We’ve been trying to diversify Lucy’s palate these days — by feeding her broccoli, cottage cheese, peas, even Monterey Jack cheese. (Who was this Monterey Jack, anyway? Was he some kind of hippie, Bay Area cheesemaker?) We’re making a valiant effort, but I don’t think it’s working as well as we had hoped.
p{color:gray}. Photo: Don’t be fooled: Lucy is not enjoying this broccoli as much as it seems.
Lucy had such a gradual introduction in the solid-food department. She is now an expert at feeding herself a variety of fruits. (Mangos, pears, and bananas are her favorites.) She especially loves yogurt and can hardly get enough Cheerios and buttered toast.
However, I’ve been noting the distinct lack of vegetables in her diet — really, a lack of anything that isn’t starchy or sweet. How did this get away from me? Especially after all the reading I’ve done about making one’s own baby food and providing optimal baby nutrition! The truth is that I’ve been nervous about trying foods that she might not like.
The turning point for me came last week when I was considering steaming some broccoli florets for Lucy to try. I looked down at Lucy crawling on the floor just in time to see her grab a big, hairy, linty wad off of our kitchen rug (how ever did that get there, oh my?) and delicately, deliberately insert it into her mouth. While digging the hairy mass out of my daughter’s mouth, I thought, “If she can eat that, she can try some freakin’ broccoli.”
I’ve been trying to remember that babies sometimes need to try a food up to twelve times before actually enjoying eating it. I’ve also been trying to implement our friend “Brad’s”:http://bradfarris.com/ house rule of “the new food must go on your plate, even if you don’t eat it,” on the theory that kids don’t like unfamiliar foods, but if it shows up on their plate a few times they might actually try it and like it.
But Lucy doesn’t seem to be buying it. She’s not into the veggies, and she is also eschewing avocado and cooked egg yolk which she previously enjoyed. We are continuing with pears and yogurt while introducing a new food to her in a meal. She has gotten really good at identifying the foods she likes (and passing over ones she doesn’t). When we put a new food in her mouth, she gums it for a bit, makes a face, and then out it comes, rejected like a crumpled up dollar bill from a coin machine. (Props to Anne Lamott for that simile.) I even sautéed the broccoli in a little butter for her to eat — I thought she was into it at first, but the second time we tried it she would have none of it.
Part of it is the issue of teeth. Lucy doesn’t have very many of them (tooth #4 poked through today, for those of you keeping track). This makes it hard to chew through many things — peas, broccoli, grape skins. I tried puréeing the steamed broccoli, but she didn’t like that either (and, frankly, neither did I — yuck!). I’ve heard that some babies truly prefer jarred baby food, so we tried some of that yesterday, but still didn’t get the reception I hope for.
This is surprisingly hard for me! I’m trying to be patient and not show anxiety about her eating habits. But it’s gotta be my Italian heritage, or people-pleasing tendencies. It feels really important that I give Lucy food that she enjoys eating. Jon and I love to eat. We both love a variety of foods, and I love to cook. I’m really hoping to share the joy of food with Lucy, but I’m sort of at a loss at this stage.
I am encouraged when I remember hearing stories of Jon’s eating habits as a child. I think he survived solely on bread and butter for an entire year, supplemented by the occasional hot dog. There is a great family story where he visited a friend’s house around age five, and when offered a hot dog at lunchtime, he inquired, “Is it an Oscar Meyer wiener?” Taking pickiness to a new level! If Jon came through a childhood of picky eating and now relishes pretty much anything, Lucy could do the same. She is her father’s daughter!
(Incidentally, some of you who have known me for a long time might be interested to know that somehow, since Lucy’s birth, my once-violent aversion to onions has disappeared. I have never liked onions, and I still won’t eat them raw, but they bother me much less these days. You’ll even find me eating them and cooking with them in my own kitchen. Shocking, I know. I feel like a core part of my identity has changed, but I guess that is what motherhood does to you.)
To sum up: there is hope for Lucy, but I sure would like some wisdom right now to help prepare her for years of yummy sautéed spinach with garlic and feta cheese or one of Papa’s stir-fries. Any tips from the seasoned parent-cooks out there?
