When you have small children, feeding them can be a chore, especially if they are fussy eaters. Their nutrition is very important, and there are ways of getting them to eat even if they do not want to. Such dishes as homemade chicken noodle soup, crockpot chicken noodle soup, hotdogs, or pizza are always favorites.
Even though it might take longer, it is a good idea to make a few different dishes so your child can choose what he wants. You might like to ask him what he fancies for dinner to get a guaranteed winner. Of course, if he suggests “chocolate brownies and ice cream” you might have to think of something else!
It is a good idea to encourage your child to sample everything you prepare. Many children don’t like the look of a food (“it’s a yucky color” or “it’s looks slimy” are common excuses) but your child won’t know what the food tastes like until he tries it, so encourage him to take a no thank you bite. In this way, he will get to taste the food and he might actually like it and ask for more.
Another way to encourage small children to try different foods is to name the food with the name of their favorite fictional or cartoon character. Harry Potter Pancakes or Garfield Lasagna will get a smile from your child and they will probably tuck in, just because of the name. Children identify with shows they enjoy and if they think they are eating their favorite cartoon foods, they will probably eat all their meal.
Making fun, colorful dishes can encourage your child to eat. Red, green, and yellow bell peppers add color and you can call this Christmas casserole. You can make chicken noodle soup and call it Daffy Duck soup or something, just to make sure it is eaten.
Children are fussy when they are small and they know what they like. If something appears unappetizing, you won’t have much chance encouraging them to eat it. Children depend on you to get them to eat healthy foods.
If you like to cook, one way that you can encourage your child to eat is to let them prepare the meal with you. When you do this, they will see the ingredients, which are being added and feel like they are a part of the cooking process. They are more likely to eat what they prepare because they are proud to have done it. They would much rather have some homemade chicken noodle soups than the stuff in the red and white can.
If you know your child does not like something and it is a necessary ingredient, then wait until he or she is out of the room and run it through the food processor until it is finely ground up and then add it to the pot. He or she will never know it is there.
When you are feeding your child, sometimes you will need to use alternative ingredients or different methods. The main thing to remember is that when dealing with kids, you do need a certain amount of flexibility. The chicken noodle soup your child would never eat before can become his favorite if you let him help you prepare it and give it a cartoon name.
Tags: soup recipes, lifestyles, recipes, health
