When it comes to food, kids sure know how to make your day interesting.
Whether that’s saying no to vegetables, wanting dessert before the main course, or throwing a temper tantrum because you won’t make them chicken nuggets for the hundredth time that week, it is never a boring time with children at the dinner table.
No matter how well-behaved your child is they will inevitably grow up to be picky eaters.
The most important thing to note with kids however is that they will not automatically align with adult mealtimes just because they’ve learned to walk around or speak a string of words.
Children eat sporadically and at their own pace.
When they’re hungry, they will demand a snack right there and then.
When they’re not, not even a luxurious buffet can whet their appetite.
Moreover, children have overdeveloped taste buds, almost three times than that of adults (yes, we lose taste buds as we grow older).
This is why children are sensitive to certain flavours. But that’s a story for another day.
6 Foods Picky Eaters Hate
Vegetables
From Brussel sprouts and spinach, to kangkung and bok choi, kids and vegetables are like oil and water.
But your child needs their greens by hook or by crook.
Leafy greens for instance require some finesse to make appealing to children.
Some good leafy greens that do not have a strong bitter taste that are great for kids include spinach, lettuce and kale.
For kids, it’s better not to feed them whole, raw or semi-cooked leafy greens but either steamed and mixed in stir-fries, soups or incorporated into smoothies.
Peas
Rich in proteins and antioxidants, peas are known for their sweetness.
But perhaps what children don’t like is their texture when eaten whole.
Most canned peas come in salted water. Thus, they will lose a lot of their natural sweetness.
So, instead, opt for frozen peas.
Just like with other veggies, peas are best eaten mashed, like mashed potatoes. Mixed with butter and cream.
While some mums may think this is unhealthy, it’s definitely healthier than processed foods.
So, let your child indulge. Mashed or mushy peas are great with fish such as salmon.
Broccoli
Broccolis are packed with nutrients, which is why many parents include it in their child’s daily menu.
But prepared incorrectly and your child will have nightmares about this vegetable until they’re adults.
In fact, even some adults can’t stand the taste or texture of broccoli.
To make it palatable to kids, avoid serving whole broccolis.
Instead, steam the vegetable to soften it and them mash and add into things like fritters, smoothies, soups and even as toppings on pizzas.
Broccolis are also great as a dipping snack.
If cheese dips are too unhealthy, you can opt for vegan cheese dips made from cashews, chickpeas or tofu, flavoured with lemon juice, salt and nutritional yeast and coloured with pumpkin or any yellow squash.
Tomatoes
These red fruits are packed with vitamin c and antioxidants.
But for many kids, tomatoes may taste gross.
This can be partly blamed from the high sulphur content, a smell which some noses find distasteful.
Fortunately, tomatoes are probably the easiest ingredient to make work.
Chances are your kids already eat tomatoes in the form of pasta dishes and pizzas.
But if this doesn’t count as ‘eating tomatoes’ to you, there are ways to help your kids each the fresh, unaltered variety.
Eggs
Eggs are the most convenient source of protein. So, it becomes hard if your child doesn’t like eggs.
But there are ways to make sure they fall in love with this popular ingredient.
First thing you’ll want to avoid are semi-hard or soft-boiled eggs.
In fact, even scrambled eggs may be a bit too much for some children.
The best choices instead should either be hard-boiled eggs, mashed with mayo to eat as an egg sandwich. Or as French toast enjoyed with chili sauce or ketchup.
You can also incorporate eggs into soups, where their smell may be less noticeable.
Fish
Most children hate fish because of the fishy smell.
But fish are the second cheapest form of protein other than chicken and beef which have recently become quite pricey.
Unfortunately, as far as fish go, those with less fishy smell are usually the more expensive ones. Cod, tilapia and sea bass (siakap).
But if you only have access to the cheaper variety like kembong and cencaru, there are ways to cook it so that the fishy ocean smell wouldn’t be so apparent.
Curries are on top of the list, along with sweet and sour dishes.
The normal sardines in tomato sauce is also a good choice but you may have to alter it with some tamarind juice and chili paste for some heat.
Some fancier fishes like tuna and salmon are also good for kids.
Indulge Your Picky Eater
It’s important to make sure that your child gets all their nutrition from various types of food.
The trick is, of course, teaching them to like it.
It’s normal for kids to be picky eaters due to their sensitive taste buds.
So, it’s not their fault they find many foods repulsive.
Just know that they’ll eventually learn to love foods that they may hate when they were kids.
Remember not to pressure them to eat something when they don’t want to.
You can still eat what you prepared for them and then go back to the drawing board later to see what other adjustments you can make.
With any luck your, child will be a well-rounded eater instead of a picky one.
Good luck, my fellow parents!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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