I'm really glad that Bittman has commented on the phenomenon of cook books which show parents how to hide "healthy foods" in "desirable foods" in the effort to get their kids to eat well. What is this suppose to teach kids? How will this shape kids' long term attitudes towards foods? What does this say about contemporary parenting?
I have been a community chef for Just Food for a couple of years now, and I think its amazing how excited kids get about fruits and veggies if you make it fun and exciting. Why resort to smoke and mirrors?
Check out Bittman's commentary here.
4 comments:
I totally agree. My mom used to hide carrots in my burgers, and I still am frustrated about it today! LOL!
But I agree, if you just assume kids don't like veggies, which IS the overarching assumption today, then you are going to attempt to deceive them. However, if you just make it fun, and delicious, they will love it.
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Oh, absolutely! I think you have to give kids (or anyone) the chance to taste fresh veggies (and other things) - they will probably like them a lot. Hiding them is not only deceptive but sending out a really negative message.
I completely agree with you. If children get in touch with real food, its source, how it grows, what it tastes like when it is fresh and organic, how it feels to create with food, they will most certainly learn to enjoy eating. They need to be included in the process of cooking and creating.
I just "met" you through Jenn the Leftover Queen. I am so glad! I am a firm believer that your children should eat what you eat and you should be eating lots of fruits and vegetables! My children have learned where food comes from and even how to best cook it. Yes, they have their favorites (Zucchini)and their hated (beets) ones but they still have to taste a bit of it! Every time I serve it! This hiding food just undermines everything that we are trying to teach them (honesty, good character and the ability to think for themselves). Not a good trend at all!
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