Do you encourage your children to try different foods?

Contributor: Rossie Rossie
Do you encourage your children to try new/different foods? Or would you rather let your children miss out on seriously good foods because of your own food preference? As a person, I love foods from all different cultures, including very spicy foods and dishes some considered weird. I always encourage my kids to try everything, so they have wonderful experience with all kinds of delicious foods. It bothers me to see a lot of children not wanting to eat this and that.
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
I encourage my kids to try everything (except things they might be allergic to).
MrWishyWashy , Darklyvan , DustBunny , Peaches2000 , PeaceToTheMiddleEast , Master DarkWolf , BBW Talks Toys , Beck , Sammi , Terri69 , P'Gell , Nacht Stern , soe , Munko , Kitka , CountryPrincess , Bignuf , Msmueller
18
I let my kids decide for themselves.
My kids only get to eat whatever I like.
Other...
Missmarc , Kissy , DreamWolf , Melan!e , Allstars316 , ViVix , Tangles , dv8 , MissCandyland
9
Total votes: 27 (27 voters)
Poll is closed
05/05/2012
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Contributor: Missmarc Missmarc
Quote:
Originally posted by Rossie
Do you encourage your children to try new/different foods? Or would you rather let your children miss out on seriously good foods because of your own food preference? As a person, I love foods from all different cultures, including very spicy foods ... more
If I had children, I'd definitely encourage my children to try different foods, especially different cuisines from different countries. My boyfriend and I always joke about how our children are going to end up only want McDonald's. It would be the biggest nightmare of our lives. LOL!
05/05/2012
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
Quote:
Originally posted by Missmarc
If I had children, I'd definitely encourage my children to try different foods, especially different cuisines from different countries. My boyfriend and I always joke about how our children are going to end up only want McDonald's. It would ... more
Happy to know that. It's wonderful for children (and adults alike) to experience global cuisines and learn to appreciate them.
05/05/2012
Contributor: MrWishyWashy MrWishyWashy
My four year old son is a fan of spicy tuna rolls (sushi), so that's pretty cool! I try to avoid fast food with them and try different foods as much as I can.
05/05/2012
Contributor: Darklyvan Darklyvan
Quote:
Originally posted by Rossie
Do you encourage your children to try new/different foods? Or would you rather let your children miss out on seriously good foods because of your own food preference? As a person, I love foods from all different cultures, including very spicy foods ... more
my son eats healthier than i do
05/05/2012
Contributor: Kissy Kissy
No kids. But I would try my hardest not to have picky, spoiled babies.
05/05/2012
Contributor: DustBunny DustBunny
No kids, but as a trained chef I feel people should give food a chance in a few ways. You may have tried brussel sprouts when someone boiled them and hate them, but you may like them if someone oven roasted them.
05/05/2012
Contributor: Peaches2000 Peaches2000
Quote:
Originally posted by Rossie
Do you encourage your children to try new/different foods? Or would you rather let your children miss out on seriously good foods because of your own food preference? As a person, I love foods from all different cultures, including very spicy foods ... more
At our house, our kids get one food that they can absolutely refuse to eat under any circumstance, but only one. The rest, they have to try at least 2 bites.
05/05/2012
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
Quote:
Originally posted by DustBunny
No kids, but as a trained chef I feel people should give food a chance in a few ways. You may have tried brussel sprouts when someone boiled them and hate them, but you may like them if someone oven roasted them.
That's how I cook my brussel sprouts, coat them with mixed crushed pepper, sea salt and olive oil, then brown them in the oven.
05/05/2012
Contributor: DreamWolf DreamWolf
Other, I have no lil ones, only my PreciousMaster does...
05/05/2012
Contributor: Master DarkWolf Master DarkWolf
I encourage them to try different foods.
05/05/2012
Contributor: Melan!e Melan!e
I don't have kids so I put other but I someday I plan on having kids and when I do I want them to try everything (provided that its good for them and won't hurt them) at least once. I think it's important for kids to have open minds about trying new things, whether it be food or new activities...
05/05/2012
Contributor: spineyogurt spineyogurt
Of course! Lots of veggies!
05/05/2012
Contributor: Allstars316 Allstars316
No kids here. But I know my mother tried to do it. But I had none of it. I'm getting better now.
05/06/2012
Contributor: Beck Beck
I try, but my toddler isn't interested. My 1year old will eat anything, but he's allergic to nuts so we have to be careful.
05/06/2012
Contributor: ViVix ViVix
Quote:
Originally posted by Rossie
Do you encourage your children to try new/different foods? Or would you rather let your children miss out on seriously good foods because of your own food preference? As a person, I love foods from all different cultures, including very spicy foods ... more
If my daughter isn't interested in it after I offer it twice, I don't force it on her. Otherwise it's just a waste of food and money.
05/06/2012
Contributor: Tangles Tangles
Other because I don't have kids, but if I did, I would DEFINITELY encourage them to be adventurous eaters!
05/06/2012
Contributor: Terri69 Terri69
I love to try new foods!!!
05/06/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
My Man and I have always offered new and interesting foods to our children. I used to think that the reason some kids only ate "kid" junk food was only because they were only offered this type of food. Although I think this is often the reason a lot of kids eat only hot dogs and chicken nuggets, I had my ass kicked on my theory when our youngest became a very picky eater. It was around the time she weaned, she started gagging at the sight or smell of strongly flavored foods, going to restaurants became nearly impossible and she was eventually diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. She also has Tourette Syndrome and Aspergers Syndrome, so this is completely neurological.

