25 Foods Kids Hate E-Book

Fiona Faulkner

• Herausgeber: IMM Lifestyle Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Seitenzahl: 167

Beschreibung

With bookshops full of 'family-friendly' recipe books, what do you if your child won't even touch a tomato, let alone have one on their plate? Fussy eating is the bane of many parents' lives and is an age-old problem. Fiona Faulkner, also known as the 'Toddler Chef', reveals the tricks and recipes that have transformed her own children's eating habits and those of countless others at her popular workshops. Her techniques allow children to experiment with food at their own pace - and with a relaxed and fun attitude. The 25 foods chosen are those that many children (and consequently parents!) struggle with - from pulses to spinach to fish. Each 'food' has information on why you should be eating it, how to introduce it, recipes, tips and tricks as well two deliciously simple recipes. A 'gourmet for grown-ups' feature for each recipe also shows how you can adjust the recipe to appeal to more adult tastes. "25 Foods Kids Hate" offers a humorous and down-to-earth approach - with recipes and techniques that actually work.

Leseprobe

With bookshops full of ‘family-friendly’ recipe books and endless information about the importance of healthy eating for children, what do you do if your child won’t even touch a tomato, let alone have one on their plate? Fussy eating is the bane of many parents’ lives, from children who are deeply suspicious of any kind of vegetable to those who are simply unwilling to try anything new. Fiona Faulkner, also known as the ‘Toddler Chef’, reveals the tricks and recipes that have transformed her own children’s eating habits and those of countless others at her popular workshops. Her techniques allow children to experiment with food at their own pace – and food and cooking is always accompanied by a fun and relaxed attitude. The 25 foods chosen, while seeming perfectly normal, are those that many children (and consequently parents!) struggle with – from pulses to spinach to fish. Each ‘food’ has information on why you should be eating it, how to introduce it and tips and tricks for reducing your kids’ food fears, as well as two deliciously simple recipes. A ‘gourmet for grown-ups’ feature for each recipe also shows how you can adjust the recipe to appeal to more adult tastes.

25 Foods Kids Hate is a wonderfully personal book that offers a humorous and down-to-earth approach – with recipes and techniques that actually work.

£12.99

25FOODSKIDSHATE

 . . . and how to get them eating 24

25FOODSKIDSHATE

 . . . and how to get them eating 24

FIONA FAULKNER

This book is dedicated to the three original 'toddler chefs': Darcey, Elsie and Finn. I love all three of you more than I can possibly express. Keep cooking guys!

First published in 2011 byNew Holland Publishers (UK) LtdLondon • Cape Town • Sydney • Aucklandwww.newhollandpublishers.com

Garfield House, 86–88 Edgware RoadLondon W2 2EA, United Kingdom

80 McKenzie Street, Cape Town 8001, South Africa

Unit 1, 66 Gibbes Street, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia

218 Lake Road, Northcote, Auckland, New Zealand

1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

Text copyright © 2011 Fiona FaulknerPhotography copyright © 2011 New HollandPublishers (UK) LtdCopyright © 2011 New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd

Fiona Faulkner has asserted her moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers and copyright holders.

ISBN 978 184773 789 2

Publisher: Clare SayerPhotography: Ian GarlickFood stylist: Wendy SweetserDesign: Lucy ParissiProduction controller: Laurence Poos

Reproduction by Pica Digital PTE Ldt (Singapore)Printed and bound in Malaysia by Times Offset Bhd Sdn

Contents

Introduction

The 25 rules every parent should read before bribing with chocolate

How to use this book

A note on nutrition

THE 25 FOODS:

1Tomatoes

2Carrots and parsnips

3Broccoli

4Peas

5Sweetcorn

6Peppers

7Pumpkin and squash

8Potatoes

9Avocado

10Spinach

11Leeks and greens

12Cauliflower and courgettes

13Slightly sour fruit

14Exotic fruit

15Breakfast

16Slimy foods

17Deli foods

18Herbs, spices and stronger flavours

19Meat

20Fish

21Eggs and brown bread

22Rice and grains

23Beans and pulses

24Lentils and legumes

25Going global

About the author

Index

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Time and time again I see parents despair that their kids ‘fuss with their food’ – in particular with vegetables. As they plead with their kids to ‘please eat up some more or you won’t get dessert,’ it’s apparent to me that mealtimes are becoming a vicious cycle in which food is the enemy, and the kitchen a battleground.

