The Kids' Eating Habits

Kids love eating. Studies show that exposure to new different foods is important especially for growing kids. Before they fancy a particular food, children must be exposed to them first 10- 15 times. It is very tempting to just bring the kids to restaurants that are so- called “kid- friendly” where you can order “kid foods” from their “kid menus”. If you continue serving your kids with foods that comes in chunk or those served in Styrofoam, then you might just end up having children with narrow palates as well as general cluelessness on how to behave at restaurants.

The solution for this is to try going to real restaurants which serve foods that are more sophisticated and adventurous compared to your fast food chains. These are a few reminders on introducing new food to your children.

How to make the children take that first bite

• Do not make a big deal about the new food. Just let the kids see that the grown- ups eat new foods and enjoy doing so.

• You wouldn’t want to lie to your children but you might casually ask them “You want to taste this”. Then if they ask you what the new food is, just say that “It taste like steak” (Thus making it seem like it tastes like venison). Or you can also say “Grab a bite and maybe you can make a guess on what it is.”

• You can always use bribes as incentives: “A dollar for whoever can first guess what this new food is.” Or try saying “Try the new food first then you get to buy a dessert.”

• If they hate the food, don’t force them to eat it. If they aren’t sure, suggest that they try eating the food again, maybe with lemon, pepper or soy sauce.

When in the Restaurants...

Here are some tips on how eat- outs at restaurants can be fun and enjoyable for everyone.

• Always have some papers or coloring materials like pens and crayons inside your bag or purse. This is the strategy used by restaurants that are kid- friendly. For older children, you can try making them play “dots” or hangman.

• Do not a big deal about dress codes. Many restaurants nowadays don’t really mind about customers wearing casual clothes. By choosing a restaurant with a comfortable dress code, you are a step closer to making them try new foods.

• Do not allow the kids to drink the sugary soda first before food is served.

• Do not let the waiter serve foods to the children first. Otherwise, the children might be impatient before everyone has eaten the main course.

• Do not invite other kids who have narrower palates than your children.

• Allow them to walk at the lobby or the bathroom. Go with them so you can teach them how to display acceptable behavior at restaurants.

• Do not allow your child to order an expensive food which he hasn’t even tried before. Make her taste a portion of it first before you can let her do so.

See: How to start a daycare business