what went wrong?
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
Calgary, Alberta
August 30, 2012 9:45am CST
I had seen parents who eats healthy and have lots of vegetables on their diet but for some unknown reason their kids are picky eaters who hates vegetables and only wants to eat processed Junk foods. what do you think is the mistake of the parents and why their kids turned into picky eaters who hates vegetables? Why do you think many parents never get to pass their eating good habits to their kids? I visited my sister few days ago and his son is such an annoying kid, The kid is acting like he is being beaten when i being asked by his mom to eat vegetables. His tantrums against vegetables is insane.
2 people like this
11 responses
@adforme (2114)
•
30 Aug 12
As a kid, I was a picky eater myself. It is hard to believe now. I like to explore different meals and eat my vegetables. There really is a nutritional value to whatever is eaten; with that in mind, the more nutrition the better. This is especially true for kids. Getting children to eat more vegetables has become a little easier. Case in point, a jar of pasta sauce; it can have more than a full serving of vegetables. Having spaghetti is a way to do this. Steamed brocolli with cheese, not so bad. Sweet potatoes are good, add cinnamon and it will make a kid go through the roof. Vegetables can be quite good and are good for you.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
31 Aug 12
I learned to eat broccoli because its served to my chinese style, you know sauteed in oyster sauce and garlic.
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Aug 12
I think that adults do not see or understand how their own idiosincrancies affect a child. If one parent is oohing and ahhing and the child sees it it does send a message. I would give this child who has the tantrums alot of options as far as vegetables are concerned. And if the parents eat them the child should be more able to eat them. Priviledges taken away unless he eats alittle of one vegetable. But, it all comes down to whether the parents want to make this an issue or not.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Sep 12
You are totally right. My daughter did the same thing with her son. And now we are working hard to undo alot of her damage.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
30 Aug 12
My sisters gives in to her son's tantrums a lot, I told her she is the mother, her son should not be controlling her. she should be the one to influence her son.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
30 Aug 12
It's difficult when kids are young. Fast foods/junk foods taste good to them. Lots of things that are sweet or salty or even greasy... to a kid, they are appealing. Vegetables often have very strong flavors - savory, bitter, etc. - that, as adults, we appreciate and enjoy... but, for kids, it takes them time to acquire the taste for some of those foods.
I remember when I was starting my girls on baby food. My pediatrician told me to always make sure I fed them vegetables before offering any fruit. He told me that, if they have the fruit first or at the same time as the vegetables, they will very likely ONLY want to eat the fruit.
Also, the texture of vegetables is sometimes not appealing to kids. It's often better to just offer their vegetables raw. Cut-up veggies with a dip on the side is one way to interest them. Kids like finger foods :) Unfortunately, some parents have to find ways to "hide" veggies in other foods until their children acquire more of a willingness to eat them (like grated carrots cooked into spaghetti sauce, as an example). Most important, parents have to resist the urge to allow the junk foods in the home. Bottom line is pretty much that the kids can't have what isn't available.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
30 Aug 12
Once I am a dad, I will never introduce fast food to my kids, I want them to eat lotsof vegetables, I will also introduce seafoods and organ meats to them. I will make sure they wont turn into finicky picky eaters. I want them to have a highly organic Balanced diet.
I think many parents gave up from the cries, screams and tantrums of kids thats why they gave on vegetables, those parents wanted the easy way. My nephew really irritated me, I know he is just a kid but I dont like the way my sister is raising him. the kid is currentlyover weight because of all those fast food.The kid doesn't eat fresh cooked meat neither, he prefers processed meat,
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
30 Aug 12
It's such a shame, CaptAlbertWhisker, that your nephew is already overweight at a very young age. That can be something he will struggle with for all of his life, unfortunately 
Naturally, we do have to be careful at what age we introduce certain foods to children -- for example with shellfish, if there is a family history of allergies or the child has asthma, it's always best to consult the doctor before offering those foods. But, ultimately, the more variety we give our children, the easier it becomes for them to eat healthy and make good choices.
I grew up with parents who insisted that I TRY everything. I had to eat some of everything on my plate and then, if I truly disliked something, I wasn't made to eat it. There is certainly no benefit to being combative or forcing kids to eat. However, having said that, I don't believe in giving in to a child that "demands" fast food instead of what is on their plate. In my home, it was understood that you eat the meal that has been prepared for you and there is no other meal.
My daughters were raised on healthy food... and any type of fast food was a "once in awhile" treat. I don't think anything is "bad" if taken in moderation. I had no problems with taking them for a hamburger and fries when we went out to a movie, for example... because it was a "special day out" and not what we would normally do.
I think the problem we see today is that families have created such busy, stressful lives -- enrolling kids in so many activities that just trying to keep up with the family schedule is nearly impossible. Kids are being fed fast food, in the car, on the way to soccer practice or dance lessons or what have you... or there's fried chicken or pizza on the table so everyone can "hurry up and eat" and get where they need to be. It's not that surprising, then, that kids develop poor eating habits and weight issues. The obesity numbers among children is frightening
Naturally, we do have to be careful at what age we introduce certain foods to children -- for example with shellfish, if there is a family history of allergies or the child has asthma, it's always best to consult the doctor before offering those foods. But, ultimately, the more variety we give our children, the easier it becomes for them to eat healthy and make good choices.
I grew up with parents who insisted that I TRY everything. I had to eat some of everything on my plate and then, if I truly disliked something, I wasn't made to eat it. There is certainly no benefit to being combative or forcing kids to eat. However, having said that, I don't believe in giving in to a child that "demands" fast food instead of what is on their plate. In my home, it was understood that you eat the meal that has been prepared for you and there is no other meal.