It was in fact my own story in converting the ‘fussy eaters’ in my house that first inspired me to set up my business Toddler Chef; my son in particular caused all kinds of mealtime meltdowns. So I know first-hand how emotionally charged and frustrating it can be when the one thing a parent is naturally drawn to do – nurture their offspring with good, wholesome food – is thrown back in their face (yes, sometimes quite literally).

The truth is, while there are many fantastic kids’ recipe books out there, most of these are either fairy cake/bakery-driven (nothing wrong with that in itself) or don’t tackle the wider issue of fussy eating. It’s all very well having a great recipe for a vegetable pasta bake, but what if your kids won’t have vegetables on their plate to begin with – or anything that barely resembles ‘green food’?

In my own parenting journey I also began to notice that there are very few books out there designed to enable parents and kids to cook together – and this is an integral part of the Toddler Chef ethos. To this end, this isn’t just a cookbook; it’s a collection of kid-friendly recipes that a parent and child cook together – along with basic cookery techniques for kids to practice and learn. We’ve become a nation who value speedy-suppers and meals-in-minutes (not to mention designer, pristine kitchens), but I really can’t stress enough how vital it is to allow your kids in the kitchen.

Another vital aspect of my Toddler Chef ethos involves the ‘PR’ skills, games and techniques that I’ve developed – this is almost where gastronomy meets psychology. It’s hugely important to create positive messages around food and these games and techniques underpin everything I do. Think of them as part of your tool kit.

Cookbooks these days often follow a specific theme (speedy, low-fat, vegetarian, Italian etc). In this respect the recipes here may appear to follow no rhyme or reason: some are low-fat, while a few are fried, some are super-simple, others a little more sophisticated, some can be made in less than 60 seconds – one recipe in particular can take up to 3 days to complete. The point I’m making is that my primary concern (or theme) is to simply get your kids excited about good food. To this end I’ve handpicked the recipes (and tips) that have been the most successful in this objective – with my own kids, and those who come to my workshops – including the fussiest of eaters.

But this book isn’t just for fussy eaters – or for toddlers. I hope that parents with kids of every age will find imaginative and inspiring ideas here too. In total I tackle 25 food stuffs (although there are actually over 75 recipes and ideas). I bet your child can be persuaded to enjoy at least 24!

THE 25 RULES

EVERY PARENT SHOULD READ BEFORE BRIBING WITH CHOCOLATE

1. SET ASIDE THE TIME

These days it seems we’re cash strapped and time poor – and I’m the first to admit to these challenges of family life. Equally I’m convinced that it’s so incredibly vital to set aside small pockets of time to cook with your kids because if you don’t teach them (and inspire that love of food), it's doubtful anyone else will. I do worry that the 21st century is creating families who thrive on fast food and ready-meals but are unable to pass down basic cookery skills (or treasured family recipes) to their kids. Don’t forget – good eating habits have to be learnt, and therefore taught. Some of the fondest memories I have of my Irish granny are of being perched up on the pub kitchen worktop while she made hearty soups and stews, allowing me to try a few spoonfuls or even stir in some ingredients. Likewise my mum practically weaned me on TV cookery shows when the only celebrity chefs were Delia and Rusty Lee!

2. TAKE A DEEP BREATH – AND GO SHOPPING WITH THE KIDS

Again, I’m not exactly ‘on trend’ here – and have certainly had my fair share of bored, grumpy kids in shopping trolleys. I’m not suggesting for one minute that you take them on every food shop (and neither am I eschewing online grocery shopping – a godsend for the over-worked, time-stretched parent). But involving your kids in some small way is not only fun for them, it’s empowering too. If they can’t come shopping, can they help write out (and decide) on the shopping list? Give them choices – ‘shall we have carrots or peas with our lasagne tonight?’; attempt to create a sense of discovery and excitement if you are out shopping – ‘ooh, this fruit looks unusual – shall we try it?’ If you’re more of an online (or lone) shopper, you could still involve kids by letting them help you unpack, discussing how and what you can both cook together.

3. GROW YOUR OWN

I’m no Charlie Dimmock (come to that, I’m no Nigella either) but have learnt a few basics along the way. You simply cannot beat the taste and satisfaction of growing and eating your own food – even if this is as simple as a few herb pots on the windowsill. I’ll never forget being introduced by my English nan to the joys of finding that first home-grown tomato: the lingering aroma, the warm sweetness . . . bliss! If you’re a complete beginner (as I was, preparenting), ask a green-fingered friend to help create a small vegetable patch in your garden, borrow a book from the library or record and watch relevant TV shows.

