I’ve been asking moms what their child’s favorite foods are because I am really anxious to start Ashton, my 6-month old with solid food. I asked one of my mommy friends, Jenny what she fed her son Jed for the first time. Apparently, brown rice is a good choice because it is bland but healthy.
Most babies I know like my nice Anya and some of my nephews in the province were fed with sweet tasting food like bananas and pureed fruits for their first bite. Now their favorite foods are sweets like ice cream, candies, sweet breads, etc.
When Anya was around 1-2 years old, her favorite food is honey stars. This is sweet cereals she eats every morning, afternoon, and during snack time. I remember we hoard boxes of this in the grocery. Not until now did I realize that having favorite foods is a sign of picky eating.
This is when kids do not like to eat unless it is the food they prefer. Picky eating starts from as early as 4 months! Although, moms should realize that picky eating is not a disease and must not cause you with too much anxiety. It is a regular phase for babies and kids.
What’s bothersome though is how to complete the daily recommended energy and nutrient intake if our kids only eat their favorite food. Also, I am more concerned of tantrums associated to feeding! Que horror. Most kids like sweets which make them hyper active, unlike with healthy food that most of them do not like – healthy food like vegetables and complex carbs provide them with fiber and just the right amount of energy.
There are safety nets when moms don’t win the “food fight” like milk supplements such as Aqiva for children 4 years of age and above. Although it is best to educate ourselves firsthand on how to nourish our children the right way, early on and not when they’ve already developed bad eating habits.
If I can have one wish, it would be for Ashton not to have a “favorite food” when he is small. I want him to be open to new tastes, textures, and flavors. This would also mean more happy memories when dining out as a family – most parents I know stick to this fast food joint because that’s where their kids want to eat all the time. My husband and I agreed to bring Ashton to different diners and train him to eat and enjoy a variety of dishes 🙂
How about you? What is your child’s favorite food?
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