When I was a small girl, I was forced to eat vegetables, everyday despite the fact that I hated them. The vegetable of the day would be left for the last and I quickly chow it down, trying not to gag. Of course, I vowed never to impose foods on my own children. Little did I know that I would face myself in spades!
When my Tristan was a baby, I breastfed him and then followed all the rules about introducing foods. He had rice and oatmeal cereals, followed by organic fruit, vegetable and meats. He loved every type of food when it came in a jar, but transitioning him to the real solid food was a challenge.
First he would eat a variety of foods, as long as they met his texture requirement. Slowly, but surely, he started refusing various vegetables, from tomatoes to cauliflowers. At age two, the only vegetable he would eat was carrots, skinned and diced. Finally, he refused the carrots as well, and I found myself trying to push the pieces into his tightly clenched mouth.
It dawned on me that history was repeating itself, forcing a child to eat.
So, I reintroduced the vegetables slowly by camouflaging them in his main foods. What was I supposed to do? I rather he ate some vegetables somehow, then nothing at all! I discovered my secret weapon… fruits. You see… Tristan loves his sweet stuff. So, I started incorporating mashed vegetables into his desserts – be it fruit puree, yoghurt, ice-cream or jelly.
Subsequently, I let him try the vegetables by introducing mayonnaise. He had a special dipping bowl, which he was allowed to dip his vegetables. It worked!
Now, he’s seven and doesn’t need all that to eat his vegetables. His favourite now would be broccoli and carrots.
And maybe, just maybe, he’ll try to enjoy other vegetables someday.
Till next month,
Shenielle Aloysis
Editor
Motherhood
magazine, updates and fills you in on just what you need
to know. Get your copy regularly at bookstores,
newsstands or any convenient retail outlets. For better
value and convenience, subscribe
to the magazine. Motherhood magazine is a must read
especially for expectant mothers and mothers with young children