4. . . . OR AT LEAST PICK-YOUR-OWN

There’s something immensely satisfying about spending a summer’s afternoon picking fruit and veg in season – strawberries in particular. Check local papers and notices for details of PYO farms – or simply ask around, especially in villages. I’m all for organic produce – but for me it’s just as important to try and eat seasonally and locally. If it’s in season, it’ll taste great as it hasn’t been forcibly grown. If it’s local it’ll also taste great because it’s fresh and won’t have travelled for miles on end. Local, seasonal fruit and veg should be fairly easy on the purse strings too. And it just feels good, supporting local farmers. Having said all this, I’m not adverse to buying a gorgeous sweet pineapple or mango from the Caribbean – or to using frozen veg (often frozen veg is packaged very quickly after harvesting, so it retains many important nutrients; frozen peas are a definite staple in our house).

5. GET EAGER ABOUT OMEGAS

I’m pretty evangelical about those so-called ‘good fats’ and healthy omega oils you may have read about. They’re found in abundance in things such as oily fish, avocados, nuts and seeds. Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils belong to a family of fats known as essential fatty acids. These are vital to our bodies – and have been linked (in some studies) to significantly helping kids with issues such as ADHD, dyspraxia and poor concentration levels at school. On a similar note try and avoid saturated fats and (in particular) any foods with trans-fats.

6. BECOME A MARKETING GURU

While adults generally eat with their taste buds, smell, and emotions, kids eat with their ears, eyes and head. If they don’t like the look or sound of something, they probably won’t eat it, regardless of how it tastes. Not only this but in my experience it’s fair to say that most kids don’t especially care whether or not something is good for them. So all your best efforts in imploring them to eat their greens ‘because they’ll make you big and strong’ are probably futile. Young kids in particular have a limited grasp of nutritional values. Kids do care though about how things look – and unfortunately many seem to be hard-wired to hate ‘green foods’. With each section in this book, I’ll show you how to ‘market and PR’ those foods in the most effective way possible – from broccoli trees to potato pillows. And never underestimate the power of using a cookie cutter to create fun sandwiches!

7. RELAX – FUSSINESS IS A NATURAL PHASE

It might help you to know that most kids go through a scientifically proven ‘fussy eating stage’ (usually somewhere around the 18-month mark). This is thought to be linked to children gravitating towards a sense of independence and their awareness that they are actually able to make choices for themselves – as well as get a reaction from you. Try leaving the room next time they play up with their food – though quietly watch them from a distance to ensure they’re safe. It’s also thought by some child psychologists that ‘fussy eating’ is actually a genetic part of human development: a cautious attitude spawned by our prehistoric ancestry when we had to learn what was and wasn’t poisonous.

8. NEITHER REWARD NOR PUNISH WITH FOOD

I base this on a very interesting theory called the ‘over-justification hypothesis’. The premise here is that kids enjoy something less if they realise they are being rewarded for eating it – i.e. kids ain’t stupid! Essentially, if you reward a child with something sweet because they have eaten something they find less palatable, it creates a sense that the sweet food is ‘good’ and the other is ‘bad’ (or a punishment) – thus reinforcing the cycle of the child not wanting to eat anything other than the sweet food. This book is all about creating and reinforcing positive messages about food and eating in general.

9. PERSEVERE

Research suggests a child needs to see a new food on average 20 times before they’ll want to try it. If they refuse a new food on their plate, don’t make a fuss or draw attention to it. If they insist on not having it on their plate, ask if they’d mind ‘if mummy or daddy can have it instead?' Ensure you enthusiastically eat it off their plate with a genuine ‘ooh thank you, that was delicious!’

10. OFFER REALISTIC PORTION SIZES

Remember: little tummies only need little portions. Much better to eat one spoonful of peas than none at all. It’s sometimes also worth asking the very obvious question: are they actually hungry at the moment? On the subject of size, do also chop vegetables and meat right down to small cubes or chunks – I’ve found this really does help.

11. WATCH THE SNACK ATTACKS

Parents these days seem obsessed with snacks! Although small children are natural ‘grazers’ I’d be careful that the snacks you offer are not too filling and are not offered too close to mealtimes. I’d certainly introduce a Last Call for Snacks and preclude kids filling up within 2–3 hours of a main meal. That said, try to be in tune with your child’s individual needs. Some kids need heavier snacks (particularly if they’re involved in lots of outdoor and physical activities). Another key is to ensure that you always have some fruit or veggie snacks stored away for when they are hungry. I’ve found it’s far easier to entice them to eat a few veg crudités and dips when they’ve just come in from school and are genuinely hungry.