My daughters were raised on healthy food... and any type of fast food was a "once in awhile" treat. I don't think anything is "bad" if taken in moderation. I had no problems with taking them for a hamburger and fries when we went out to a movie, for example... because it was a "special day out" and not what we would normally do.
I think the problem we see today is that families have created such busy, stressful lives -- enrolling kids in so many activities that just trying to keep up with the family schedule is nearly impossible. Kids are being fed fast food, in the car, on the way to soccer practice or dance lessons or what have you... or there's fried chicken or pizza on the table so everyone can "hurry up and eat" and get where they need to be. It's not that surprising, then, that kids develop poor eating habits and weight issues. The obesity numbers among children is frightening 1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
2 Sep 12
My sister and her husband dont have patience with the tantrums so that is the reason they just give him what he wanted and he decides what to eat making him unhealthy which is sad. The kid have an active lifestyle but all that playing outside and exercise are not enough to slim him down.
I heard that babies should start with very bland foods once we introduce foods to them because saltiness and sweetness is kinda addictive. I also think parents should not let babies have a favorite food on the early years, so they can explore different textures, whether its rough, smooth or crunchy. this kid as a baby is raised with gerber baby food.
@leeloo (1492)
• Portugal
30 Aug 12
I think it is a phase children go through, every child I know tends to not like vegetables at some point and only like junk food. The thing is junk food is specially made to taste good, to make people want to eat it, it has sugar and flavour enhancers, etc so it is difficult for vegetables to compete. The way many parents make their children eat vegetables, is the to hide them in food. Given time your nephew will probably grow to enjoy vegetables, after a while children who do like vegetables. The best is to find something he likes and add it to meals, then mix another vegetable in every once in a while and slowly allow his taste buds to get used to the taste of vegetables. There are different systems and ideas on how to get children to eat vegetables that is just one. Hope you find a solution. Good luck.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
31 Aug 12
Its not my sister who decided what will they eat in lunch or dinner, if the kid said he wanted fried chicken, he cry about it. the kid always decide on what to eat which wrong. I dont live with my sister so yeah i wont have any control on the kid's diet. she spoiled the boy to the core that the kid now controls them with his cries,screams and tantrums.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
31 Aug 12
As usual, parents are the first one to blame. for me, this is true, sometimes busy parents are not that much of lettign their kids eat veggies. Orientation of veggies to kids must be responsibility of the parents. In our case, my son was really introduced to veggies at very young age. Now, he prefers more of veggies than meats. This is because we introduced him veggies as his first solid foods.
1 person likes this
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
30 Aug 12
that is because nowadays youth are always oriented and shown the door towards junk and attractive,temporary delicious foods so called junk foods,they are not healthy ,but once the taste is enormous it sticks with them forever
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
31 Aug 12
Its the MSG, fast food and junkfoods were bursting with MSG and its taste indeed is very addictive.
@marguicha (215403)
• Chile
21 Sep 12
In my house, my grandchildren have a mixture of the old school and the new one. I make a new dish (veggies included) and will not accept a no for an answer. The deal is, if they try two spoons of the dish, the may have the alternative (none of them is junkfood as I don´t have that at home. But when they were small, they liked pasta so I made several sauces that included veggies
. Their favorite was pasta with pesto.
I am a firm believer that taste buds can be trained. But you have to train your children too, instead of accepting whatever they want because it´s easier to say yes. That´s not love as I see it.
. Their favorite was pasta with pesto.
I am a firm believer that taste buds can be trained. But you have to train your children too, instead of accepting whatever they want because it´s easier to say yes. That´s not love as I see it. @airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
30 Aug 12
Good day CaptAlbertWhisker,
With regard to your post, I really don't know what is happening to the kids of today's generation. Same thing with my nephew, wherein we sometimes told him that he was one of the best child actor that we know. Because he always acts like he was beaten up whenever he was reminded to eat more of vegetables. And since he is not eating properly, he is kind a sluggish. But, what to do, I am not the parent and I was reprimand to interfere with them as me and my brother has some misunderstanding.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
30 Aug 12
what you feel about your nephew, is the same what i feel with mine, I think my sister spoiled him and my mom spoiled him so he is double spoiled. I can also blame his dad, My brother in law is not a healthy eater. He loves fastfood and canned foods, I think maybe the boy idolizes his dad. He should Idolize his uncle instead.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
1 Sep 12
I think the habits of the parents are not to be blamed or expected to be passed on. The only sure thing you can pass to an offspring is your genes and certain body influences. Taste in food is not one of them.
I think these kids are just experimenting on their own. Granted, they might know that what they are eating are bad for them but they might just be doing that to make their parents mad. Or they are just trying to taste things and after tasting they might also get bored and move on with a healthier lifestyle. The parents just need to exert more influence when it comes to their food choices and dietary needs.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
2 Sep 12
tell that to my older sister and brother in law.. they didnt listen to me when i said the way they raise their son is wrong. He only wants to eat Jollibee burger steak (he doesnt eat the murshrooms) and Hotdogs.
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
30 Aug 12
Small kids can go against their parents because they force them to eat something. I did that. I have changed my opinion on some vegetables I used to hate.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
30 Aug 12
I hate Okra but I eat them,,,LOL and I hate Celery sticks but I eat a lot of them everyday due to their benefits.
@vidhyaprakash_2 (7116)
• India
30 Aug 12
Hi friend, most of the modern kids are not interested in taking food and veggies, they are addicted with fast food and junk items and interested in eating them, parents must take care about them and guide them to avoid junk items and fast food
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
30 Aug 12
My sister is a healthy eater, i think this is her husband's fault. that guy is basically not healthy at all. He drinks, he smokes and eats lots of junkfood, he is influencing his son.