Some kids are "Super Tasters" and anything strongly flavored or smelling will cause gagging and food refusal. When you see a kid eating nothing but chicken nuggets, pizza and hot dogs, don't be judgmental and automatically think their parents are not doing their job. The child could have a serious, impossible to treat neurological disorder that is causing their food needs.

Our older two kids are very adventurous eaters, the youngest has a limited diet. Even therapy hadn't helped. It sucks, but, what bothers me the most is when people think I only "allowed" her to have crappy foods. People are SO fucking judgmental when it comes to other people's kids, (everything is "the parent's fault") especially when they themselves have no children and are clueless about child rearing (NO, nieces and nephews over for the weekend do NOT count as "knowing how to take care of kids") or only have a little baby and have yet to have their ass kicked by child rearing IRL!

I agree that introducing children to interesting and new foods is always a good idea. But, if you get a kid with Sensory Processing Disorder who is a Super Taster, all that work will be for naught.
06/05/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Peaches2000
At our house, our kids get one food that they can absolutely refuse to eat under any circumstance, but only one. The rest, they have to try at least 2 bites.
What happens when they explosively vomit it across the room, then spend the rest of the evening ill, don't trust you to feed them for the next month and nobody enjoys meals for weeks because the child gags whenever she sees or even smells food?

That's MY situation. So, I NEVER force food. It may work with some kids, but not with all.
06/05/2012
Contributor: Nacht Stern Nacht Stern
If I had kids I would encourage them to be adventurous.
06/05/2012
Contributor: Munko Munko
We are only just adventuring into foods and textures, tastes, etc. My little one is almost 13 months and for now, a fantastic eater. She does have some taste/texture issues, but not many, she's not very picky. I try to have her try just about anything I can, even if I don't like it. It's not my choice what she eats and if she grows to love something I can't stand, I'll make myself learn to like it, for her sake! I know there may come a day where she wants grilled cheese for every meal, but for now I'm having fun letting her try new things and seeing all the things she likes - she loves lemons and dill pickles!

That said, I don't push foods. I have a long, long, history, education and career working with kids, so feeding issues in typical and exceptional kids are not new to me. I feel it's important to allow kids to have a say and have control over their own bodies, feelings, etc. It's also important to not force them to override their body's signal of when they're full. It can lead to over-eating when they're older, as they lose the ability to recognize they're full and satisfied. If they sit at the table and say they don't want any of anything, that's fine. They won't starve, I know that...I don't push it.
03/15/2013
Contributor: Kitka Kitka
As long it's something that's definitely gluten-free, we always encourage our little guy to try new things. One bite to figure if he likes it or not and if not then he doesn't have to keep eating it.
03/15/2013
Contributor: CountryPrincess CountryPrincess
I have the rule that everyone in my house has to try everything once
03/15/2013