Thank you! 

They didn’t like everything the first time.  I remember each and every one hated green beans when they first tasted them as pureed baby food.  They all spit it out.  Just have them try it— one bite per year of age.  If they absolutely refuse, don’t press, just try again next time.  If they don’t like it, at least they’ve tried it… they may like it the next time as tastes change. 

If you continue to eat with them that will help.  Often kids need to try  things many times over before they actually like them. 

Turn off the TV during dinner— it only distracts.  (We do have special dinner and a movie nights but those are special treats.) 

We had a special trick for our eldest when he was a toddler and didn’t want to eat his green beans— The Green Bean Dance.  Dance in seat chomping beans into mouth. It’s become a family tradition! The kids now even add break dancing moves (they get a little carried away).

Try not to give them too many snacks especially sweet ones before dinner.  Don’t give them dessert or other foods when they’ve refused to eat dinner (especially if they’re over 3 when they’re just trying to get you to give them what they want over what they need). 

Don’t over-cook the veggies.  By losing the vibrant color you lose flavor and nutrients.  Make sure they get some raw fruits and vegetables too.  Mix up the colors to make a bright meal and one that satisfies different nutritional needs/tastes.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

No matter what your parents fed you, you can take control over what you eat as an adult.  The portions may have gotten larger as you grew older and spent more calories during exercise, etc.  If you had vegetables and fruits, you’ve got a good start that some others haven’t had.  Also, eat until you’re almost full; not totally full. 

My parents fed us fairly well.  We weren’t allowed much junk food in the house and no soda except holidays or birthdays.  McDonald’s was a huge treat.  My dad had a vegetable garden for most of my childhood.  My mom was a good cook and served vegetables at every dinner which was most often made from scratch.  We had fresh broccoli, beans and carrots often.  BUT on the negative side we were served fish sticks, which is like the 70’s version of chicken nuggets.  We had many frozen and canned vegetables (peas, corn, carrots, spinach, creamed spinach, beets), of which, I mostly refused to eat except the first three.  There was jello,  fake maple syrup, Skippy peanut butter and very little variety.  I hadn’t had nearly the number of vegetables and fruits or even  my children have, but that also comes from our world getting smaller due to global agriculture.  My parents’ food choices were fairly balanced tilting to the side of healthier choices.

Funny thing, as a kid, I used to crave the junk.  I would go to friends’ houses and chow down on Twinkies, Devil dogs and Suzy Q’s.  I ate so much candy especially during the summer months.  During my teens I ate tons of junk food and soda.  I probably undid all the good that my parents started.   I still have a sweet tooth and I still stop at McDonald’s occasionally.  BUT those occasions are few and far between.  My children consider it a huge treat.  When we do go I get them the kids meal with apple slices (WITHOUT the caramel dipping sauce) and milk (not chocolate).  I get a medium sized fries that I split between the four of us.  So, it’s not as much junk and still with some healthier items. 

If you look at my photos you’ll see the kids portions aren’t nearly the size of the adult portions.  Most dinners I have 1/5 meat/fish/chicken, 1/5 rice/grains/potatoes, 3/5 cooked vegetables/salad.  Portions play a huge part in our diets.  Eat what you need and stop before you’re full.  Low fat diets make us crave more fats which we’ll try to make up until we’re satisfied.  Feed your craving, just remember moderation when it comes to anything— but especially the bad things. Don’t obsess over foods— whether they’re healthy or not.    

If you’re living in your parents’ house, educate them on better foods and eating.  There are great resources like Jamie Oliver, Michael Pollan’s, Marion Nestle and Mark Bittman’s books.  Supersize Me! and Food Inc. are pretty powerful movies that can help.  Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution series can probably watched online. 

So, it’s never to late to start.  Good luck!

Amy,

Sounds great— sounds like two meals too!   Do you know what was in the rub? 

V-MKRET