Figuring out parenting as we journey along...
A Carb-Lover's Veggie Delight
After stuffing ourselves with Christmas cookies one winter, when my children were still preschoolers, we soon suffered the consequences. One daughter developed painful constipation, causing her to avoid the bathroom, which in turn, further aggravated her stopped-up state. Meanwhile, my other daughter did not mind making trips to the toilet, but clogged the pipes with every visit. Clearly, it was high time to add some fiber to the children’s diets. Unfortunately, having caved in to requests for mac & cheese for years, we found ourselves hard-pressed to incorporate something green or wholesome into their meals.
A friend intervened, suggesting the following approach:
- At dinnertime, serve the children just a spoonful of each type of food the table offers: a few bite-sized pieces of chicken, a half a piece of bread, and two or three green beans, for example.
- After your carb-loving children gobble down the bread and ask for more, politely respond, “Yes, after you finish your chicken and beans.”
- Stick to your words, refusing to serve more of anything until the plate is empty.
- Once the plate is clear, serve additional miniature helpings from all food groups, repeating the sequence. Never, ever entertain requests for pb&j substitutions.
Although my friend warned I might meet resistance at first, she encouraged me with stories of her success. By simply standing firm for a few days, she had prevailed; her children soon began eating healthy amounts of vegetables and protein before filling up on carbohydrates. She also consoled me by pointing out that even if the plan backfired, my children would not starve, having eaten a few bites of bread each evening.
Still not convinced her methods would work with my family, I launched the new policy, but not before summoning all the resolve I possess. Surprisingly, although protests abounded at first, I did not succumb to the complaints of injustice, and my daughters quickly grew accustomed to the procedure, eagerly downing their hard-to-swallow food groups in anticipation of the carbs waiting on the sidelines. They even seemed to enjoy this new, structured take on mealtimes, drawing comfort, if not from the food, from the clear set rules that let them know what to expect.
I must add, however, that we made life easy that first week by avoiding veggies with nasty reputations. Neither fetid Brussels sprouts nor woody asparagus spears graced our table those first few nights. We offered carrot sticks, avocado chunks, and cucumber slices instead, keeping portions small. Other kid-friendly produce we had on hand included olives, cherry tomatoes, raw red pepper slivers, and broccoli florets.
We also learned, after a distressing incident, never to force food upon the children. One evening, after discovering a worm inside an organic green bean, my daughter pushed her plate away, shuddering at the thought of eating the rest of her helping. Agreeing that the ordeal warranted a ticket to a bean-free life, we excused her from vegetables for the day, and now offer her an alternative fruit or vegetable whenever our dinner menu includes the magical fruit.
These days, my once toilet-troubled carboholics consume their greens faithfully at every meal, even reminding me if I forget to serve them. No, we do not manage the 5-a-day the pediatrician recommends, or get anywhere near the 9-a-day that dieticians tout. However, in my opinion, our 3-a-day is a good start. Judging from our now pleasant bathroom experiences, I think the plumbing would agree.
Copyright © 2009 - 2011 by Jennifer Kirsch. All Rights Reserved.
