Your Thoughts on Picky Eaters

[AmyKidsCo]

My thoughts: eat or go hungry.

That's how I handle things here, but I see parents giving in to their kids and fixing them different foods, eating out too often, and not incorporating new foods when they are young.

My sister in law just said this weekend that she thought "picky eaters are made, not born" until she had her own child.

I always make sure that something on the table will appeal to everyone, but if they only like (and eat) 1 thing, that's their choice. If they choose not to eat at all they'll get another chance in 3 hours or so.

[jenboo]

One of my families and I happened to move to new states at the same time. It's been a couple months now and this is what she sent me the other day:

" My kids are finally learning about food in the real world. No more gourmet meals at daycare! They actually have to eat cereal some morning (gasp). They don't know what that is ��. Still only get chicken nuggets at home and daycare is slightly better with the menus but it seems no one feeds them like you did ��. Miss Jen is sorely missed. Guarantee there is a ton of work here for you if Boise doesn't work out!!"

It made me smile. I also nannied for them before I opened my daycare. They pretty much live off of chicken nuggets at home but they will pretty much eat anything. The love veggies.

Eta: it is a slight exaggeration. They occasionally eat other stuff too

[Bookworm]

I showed your responses to my co-workers and we agree with what you all said. Many of you had some great stories. Thanks for your input.

Blackcat, I've never heard of a family that never cooked. That blew us away.

Midaycare, here's the recipe for Brussel Sprouts Lardons. Sorry it took so long, I had to find the right book.
2 tbsp olive oil
6 oz of pancetta or bacon 1/4 in diced*
1 1/2 lbs of Brussel sprouts trimmed and halved
3/4 tsp of kosher salt
3/4 tsp of freshly ground pepper
3/4 c golden raisins**
1 3/4 c chicken stock

Heat olive oil in 12 in pan and add pancetta or bacon. Cook over medium heat until brown and crisp, 5-10 min. Remove pancetta/bacon from pan onto a paper towel. Add the Brussels sprouts and s/p and sauté over medium heat until lightly browned. Add raisins and chicken stock. Lower the heat and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally until sprouts are tender when pierced with a knife, about 15 min. If the skillet becomes too dry add more stock. Add pancetta/bacon to pan and serve.

*i tried both and prefer the taste of bacon
**i hate raisins so I left them out.
Let me know how you like them.

[Thriftylady]

The mom of my DCG 16 months is still feeding her baby food!!! She is afraid to feed her anything due to chocking. I have finally gotten DCM to give her a few things. DCM thinks if she spits them out she must not like them. But I have had her spit things out one time, and gobble them down the next. Parents don't want to give their kids a chance with new foods. Add in the fast food and the processed stuff, and our kids don't eat much.

Burger King right now has a commercial on for some dirt cheap chicken nuggets. Am I the only one that thinks 10 nuggets for less than a buck must not have any chicken in them?

[jenboo]

The mom of my DCG 16 months is still feeding her baby food!!! She is afraid to feed her anything due to chocking. I have finally gotten DCM to give her a few things. DCM thinks if she spits them out she must not like them. But I have had her spit things out one time, and gobble them down the next. Parents don't want to give their kids a chance with new foods. Add in the fast food and the processed stuff, and our kids don't eat much.

Burger King right now has a commercial on for some dirt cheap chicken nuggets. Am I the only one that thinks 10 nuggets for less than a buck must not have any chicken in them?

But they taste so good!
And I'm pretty sure it's like chicken by product or something

[Bookworm]

The mom of my DCG 16 months is still feeding her baby food!!! She is afraid to feed her anything due to chocking. I have finally gotten DCM to give her a few things. DCM thinks if she spits them out she must not like them. But I have had her spit things out one time, and gobble them down the next. Parents don't want to give their kids a chance with new foods. Add in the fast food and the processed stuff, and our kids don't eat much.

Burger King right now has a commercial on for some dirt cheap chicken nuggets. Am I the only one that thinks 10 nuggets for less than a buck must not have any chicken in them?

We have a DCG like this who just turned one a few days ago and my Director is pushing mom to move her up to my room. She might have some sensory issues because mom says she chokes on anything with texture. She's still on stage 2 food.