A conversation with a vegetarian friend of ours this weekend left us wondering just how our babies’ diets are influenced by our own.
Our friend doesn’t eat meat because she dislikes the taste and texture, whereas – of course – others avoid meat due to ethical reasons. Because her meat avoidance is due to a personal dislike rather than a principle, she has chosen to include meat in her baby food recipes and will allow her son to make the choice for himself later on.
Yet she told me that she literally has to grit her teeth when preparing his food as she finds the appearance and feel of the meat so unappetizing!
Meat, of course, is not absolutely essential to the diet and there are plenty of healthy alternatives. But what happens if you really dislike a particularly healthy fruit or vegetable that you know would be a valuable menu addition for baby (avocado, for example)?
Do you pretend to like it, to encourage your baby to eat?
Do you serve it JUST to him?
Do you even prepare it for him at all?
So how about you?
Is there something that YOU really don’t like, but still valiantly prepare for your baby? Have you forced yourself to eat things you don’t enjoy, just to set a good example? Or does your baby’s menu pretty much resemble your own? We’d love to hear your comments!
Carol
Tuesday 21st of November 2017
When my son was little I fed him fish sticks and he loved them. He had no idea what it was. Until one night my husband said “eww your eating fish sticks yuck!” That night he threw up and never ate them again. So parents attitude towards food definitely effects the way children view food.
Christine
Tuesday 21st of November 2017
Wow that's quite an example! I think you've summed up just how important it is to always react positively to healthy foods around our little ones.
vicky
Wednesday 16th of August 2017
My son is now 10 months old and will eat anything I feed him. I absolutely cannot stand the smell, touch or taste of liver but I made it for my son Dylan and he loved it. I also put mushrooms in any recipe I can and he eats that (I really dont like shrooms either) I would like my son to grow up eating and trying all kinds of food without a fuss. He is also a very energetic little man and needs as many nutrients I can get in him.
I make up a freezer drawer full of meals and defrost them as I need them, he also loves snacking on all kinds of fruits. Not sure if I am lucky he does or its because i have given him a wide variety from as early as i could but it seems to be going very well
Kathy
Tuesday 25th of July 2017
I gave my first son many different choices, whether or not I cared for them. (He's now 15!!) His favorite was creamed corn and mac and cheese - and I couldnt even stand the smell of it!!
I plan on doing the same thing with my new-born son. I want him to also decide for himself if he likes or dislikes something.
KellyC
Friday 7th of July 2017
I don't really try to avoid feeding my LO foods that I don't normally eat, I like to think I give her a big variety, not just for taste, but also for the different nutrients that are in different veggies. I have found that I am trying new foods, that I have never eaten before just because I have been told that they are good for my baby, lentils, and wheat germ for instance (I never bought these before)
Kelly
Thursday 6th of July 2017
Our 20 month old twins have always been very curious about food, so we have fed them absolutely everything... even things we may not particularily like ourselves. My hubby and I think it is important to expose them to as many diverse flavours as possible and allow them to develop their own likes and dislikes over time. It is time consuming to prepare special food for the girls, but I think it will pay off in health rewards and highly developed palates!