What we feed children is influencing what they like.

What we feed children is influencing what they like. Parents often work so hard to discover what their children’s favorite foods are. Instead of searching, help them discover a range of foods to develop their tastebuds for preferences for variety. If you expose children to a wide range of foods, over time they will develop a taste for a range of foods. Eventually they will develop preferences as they discover new foods. Remember it can take 8-10 exposures in different preparations in different settings to enjoy a new food. Try not to give up too soon. At an early age it is our job to help them develop their tastebuds. Teach your children to have a taste preference that enjoys eating the rainbow, which will allow them to get all the nutrients they need to thrive. 

So often we develop children’s taste buds for macaroni and cheese, quesadillas, pizza, pasta, and grilled cheese. These foods can be wonderful in moderation, but it utilized over and over again…we are training their tastebuds to enjoy many versions of the same food. If offered in repetition these foods teach kids to enjoy empty carbohydrates and cheese. Yes, if given the choice many children would eat these foods everyday. It is up to us as parents to decide what kids eat, and it is up to our children to decide if they will eat and how much.