I HIGHLY recommend this book “_Child of Mine_”:http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0923521518/octothorppres-20 by Ellyn Satter. All the moms in my mommy-group swear by this book. It’s not just another book of baby recipes. Instead, it really explains how babies learn to eat and how to guide your baby to self-feeding solid foods. It will really free you from the stress of feeding!
No force-feeding, no food-battles, the child decides what and how much to eat. Christine is an eager eater, so it’s been fun so far. But get the book! It’s really helped me feel like I know what I am doing.
I think putting it on their plate even if they don’t eat it is definitely the key – at least they are exposed to it and may even try a bite or two, but you aren’t forcing them to eat it. At Lucy’s age, Benjamin was (and still is) a big fan of carrots. The little square ones that come in a bag of frozen mixed veggies seemed to be a good size for him or I would take round slices and cut them in quarters. Cooked carrots are nice and soft for gumming. As far as teeth go – they don’t really get helpful until they get their molars (which for Benjamin wasn’t until 14 months or so).
Another way to get some veggies in her diet is through a tomato-based pasta sauce. Obviously tomato is a veggie and you can put other veggies in the sauce. If she really likes it just be on the watch for diaper rash since tomatoes are very acidic.
I had the same anxieties as you are having right now when Ben was Lucy’s age (and even a bit younger). He also loved all things sweet and I worried that he’d never develop a well-rounded palate. One of my big fears was having a picky eater as both Chris & I love to eat all sorts of foods (well, that is, when I’m not pregnant). Ben has proved to be a pretty good eater so far and we’ve definitely noticed a change as I’m nursing him less, as his appetite is greater.
I really think that this is just a phase and that as you introduce more foods, she’ll eventually take a liking to some of them (probably not all). Just keep offering interesting foods. As far as the broccoli, did you try putting a little bit of salt on the florets? That has made a big difference for Ben (the other night he ONLY wanted broccoli for dinner!). I craved salt like crazy when I was pregnant and he likes his food with a bit of flavor on it as well. I figure that *I* won’t eat broccoli without salt, so why should I make him? But, if you guys are concerned about salt intake, then I can see why you wouldn’t want to go that option.
Also, Ben particularly likes to dip things (especially french fries in ketchup!). Try hummus & soft bits of pita, or guacamole (a HUGE hit around here) and bits of tortilla.
Hi Ann,
I’ve recently begun mixing the veggies together – like carrots, peas and broccoli and pureeing them so that the tastes are less distinguishable. I know it sounds weird to us adults, but maybe try blending a sweet thing that she eats with a new veggie, heavy on the one she likes – then gradually changing the ratio.
Abby’s always been a great eater (except when teething) but Lucy’s crawling and Abby is not. Each of them have their strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a tidbit that I learned in class at church. “Hold your standards high and let them grow into them without demanding immediate and complete compliance. Don’t allow them to wallow in their weakness… help them make progress in every area.” I think it’s a great idea to keep trying and put the veggies on her plate.
One way I try to rekindle interest at the end of a half-eaten meal is to stab a piece of food with a fork and hand it to Josi. She likes the fork and will agree to a few more bites that way. Another thing I’ve learned is to keep the preferred food out of sight until the end of the meal. That way hunger may encourage her to try a few bites of something new or less-loved. Are you having any luck with sweet potatoes? You can also put zucchini, carrot, pumpkin or other things in muffins if the child absolutely refuses to eat them straight. I think babies and kids go through food phases. Josi loved bananas, then wouldn’t touch them for a few weeks, now will tolerate a few bites. Abi now is doing the same thing with different kinds of cereals. Good luck. I’m sure Lucy will turn out to be a healthy, well-rounded eater.
Ann, Jon, and Lucia,
My oh my, you are such lucky people to have so many good friends who readily share their experience and ideas. I read everything with interest and marvel at the impact of this communication link. You are fortunate, indeed, butI hope that Betty never shares any of my eating preferences with you so that I have to read about them on your site! I send you my love…
I also do the fork thing with Benjamin, although now he wants to stab everything himself, so I have to do it when he’s not watching.
One other thing I thought of – I found frozen veggies to be very convenient since he wouldn’t always eat whatever veggies we were eating. Plus, I would cook them a bit longer than I would for us so they would be mushier and easier for him to eat.
