So I read the most interesting article about how we are one of the few cultures that feed our babies bland baby food. We cook down fruits and veggies until they are a nice mush with no other seasonings or flavor. It used to be that we thought babies under 1 year old should not be introduced to herbs and spices in case of developing allergies and that simply isn't the case. Complete fiction. Babies can not only have herbs like cilantro, parsley, dill, thyme, etc..but they can even have spices like curry and cinnamon! Many babies also love sour fruits (cherries, plums), stewed meats and whole grains like quinoa. They actually say that it sets up your child to be a more adventurous eater!
Obviously being a chef, what Lana and all my future children eat will always be a huge priority to me. I want them to eat well. Not only eat well, but have a diversified palate. No canned baby food for them! My mom made all of our baby food when we were growing up and I think if you are able to do it, you should. It is not only great for the child, but gives you better piece of mind of what you are putting into your child's tummy. And now knowing that I don't have to be afraid to feed her things like garlic, bok choy or even roasted cauliflower excites me even more. Chris jokes with me that when Lana is 5 or 6 she will come home from a friends house and tell us how Suzy's mom doesn't even put rendered pancetta in her brussel sprouts. HA! If I do my job right, I hope that happens!
When you think about all the countries that have been raising their babies on chiles, spices & herbs it makes me wonder why we never embraced that? Maybe because American food is more based on fat than spice & herbs? Think about it: American food- burgers, grilled cheese, mash potatoes, ranch dressing?? These are "American foods" and there is no real spice or signature flavor except fat. (don't get me wrong, I LOVE it all, but we are somewhat lacking in the "spice" department). Indian food- Garam Masala, flavorful chutneys, curry, coriander, turmeric, etc. Mediterranean food- Basil, Fennel, Oregano, Dill, Chervil...
It actually makes me cringe a little bit thinking about the child's diet that consists of buttered pasta noodles, chicken nuggets, and mac & cheese. But sadly those are the only foods a lot of toddlers in America will eat because foods with spice and flavor combinations are foreign to them and most kids are not naturally adventurous eaters. You know who I'm talking about...there are SOO many kids out there like that. Parents like to blame the kids for only eating certain foods, but they are KIDS! They only know the habits they are taught. These are the folks that say they have to hide what vegetables little Billy eats because he thinks they are "gross". Really?? Then you are either not cooking them correctly (most likely the case), or you allow your child to believe the stigma related to flavorful foods outside of his comfort zone, Billy's mom I blame you! Or just all around parent laziness. Not learning how to cook for your kids is pretty lame to me. Especially now a days with all the TV shows, websites and tools out there that make it super easy even for a complete novice! I probably could have been a kid like that if my dad & step dad didn't love to cook and introduce us to flavorful foods. Luckily I wasn't, but it is amazing how a child's diet can really effect the way he looks at food the rest of his life! With childhood obesity being such a struggle in our culture, it is more important than ever to expose your child to a variety of healthy foods and new taste experiences!
Well, all I know is I am happy to embrace this new discovery and test it out on Lana. Obviously you have to use common sense when feeding new foods to your baby. All the items should be soft enough so that baby doesn't choke. Pureed, chopped or ground depending on your babies eating skills. And you should only introduce new foods one item at a time (every 3-4 days) in case there is an allergy. That way you are able to pin point the food causing the problem. Other than that, I hope this can inspire any parent to give their child a chance at a young age to appreciate quality foods and expand their minds in the culinary world. After all, my philosophy is that if we need food to survive, shouldn't every bite be enjoyable? (hint: the answer is YES!)
No comments:
Post a Comment