The New Food Tally

My non-blogging guilt is getting as heavy as my summer dinner guilt.  How come as soon as school is out we throw our nutritional guidelines out with the school books? Hot dogs and watermelon constitute a fully balanced meal and frozen oil product, I mean ice cream from the ice cream truck is a special dessert. But the relaxed eating does have some pay-offs. My formerly picky eater is adding new things to his diet all the time, sadly they are not mainstream items like cheese or scrambled eggs but dates, Pad Thai and General Tso’s chicken are now all ok.  The shocking thing about this is that Pad Thai and the General’s chicken all have sauce. This is the boy who originated the quote in Whining and Dining: “Sauce makes my knees hurt.” Of course, I have to make sure that the Pad Thai is “clean” and does not have any green things in it but small steps! 

We talk about how it takes an adventurous spirit to try new things and the boys like to think of themselves as superheroes who can conquer the world (or at least each other). So the acknowledgement that trying new things is a risk and takes some bravery has helped.

Z.’s ability to describe what he tastes is quite amazing. He described the watermelon lemonade that I made as sweet and sour fighting it out on his tongue and can often isolate different flavours. If only he would use that power for good!!

Z.’s new food tally: 5

Hamburgers on the bun (only from Weber’s but it’s a start)

Dates (big winner, and I quote: “Mummy these taste like brown sugar and caramel but healthy.”

General Tso’s Chicken

Pad Thai with chicken (two things with sauce on the same plate!!)

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumble

One miss: Chick Peas. He likes all pea-like veggies and nuts so I thought maybe chick peas might make it. Big no – Disgusting, followed by a tongue scrape. 

T.’s new food tally: 2

Romaine Lettuce

Coleslaw

N.’s New Food Tally: 0

(well, the Pad Thai did touch his tongue for half a second. And I refuse to add super sours to this list)

Comments

[Katie]

Nice to read about the progress your kids are making. My 2 year old -- who used to eat EVERYTHING -- is fully in control mode now at the table, so every meal's an adventure. On the plus side, my 4 year old will now eat a token piece of broccoli with pride & gusto (just don't ask het to take a second piece!).

Hope you're enjoying the summer.