Benjamin also really likes the vegetables that are in soup (chunky soup, for example). I’m guessing it’s because they have more flavor (and salt) prepared that way.
I think the biggest lesson we learn as a mom is TIME. Give her time. Keep offering it to her. I read somewhere that children develop their taste between 1 and 2. So don’t fret, just offer it to her time and time again and remember that she doesn’t remember things like we do so if she hates it today, tomorrow she doesn’t remember that she hated it. Maddy didn’t really start eating EVERYTHING until 12 or 13 months. Now the child will eat everything even fuzzy stuff off the floor. Actually her favorit foods are beans (kidney, pinto, lima and black beans). I found that cheese always works. give a little cheese on the top and she goes for it, or a side of katchup. :-P
She is part you so I am sure she will grow into a well flavored kid who loves good cooking!
-katrina
ps…Maddy will do tricks to get anything chocolate. I have even seen her look over her shoulder to see if I was watching her sneak my M&Ms. BUSTED.
Rotini pasta is a huge hit in our house. It is easy to pick up and can be coated with a variety of yummy things. Tonight it has zucchini, onion, peppers, feta and a vinagrette dressing. Mo scarfed it down.
Presentation, that is what Naomi is all about. If we eat it on a plate she needs to eat it on a plate too. She has been eating with a spoon since she was about 10 months old…so I thickened everything with rice cereal for awhile. She has currently mastered drinking milk form her bowl when she finishes her cheerios…a trick she loves to giggle about.
The food issue has always been one that is hard for me. I too love to cook and I have realized that my kids go in food stages….Alex and Joseph LOVED spaghetti with sauce when they were two. We could have had it every night for dinner. Then at sometime I served it and they looked at it as if I was poisoning them. Joseph still protests a little now when we serve spaghetti….but he will eat it without being forced. We have never forced the kids to eat anything but we do want them to try it. Charles who has always been my best eater wont eat any of his favorites anymore….It really is enough to drive me crazy.
We have several family favorites that Naomi seems to like….and because I love to cook I try to introduce new things on a regular basis. All three boys are able to do more in the kitchen…and like planning meals so they are more willing to try new things.
I have become more and more comfortable with offering healthy, tasty choices and setting a good example….which in early parenting was always accompanied by worry that they were not eating enough, or that we would have to buy stock in the Skippy peanutbutter company. Also I am more comfortable with letting go of the comments people make about picky eaters. Neither Andy or I are picky and we expose our children to a wide variety of food. Truly I dont care that Alex does not want to eat a piece of Apple pie. I do wish he would eat more fruit…but that is a texture/sweet thing and he loves his veggies!
I agree with what others have said that Lucy will follow your examples. It just take time and patience. Hopefully you can continue to enjoy your food your food without angst.
Blessings on the journey.
Nicole
hi, ann–
i’m a little late commenting here, but i just wanted to share something i read recently. it was about a study done in the 1930s by a physician named Clara Marie Davis. here’s a link to an article describing that study:
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/175/10/1199
anyhoo, the gist of the study’s finding is that as long as you provide healthy food choices to the baby and leave it up to the baby if and how much she eats, the baby will consistently choose a diet that includes all the nutrients necessary for healthy growth and development.
that means our job as parents is to provide HEALTHY choices. it’s our children’s jobs to recognize their own hunger and respond accordingly.
the Child of Mine book recommended up top sounds good. it really IS a freeing experience to find out you don’t have to control your kid’s eating.
it’s so hard to believe that our babies and toddler really will eat what they need to without our pushing them to. i guess it’s a lesson in trust and respecting them as individuals, but it’s so important for their developing a healthy relationship to food in the long-run.
it’s probably a good lesson to learn now, while lucy is still SITTING for her meals, because soon she’ll be walking and running and she may actually go days without eating anything but cheerios. that’s when it gets really hard to breathe and trust and overcome the temptation to control. it really was a huge relief when i learned that i didn’t have to get cadence to eat a balanced meal 3x a day for her to still be healthy.
with your culinary skills and concern for lucy’s nutrition, i’m sure you’ll have nothing to worry about.