Need help from moms who cook from scratch or less processed foods!

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to deal with a picky eater and a problem eater. We have changed our routine from short order cook and mostly processed foods. I have them helping make the food and ste the table which thye love doing, never more than one processed food at the table, a good selection of each food group, everything is kid friendly, and they can eat whatever it on the table and as much or as little as they want but nothing else.

It has worked in stopping the fits about wanting something else or them getting up to go get something else so dinner is more peaceful. It has worked great for my picky eater but not so much for my problem eater. My problem eater no longer screams when a vegetable is placed on his plate but he still isn't eating them.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on foods to serve? I feel like I am running out of options. I read the thread on pancakes and we'll try pumpkin pancakes.

Also any advice on ways to streamline meal prep but still include the kids in the cooking? What types of staples are good to keep on hand?

[Anonymous]

Sorry you're not getting any answers. Maybe the confusion stems from "processed" foods. What counts as processed? My child ate quesadillas last night... commercial tortillas and shredded taco-seasoned cheese (with olives and tomatoes and sour cream). Are those processed foods? How about pasta, and jarred sauce? I can hide a ton of veggies in spaghetti sauce, in addition to the tomatoes already there, but given that the label includes ingredients I can't pronounce, maybe that doesn't count.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry you're not getting any answers. Maybe the confusion stems from "processed" foods. What counts as processed? My child ate quesadillas last night... commercial tortillas and shredded taco-seasoned cheese (with olives and tomatoes and sour cream). Are those processed foods? How about pasta, and jarred sauce? I can hide a ton of veggies in spaghetti sauce, in addition to the tomatoes already there, but given that the label includes ingredients I can't pronounce, maybe that doesn't count.

Not the OP, but this is a great point. Obviously fresh or frozen fruits and veggies are not processed and we try to make that the bulk of our diet. I don't make pasta from scratch, but I at least get the whole wheat pasta and cook it myself vs. serving that already made pasta stuffed with cheese my husband is so fond of! I try to make my own simple tomato sauce but sometimes we do use a very basic organic store brought sauce (but I can pronounce and recognize all ingredients).

My friend actually makes her baby rice cereal from scratch, from real rice, and I never did that. But we try to eat as many whole, real foods with as few additives as possible (with some exceptions of course). But I suppose Kashi cereals are processed, but could be worse, at least they are not Lucky Charms! And then things like beans - I guess I could make the beans instead of opening the can, but I do take that short cut. I buy organic natural peanut butter with some added sugar but no crazy ingredients or trans fats and less processing than say, Jif or Skippy. I'm a big fan of raw unsalted nuts of all kinds. We buy organic milk but don't drink raw milk. I have a friend who makes her own yogurt and hummus. I buy hummus without a lot of added crap and same with yogurt. Prefer plain Greek yogurt and add fruit and honey. I buy Bare Naked granola which is not overly processed but again, my friend makes her own granola!

So I walk a fine line and we just try to eat foods that have fewer additives. We don't eat out a lot which helps.

I guess to address OP's question - my staples are brown rice, whole wheat pasta, frozen veggies, hummus which can be good for dipping veggies in, black beans, eggs (my toddler does not like eggs though), fresh and frozen fruit, string cheese, yogurt. I want to try almond butter because it is supposed to be healthier and taste very similar to peanut butter.

Can you make your own pizza using a whole wheat crust? Have the kids help make the sauce and pick the toppings. I just watched an episode of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution - he is really good at working with fun, simple meals for kids. He made a stir fry last week which looked really good. Baked sweet potato fries are fun and healthy, or baked sweet potato with cinnamon.

[Anonymous]

I like this website for healthy foods http://www.101cookbooks.com/index.html

http://www.foodmomiac.com/foodmomiac/2008/05/recipe-index.html

[Anonymous]

I would get the problem eater to take one bite of their veggie. Over time they will like it. Also, try cooking sweet potatoes, add a little cinnamon, butter, and brown sugar, they taste like a dessert. Zucchini is a bland tasting veggie that takes the flavor of it's seasonings well. I've made "potato" skins with green peppers (clean, slice, and roast green peppers, top with cheddar cheese and bacon, pop back into the over for the cheese to melt).

They need to try food items close to 20 times to really determine if they like them or not. Just keep trying, and I would enforce a "one bite" rule.

[Anonymous]

PP here, you might want to include the kids in purchasing the food as well. Let them pick out something new, they can then help cooking it, and will probably want to see what the fruits of their labor taste like

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would get the problem eater to take one bite of their veggie. Over time they will like it. Also, try cooking sweet potatoes, add a little cinnamon, butter, and brown sugar, they taste like a dessert. Zucchini is a bland tasting veggie that takes the flavor of it's seasonings well. I've made "potato" skins with green peppers (clean, slice, and roast green peppers, top with cheddar cheese and bacon, pop back into the over for the cheese to melt).

They need to try food items close to 20 times to really determine if they like them or not. Just keep trying, and I would enforce a "one bite" rule.

What do you do if your child is a "gagger"? Just curious how you enforce a this rule if the child will not pick the food up and try it. Do you stuff it in their mouth?

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure this answers your question, but just about every night I put cut veggies on the table with hummus or pesto that I make. Also fruit. If the kids don't like what is for dinner, then they can simply eat more of this. I gave my kids seaweed (in packs) from young age, so they can eat this too, at any time. Edamame is another easy side I'll pull out. I make tortillas with my kids every week, so in the event they really hate dinner, I'll make a quesadilla for them. But, usually I try to make at least one thing I know they'll eat. Sushi is also a great thing to make with kids; put veggies, smoked salmon (or sushi grade fish), cream cheese, sesame seeds out and let them create. I also cut up sweet potatoes in the shape of french fry and bake at 425.

I also read a great tip last year, which has helped to alleviate battles. That is not to focus on what is "healthy" or "good" with the kids. But, rather on how "delicious" it is and to work on the presentation. I usually serve them in small bowls or ramekins rather than a plate, it seems to appeal to them and looks great. Lots of little nibbles.

[Anonymous]

I'm 23:57 poster: also I try very hard not to sweat it if they don't eat much for a night or two. If I don't make it into a big deal it helps so much. Try not to think of your kid as a problem eater, and it may just resolve itself over a bit of time.

[Anonymous]

We eat mostly organic Whole Foods-like unprocessed stuff. Do not involve DC in cooking, although he loves helping me shop!
My DC allows that I stuff practically anything in his mouth - BUT if he is not hungry (which is all the time) he will chew for 30 minutes and then gag. He is willing to try anything, because he knows he can just not swallow anyway, and there is nothing I can do about it!
Beyond frustrating.
If your kids don't have any problems chewing, then by all means force them to try veggies at every meal.

[Anonymous]

Good advice here. I think you have to do the best with what you have. As a working mom who loves to cook, I often compromise: using canned beans, jarred tomatoes, dried pasta, etc. So, I'll make hummus from scratch, but buy organic canned chickpeas. I buy bagged organic baby carrots, instead of cutting carrot sticks myself. I do not make my own yogurt, but do buy plain or vanilla yogurt and make smoothies at home by adding frozen fruit and pureeing in a blender. I also have a rice cooker, which makes perfect rice everytime with very little prep. So, dinner is often rice/pasta, protein, and veggie, with fruit (or smoothies) for dessert.

I don't force DS to eat or to clean his plate (he is a gag-er and will vomit at the table!), but I always insist that a veggie be on his plate--if only to make sure that he grows up believing that there must always be veggies to round out a meal! Also, pre-dinner snack consists only of fruit and veggies with hummus dip. Sometimes guacamole (made at home) with tortilla chips. It is amazing how many carrot sticks the little guy will eat this way. I've heard some children love edamame or frozen peas, too, though DS never really liked them.

[Anonymous]

I tend to make things at night when the d's are asleep and then do a sort of 'token' prep if they're interested (ie mashing garlic and squeezing tomatoes and add them to the sauce I defrosted that day.)

[Anonymous]

I like the Martha Stewart Everyday Food Magazine and Cookbook (which is basically just compilation of magazine).

Short ingredient lists, most things are comprised of unprocessed, and don't take forever to make.

Re:canned beans, there is some rec to cut-down on canned beans and increase dried beans b/c of BPA in can linings. A PITA to drain the beans, but something to think about.

[Anonymous]

I usually prepare the beans and freeze them in small bags, and then when i need them i take them straight out of the freezer and use in recipes that require cooking: soups, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I usually prepare the beans and freeze them in small bags, and then when i need them i take them straight out of the freezer and use in recipes that require cooking: soups, etc.

Good to know; i want to get a pressure cooker b/c i can't seem to cook beans on the stove, and eat a lot, but was wondering what to do if I want to make extra. Don't want to can, so good to know i can freeze.