November 13, 2009, Newsletter Issue #337: New Foods and the Holidays

Tip of the Week

With the holidays coming up, it's a great time to expose kids to new dishes.  Before the collective eye-roll occurs, as a mom, I more than understand the difficulty getting children to eat anything new.
Kids are by nature creatures of habit. They like what they like and don't want a whole lot of change, especially when it comes to food. Studies show that kids need at least 5-10 exposures to food before they'll eat it (well, most things). Problem is, when you're going to grandma's house for Thanksgiving and everything is new, it can be hard to get kids to eat anything. Take a breath and understand all is not lost.
First, set the ground rules before you go.  If the kids are old enough, explain to them about the food that will be served and that good manners are expected. No matter what is prepared, or in some cases purchased, whomever went to the trouble of getting the food on the table shouldn't be insulted by comments of "gross, what's that?" or "I don't like that!" or "I want hot dogs."
Second, just one bite. Tell the kids they have to try something new and all they have to take is one bite. This does two things, it exposes the kids to new tastes, smells and textures, but also pushes the kids outside the boundaries of their chosen palates.
Third, exposing the kids to new foods may help expand their wants to healthier treats. Granted, sweet potato(e) pie might not be all that healthy, but it's a new taste and vegetable. Sweet potatos are rich in beta-carotene and fiber and can be a great substitute for regular potatos and can be prepared the exact same way. 
Cornbread dressing may be loaded with carbs, but (standard recipes) contain celery, boiled eggs, and spices that may not normally be on a kid's plate.
Cranberries, the token color for the table, is a fruit rich in Vitamin C. Its tart taste can turn off kids, but when a little sugar or splenda (just a sprinkle) is added, kids may eat it up. Cranberries are also great for urinary health.
Fourth, tell a story to do with the dish. Food and family go together, but so do family stories. Telling the story of the first time you helped mom make cornbread dressing can really stir a lovely conversation of times gone by. History of the time period, games played, and the people there can help give the kids listening a great way to connect with relatives.
Fifth,  if you do these things, you'll look incredible as a parent. Let's face it, holidays are hard and for some reason, Thanksgiving seems more stressful than others. Comments or looks from your in-laws or even your relatives can send even the most confident parent wondering where he/she went wrong, but having such interactive, polite, children can only be a feather in your cap and make the holidays look like a true present.



 

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