On Becoming Part Chicken Nugget
I was chatting with a friend the other day. We were talking about our kiddos and their favorite dishes. She confessed her child was basically 99% chicken nuggets at this point. She also told me that her child and his limited list of "acceptable foods" was keeping HER from eating healthy dishes. She was too tired to cook multiple meals - so she found herself becoming part chicken nugget too.
Let me say this, The Wigleys all love Chicken Nuggets too - but it's not an every day thing and I refuse to make 2-3 meals at night to meet the demands of picky littles. That's just not sustainable.
Hear me mama, frozen Chicken nuggets and microwave Mac and Cheese didn’t exist 75 years ago. So I promise, your kid won’t starve without them (Sorry for being spicy).
Here are some tips I've used to get my kiddos (and in turn all of us) eating healthier -
1. MODEL it.
Show them what a healthy plate looks like. Show them how YOU enjoy eating delicious, well balanced meals. Talk about how yummy the food is and how it serves your body well.
2. Invite them to the grocery store.
I can feel you rolling your eyes right now but when I set the limits in the parking lots - Whole Foods - and have them help me pick out meats and produce, they are much more likely to eat it. They will take pride in eating what they chose.
3. Invite them into the cooking process.
I know it’s messy. But it is a learning (and laughing) opportunity. It builds confidence in them - and they take pride in their creations.
4. Make their plate less overwhelming.
We often serve the same protein to the whole family along with one side, but then we make sure to put something we know they love on the plate, such as fruit and maybe some easy veggies with dip.
5. Stay consistent.
It gets better with time. Stick to it. Explain the whole family is doing this together. Keep offering them new foods. It will eventually click that this is actually pretty good. And it is much less stressful on everyone.
6. Allow for treats
Just like I always tell clients to enjoy a treat with balance, kids need to do the same. Food has two purposes: 1) for fuel and 2) for enjoyment. We can find balance in both. This will also help create a healthy relationship with food as your child grows older.
What’s a food your kids have surprised you by liking lately?
For Evelyn, it would have to be soup
For Eleanor, it’s definitely her love of hard boiled eggs
Talk soon,
Brandi