Do you want LO to eat differently than you?

kristin2t · May 2011

I've always been super, super picky when it comes to food As a child I used to have to drink those pediatric shake-things because if I didn't like the food, I just wouldn't eat it. I've never eaten meat (occasionally chicken), never seafood, and only the last few years gotten better about a variety of vegetables.

So, while we eat pretty healthy, I don't feel like we have much variety in our diet, and I want to expose DS to things that I don't like. I HATE having such a hard time finding food I like, and generally dislike eating as a result. I want food to be enjoyable for him, but how should we go about introducing him to stuff that I wont eat? Seems like a lot of, "do as I say not as I do." And, aside from that, how do I start learning how to make things I've never touched, let alone cooked before?

Anyone in a similar situation, or have suggestions?

Rach21 · May 2011

There are a few foods I don't care to eat (brussel sprouts and eggplant are MIA at my house) so I really can't see myself forcing Gideon to eat something that would make me gag. But DH will eat anything but mayonnaise, so he wants Gideon to at least TRY everything to figure out what he likes. But we're not planning to have a special menu just for Gideon, unless he has an allergy.

candr09 · May 2011

I'm very picky too. Luckily for us DH eats anything and everything, so I'm sure he'll expose DD to a variety of things. Other than that, just get an easy recipe cook book and start experimenting! And at least try a bite of each thing you make, even if its something you don't eat/like. You never know... my tastes have changed a lot, and I'm starting to think a lot of my "don't likes" are all in my head, because I used to refuse to even try anything. But as I try new things, I realize they are kinda good haha. I just started eating sweet potatoes and chinese food within the past year... I'm so mad at myself for saying I didn't like them for so long, cause they are freaking delicious! haha. Plus at least if LO can see you trying it, its a little less "do as I say not as I do" cause you're trying it, and you're telling LO to try it. good luck!

hcmamm1 · May 2011

i am also a picky eater, luckily my dh is not. when we are out at restaurants, he will order things i would never even look twice at. we have ds try what dh has.

Danaz1 · May 2011

I have the opposite problem DH is super picky and I'll eat almost anything. DH agrees that we don't want DD to be picky if we can help it. I will expose her to all foods. DH's mom is also super picky wonder where he got it from??

LuJackCity · May 2011

I will try anything. DD has serious eating issues so I would kill for her to eat almost anything including shittty kid food.

So far DS is eating awesome and seems to like almost everything he tries. I'm really excited about that.

FoodieMama · May 2011

I have the opposite conundrum. DH is a chef and I'm a pretty good cook myself, so we eat a wide variety of foods. There are very few foods we don't like. I am trying to adjust my diet so my LO won't see me eat things I don't want her to eat, such as soda, cookies, chips, etc. We try to stay away from processed, pre-packaged food and sweets as much as possible, but I won't lie and say I don't ever buy a bag of chips or some frozen cookie dough.

So between not wanting LO to develop bad eating habits and me trying to lose the last bit of baby weight, I am trying to eat only whole foods, give up soda, etc.

SarahWaggy · May 2011

My husband will eat just about anything and so will I, pretty much. But I have had to deal with extremely picky children when I was a nanny. The Autistic boy I would watch refused to eat anything with any green in it. So we just got really creative.

I got this book and it was a great help with finding ways to make sure he got what he needed without causing a war over dinner time.

But when it comes to Remy, he will likely try everything once. I don't really like Kale & Eggplant so I doubt they will be a big thing in my household, but if he wanted to try them, I would make them for him. I have always loved Fruits & Veggies and so does my husband, so I don't really think we will have too hard of a time.

TBLilyRose · May 2011

I know some people don't like the idea of mixing vegetables in with food (sauce, mac and cheese, etc), because they want their kids to learn to eat the vegetables on their own but neither DH nor I are big vegetable eaters. I like the normal peas, carrots, broccoli, etc, but not so much squash, green beans, spinach, etc. If I cook them in another dish then I can eat them but not on their own...I just figure that's better than nothing if ours kids turn out to be picky vegetable eaters like we are.

vcrown · June 2011

Funny, we just had this discussion at lunch today. I'm VERY picky and my husband will eat anything. I've been working very hard to try new things (most of which I've hated and will never eat again). I hope my husband will get her to try things, but I worry she'll see me not eat something and get the wrong idea.

My only hope is that if I introduce her to things now (like avocado), I don't have to show her I like it. Then, by the time she's old enough to watch me, it will lessen the impact. Good luck!

LolliLately · June 2011

FoodieMama:

I have the opposite conundrum. DH is a chef and I'm a pretty good cook myself, so we eat a wide variety of foods. There are very few foods we don't like. I am trying to adjust my diet so my LO won't see me eat things I don't want her to eat, such as soda, cookies, chips, etc. We try to stay away from processed, pre-packaged food and sweets as much as possible, but I won't lie and say I don't ever buy a bag of chips or some frozen cookie dough.

So between not wanting LO to develop bad eating habits and me trying to lose the last bit of baby weight, I am trying to eat only whole foods, give up soda, etc.

This is our issue too. We are really trying to cut down on the junky food. We are also trying to get better about eating as a family instead of in front of the TV.

rg8482 · June 2011

My H will eat almost anything and although I eat a variety of foods, I'm a little more picky. H comes up with the weirdest combination of things to invent in the kitchen. One time I got grossed out because he thought that smoked salmon, jelly and horse radish was a good mix. Anyhow, if E turns out to not be as picky that's great. So far, she seems to be picky about fruits but loves all veggies. I'm trying as many different combinations as possible, but won't force her to eat anything that I won't eat.

blondek8 · June 2011

No. I want my kids to eat like me. I eat a variety of food. I would like them to eat more fish/seafood than I. I can't stand ANY fish or seafood and I feel like I'm missing out.

wonkatalia · June 2011

I am also a very picky eater. DH isn't super picky, but doesn't exactly eat anything. Between the two of us, we can't ever think of anything good to eat and we basically hate and dread mealtime. It's ridiculous. So far, the baby food purees have been a Godsend because I can introduce DD to foods that I loathe and she loves them! I guess I'll just try to find recipes for those foods and continue trying to introduce her to new foods. I just really don't want her to get trapped into the chicken finger diet that I had for so many years before I became brave enough to branch out.

For me, it's not just about flavor, but also texture and appearance. Just the look of a food can make me gag. It sucks.

jaimeb3th · June 2011

I am the pickiest eater I know, and so my mission has been to keep that from happening for my daughter. I know she will ultimately make her own decisions, but I decided I would take certain steps and then at least I would have done my best by her. I am doing a method called Baby Led Weaning- no spoon feeding- she ate what we ate from 6 months on. She has eaten steak, chicken, ham, and every fruit and vegetable they sell in the produce section of the grocery store and has not refused a thing- even red pepper! It seems like if she can pick it up and put it in her own mouth then she will eat absolutely everything. There are a lot of things I don't know how to cook, but I just steam them in a ziploc steamer bag with some seasonings. I don't have to worry about her choking, I can season things the way I would eat them, and I have given her 5 new foods in a day before and don't have to bother introducing one at a time. It's really an amazing method of feeding a child and gives me a lot of hope for her eating for the future. I would encourage anyone who doesn't know about it to try it- I am so thankful a pediatrician told me about because it seems like most people aren't aware babies can be fed like this. I certainly wasn't! https://www.baby-led.com/

Want a personalized experience?

Do you want LO to eat differently than you?

Re: Do you want LO to eat differently than you?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards