grandma's unhealthy cooking

[Anonymous]

My mom never cooks any vegetables. I grew up thinking veggies are usually garnish.

I have a 12 month old and she comes over twice a week. She has told me she doesn't want to give him anything he doesn't like since she's the grandma. So, he never sees any greens when she visits. Even if I put them out, what does a 12 month old prefer, yummy carb dish or steamed veggies? After lengthy discussion, she's trying but what she gave him was sugar and soy sauce laden mushrooms.

Should I forget about it? I understand it just gets harder. I try to give him veggies on other days and he gets them on other days, more often than not.

[Anonymous]

eating grandma's food 2 times a week won't spoil your child. make sure they eat healthy when you're around.

as they grow older it might become a problem so you may want to set boundaries now.

[Anonymous]

That's the BEST part about Grandma! Seriously, OP, that's nothing. My Grandmother was Paula Deen of the north. She made the best cookies, jams, butter-laden dishes, you name it! And I LOVED her for her cooking. I'm a much healthier cook, but she seriously inspired my love of cooking. I still cook some of her favorite dishes on holidays and wish I could make jam like she did. Ain't nothing wrong with that.

But seriously it's only two days a week, your son will be fine. Let it go, let grandma be grandma.

[Anonymous]

1-2 times a week...I wouldn't worry about it.

Regarding getting a child to eat veggies...it doesn't necessarily get harder. Up until he was 2, my youngest wouldn't touch veggies. So, I kinda gave up and would just offer him a lot of fresh fruit instead - occasionally, still putting veggies on his plate hoping he'd try it. Well, one day he ate the veggies and then just kept eating them after that. Now I put fruit and veggies on his plate - and he goes for the veggies.

So don't give up hope. I'd just keep offerring the veggies and not worry too much if he prefers what grandma gives him.

[Anonymous]

I think 2 days a week is too much for your kids to be eating crappy. My MIL is the same way -- she eats horribly and doesnt put a veggie in her mouth unless she is threatened with death. Eating well in youth is the key to eating well later, dont let your kid end up like Grandma, eating crap!!

[Anonymous]

I sort of agree with PPs that its fine to let it go...

But I've never let it go with my mom. And our differences in food are not huge. She felt like we were too strict about no sugar during the very young months and would sort of fight us on it. And not just sugar, but sweet carby foods. Like her idea of a meal would be toast, oatmeal, and apple sauce. I'd be like: no, scrambled egg with spinach and a side of beets. Not saying I handled it the best...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1-2 times a week...I wouldn't worry about it.

Regarding getting a child to eat veggies...it doesn't necessarily get harder. Up until he was 2, my youngest wouldn't touch veggies. So, I kinda gave up and would just offer him a lot of fresh fruit instead - occasionally, still putting veggies on his plate hoping he'd try it. Well, one day he ate the veggies and then just kept eating them after that. Now I put fruit and veggies on his plate - and he goes for the veggies.

So don't give up hope. I'd just keep offerring the veggies and not worry too much if he prefers what grandma gives him.

This was my experience too. My toddler is an incredibly picky eater so he only eats mac and cheese (with tofu), crackers, and some fruits. Its a struggle to get him to eat that. So if you have him eating veggies, OP, then you are way ahead of me! Relax, it won't cause him to be obese.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think 2 days a week is too much for your kids to be eating crappy. My MIL is the same way -- she eats horribly and doesnt put a veggie in her mouth unless she is threatened with death. Eating well in youth is the key to eating well later, dont let your kid end up like Grandma, eating crap!!

This isn't necessarily, true. I ate horribly as a child, I wouldn't touch a vegetable. My mom didn't push it for various reasons. As I got older I started eating more and more diverse foods, now I'll eat pretty much anything, including lots of vegetables.

[Anonymous]

Hey, Grandma never eats a veggie and she's still kickin.

Just double up when he gets home.

[Anonymous]

1-2 unhealthy dinners is not going to harm your child for life. What is he eating for the other meals that day? If he eats 21 meals per week (b'fast, lunch and dinner times 7) and 2 of them are not the best, he will be fine.

RELAX.

[Anonymous]

The Innuit never ate veggies in their lives and they were very healthy. Don't sweat it.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't worry about this at all. It's wonderful that your dc gets to spend the time with a grandparent and experience what amounts to a bit of culture and family history.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't worry too much about Grandma's dietary influence. However, I do have a tip for getting kids, even young ones, to eat veggies.

Serve roasted veggies, not steamed. So much more flavorful and sweet, and no more effort than steaming.

[Anonymous]

I am like you op... I cringe at my mil's idea of bonding. Every time my toddler goes to visit she gets one, two and even more if we don't literally take it away from her. Every time we mention "grandma," my daughter says "cookie!" it is kind of funny... When we drive by her place but don't stop, she has a little fit: "gramma! Cookie! Gramma! Cookie!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am like you op... I cringe at my mil's idea of bonding. Every time my toddler goes to visit she gets one, two and even more if we don't literally take it away from her. Every time we mention "grandma," my daughter says "cookie!" it is kind of funny... When we drive by her place but don't stop, she has a little fit: "gramma! Cookie! Gramma! Cookie!"

Sorry I have to LOL! Your Mom knows how to keep her coming back for more.

Anyway, OP, as a child my parents (and many friend's parents) fed us McDonald's regularly and thought nothing of it. Your Mom's cooking has got to be better than that without a doubt.