Healthy Eating

Ticklemouse

Another thing to add to my shopping list then - cheers for that tip Becles

chugalug

Reading this thread reminded me of how I cured my children of the 'dont like that' syndrom. I got fed up of being moaned at every dinner time by one or other of them so served up beans on toast every night for a week. They soon learned to appreciate my culinary efforts he he he!!!!

tiff

I'm suffering from that big time with my 7 year old. Dont like this, dont like that yet I know damn well he eats it without complaints elsewhere! Did you really do beans on toast every night? I've got no qualms about doing that, I think you have to be tough sometimes

Going off the point a bit, I usually give them sandwiches in their packed lunch which just lately they havent eaten, so, inspired by Queenie or someone I cant remember who, I decided to change it a bit and this morning they went off to school with pitta bread toasted and cut into strips and some home made houmus that they helped me to make. Also some giant sized dried fruit from Lidls and a pear and an apple. They both went off saying, "yummy scrummy"!
We're making home made (there's that hip word again) pizzas at the weekend so I'm going to make some bread sticks and cheese straws for them to have on Monday. Thanks to everyone for all tips, this is an education!

Spendless

tiff- my son then aged 4 announced to me after i'd served up his meal that he didn't like it. (one he'd eaten countless times before).

I refused to do an alternative and put dish to one side. Each time he said he was hungry i put his meal out. About an hour and a half later he gave in and ate it!!!

He's never done it since lol ; - )

tiff

I might try that too. I never make an alternative but they know that if they dont eat their dinner then there is no pudding, as usually they try to skip dinner so they can have pudding. Dont know where they get that idea because the rules havent changed! He does eventually eat it, but sometimes I have to feed him and he will eat it all then. A touch of lazyitis I suppose, or just tiredness. Its the initial moaning that I cant stand, makes you feel that cooking for them is such a waste of time. Even my husband got fed up with him last night and sent him to his room until he could behave properly.

moggins

My 11 year old son amazed me last night, I made a chicken liver risotto, fully expecting him to turn his nose up at it, I refused to tell him what was in it, just said try it and if you really don't like it you can leave it.

He ate it, and all he left was the mushrooms!

aeuerby

My pair amazed me last night by eating courgettes!!!

They've had them before but "hidden" in casseroles etc. but last night they were there for all to see.

My son said he thought they were cucumber!!!

Becles

I've noticed a lot of people metion desserts and puddings.

We never have one for an everyday meal, and just have one on special occasions like birthdays, Mothers Day, Easter Sunday etc.

Would it make children eat the main course if they knew there was no pudding to follow? Just a thought!

tiff

Good point Becles but my son is mad on puddings and I get the attitude problem if I havent got one. I dont do one every day, but he always asks on the way home from school. He loves anything with custard, last night I made a bread and butter pudding but he loves any type of crumble or pie. Not too good for you sugar wise I suppose but they are traditional puddings. My husband said when he was growing up they never used to have a pudding during the week, only with Sunday lunch, whereas we always had a pudding every night, if not a hot one we would have ice cream, tinned fruit and arctic roll, angel delight etc. He loves it when I make one.

My problem is he does eat his dinner eventually, its the attitude problem that I have an issue with. Maybe your suggestion would cure it although I'm not sure if I want to give up puddings entirely. Would be interested in anyone elses point of view on this

foreverskint

hi tiff,
I have two older daughters a step daughter and a baby.
When the older ones were little they would always fuss about what they ate, like yours I hated the whining. One night I completely lost it, looked at the plate of food I was holding,(checking first to make sure it wasn't the best china and simply dropped the plate of food on the floor. My daughter looked horrified cried and said now what am i going to eat!!!

I have never looked back and have those loveley kids now who ask me to buy brussells and spinach etc.

My step daughter on the otherhand looks at the meals i put in front of her as if i'm trying to do away with her. She is a complete junk food and sweet addict and it shows (5 fillings by the age of 6 and a big weight problem. If she won't eat what i have cooked then it simply goes in the bin and there are no puddings and no treats for anyone. Peer presure works as her older step sisters used to plead with her to eat so that they got pudding.

she will now eat too even though i'm still getting the looks.

I find now if they won't eat it just goes in the bin no fuss no argument and no alternatives. Going to bed hungry a couple of times soon does the trick.

OMG just read this back, I sound awful. I'm not really just want to bring up kids with a good attitude.
good luck