, 2008”
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I can’t say that my 4 year old has incredibly exotic tastes. And sometimes we do fib about things, to get her to eat them. For instance we call popcorn shrimp “nuggets,” and now that she likes them we tell her they’re shrimp, not chicken. But I am totally with you about not fixing separate meals. I have several friends who do this, make totally different dinners for the kids. I think it is a bad habit to get in to, plus who has time for that? It’s all I can do to get ONE dinner on the table every night!
My four year old eats sour cream by the spoonful…
And yes, I think it would be the parents fault for the whole eating foods cut into triangles. I have a friend whose son would only eat Chick-fil-a, and for two months straight, they had that for breakfast and dinner. Seriously. Until she finally wised up.
Amy–my son loves sour cream too!
Has anyone seen the Make Your Own Damn Dinner blog?
The URL is make-your-own-damn-dinner.blogspot.com.
I love it. I’d suggest triangle parents check it out.
O’s pretty picky, but he will try lots of stuff. So, he’s not really picky so much as not much of an eater. I’m glad he at least tries it. I’m surprised by what he likes sometimes! We are at the point now where I can make one dinner. He usually eats enough of at least one thing (veggie, protein, etc.) that I don’t have to make something entirely different–plus he still has such a small stomach at this age.
My little A is very good about trying anything I put in front of her. Some of the non-typical 3YO foods she likes: hummas, red peppers, green peppers, celery, broccoli, “salad” which is anything green and leafy (including spinach). I have to say I feel for the parents of the picky-eaters … but sometimes I wonder if they give in too easily.
Cassie eats those spicy Morningstar Farms buffalo wings. But her taste changes day by day, so I never really know WHAT she’s going to eat or throw a fit about.
Lily eats anything. She loves goat cheese and feta cheese, she will eat that by itself with fruit for breakfast.. WHATEVER. Lily has a more variable palate than Jude, but for the most part, they eat good and eat varied items.
I do not make separate meals for them, unless I make something very spicy for us.
If they don’t like it, then they don’t eat it.. and I figure if you are hungry enough you’ll eat.
No triangle shapes here.
My boys can be picky but it usually the reverse of what you would think. You couldn’t pay either of them enough to eat mac-n-cheese but you give them a bowl of edamame and they’re set.
One thing the B-man does that grosses me out is that he wants to dunk everything in ketchup. It hurts to watch him dunk a cucumber… it’s just wrong.
Susan, I think you got it with your comment “that it changes from day to day”. I remember feeling so smug that my 6 month daughter would eat saag paneer at our local Indian dive. Now it’s nothing but PBJ and going to bed hungry most of the time since I don’t cook kiddie meals. Some nights I make things they like, some nights I make what my husband and I like. Pizza or pasta is the only time we all win. But their tastes do change over the years so I’m certain we will be back enjoying Inidian food as a family, but maybe it will be during the teen years.
I think it’s interesting that a website entitled working moms against guilt has a posting devoted to making other moms feel guilty about having picky eaters. I think you need to ask yourself why you feel the need to pat yourself on the back about the fact that your 3 year old eats exotic foods. Big whoop. As a mother of two kids, one who will eat anything and one who will only eat one thing for weeks on end, I can tell you it’s nothing you’re doing. It’s the kid, period. Time to end the mommy wars.