Posted May 11, 2011
A Boston Globe story that suggests the best way to avoid raising a picky eater is to put unique tastes and textures on toddlers’ plates. Food preferences may actually start taking shape, says the story, in utero: “A child’s initial likes or dislikes may, in fact, be acquired during the mother’s pregnancy, according to developing scientific data. Children ‘may be more prone to accept spicy foods if mom is not only eating spicy foods while pregnant, but while breast-feeding,’ says Suzanne Rostler, a clinical nutritionist for the Optimal Weight for Life program at Children’s Hospital Boston.”
One of the culprits may be offering wee ones baby food instead of small bites of the same dishes the rest of the family eats. According to the Globe: “If you go around the world, children aren’t given specific baby foods or toddler-friendly food,” says Jamie S. Stang of the University of Minnesota, a specialist on child and maternal nutrition. “That is a sort of food-marketing thing. Kids need a more varied diet.”
Another important point made in the story: Most children’s menus do the exact opposite of what most parents want by leaning on things like chicken nuggets and pizza, which are both dull and not all that healthful.
— Leslie Cole
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