12. DON’T FALL INTO THE ‘EAT EVERY LAST SCRAP’ TRAP

This is particularly important for children who appear to have issues with over-eating or excess weight. By forcing kids to eat ‘every last scrap’ you are encouraging them to not only over-eat (if they are genuinely not hungry) but also asking them to ignore the vital ‘I’m full’ signals from their brain. This in turn can lead to overeating later in life. Equally, try not to let them eat for emotional reasons (such as boredom or sadness). In fact this is an ingrained habit for many of us, and one that I admit I can often struggle with myself.

13. ENCOURAGE ‘SILLY SUPPERS’

When your kids are a bit older, create a sense of empowerment (and excitement around food) by enabling them to decide what you’ll have for dinner once a week/fortnight/month. Be warned: it may be chips and ice cream all round – but don’t fight this. In fact, if the food they choose then makes them feel a little hyperactive, tired or sickly, this is a great lesson learnt. Try not to judge but to encourage self-expression – ‘why do you think you felt so hungry or so sick after having all that chocolate for supper?’ Use it as an opportunity to discuss how certain foods make us feel if we indulge in too much of them.

14. INVITE FOODIE FRIENDS

This is a tried-and-tested technique. You’d be amazed at what your child will eat when he or she sees their best friend tucking into the same with gusto. Peer pressure at its most effective!

15. EMPLOY THE DISTRACTION TECHNIQUE

Shock-comment alert! I’m a great fan of offering healthy snacks in front of a kids’ favourite TV show (it’s the ‘hand-to-mouth’ action). If you can get them eating healthy snacks in front of a TV cookery show, that’s a double-whammy! I’ve found that my obsession with foodie shows has gone a long way in inspiring my kids to eat – Darcey’s current favourite is the Barefoot Contessa! Equally this works on long, arduous car journeys (obviously watch for choking hazards, particularly with small kids). This technique always did the trick with Elsie, my younger daughter, who’d refuse carrots on her plate but happily much away on one in the car, staring out of the window.

16. BE PATIENT – AND DON’T PANIC

One of the things I tell parents who come to my Toddler Chef workshops is that good eating habits take time. Some kids take to new ideas immediately; others can take weeks before they even consider trying anything new. Kids won’t actually allow themselves to starve to death – and it’s extremely doubtful they’ll become malnourished either. If you’re seriously concerned about your child’s eating habits, do consult your GP.

17. CHANGE THE SCENERY

This is another ‘marketing’ technique from Toddler Chef HQ. Have a tea party in your child’s playhouse, a lunch picnic in the garden or even supper on a rug in the lounge. Shake up the routine a bit, stick on a CD and make it fun by allowing teddy or their favourite toy to join in too.

18. WATCH THE LOW-FAT AND LOW-SUGAR ALTERNATIVES

While I agree that too much fat and sugar is a bad thing, I’d far rather see sugar than an artificial sweetener. Check the ingredients and research these chemicals – because that’s exactly what they are. So-called ‘juice drinks’ and cordials can be real ‘chemical culprits’. Remember: while sugar and other fats can be burnt off with exercise, chemicals stay in your child’s bloodstream and have been linked to hyperactivity amongst other things. Go online, do your research and make up your own mind.

19. . . . BUT DON’T BECOME THE PARTY BAG EQUIVALENT TO THE SPANISH INQUISITION!

On the other hand, it’s rare to find a children’s birthday party gift bag without a stash of chewy sweets laden with all manner of chemicals and additives. I relax the rules on party bags as I don’t want anything to become the coveted ‘forbidden fruit’. And to be honest, I secretly love the odd sweetie myself.

20. TAKE THEM OUT

This tip works on two levels: firstly, get them out and about in the fresh air (nothing better to build up an appetite). Secondly, and if budgets allow, take them to a restaurant now and again. There’s nothing more rewarding than being able to take your child to a restaurant in the knowledge that they know what’s expected of them and how to behave. Pick and choose venues wisely (many chains now have reasonably good kids’ menus and table activities) and don’t have unrealistic expectations of very young children. If you don’t all sit together as a family to eat at home, your child won’t be at all used to doing this at a restaurant. As with good eating habits, good table manners must be learnt and therefore taught – and once again, these start at home.

21. THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S PERSONALITY