Eating

There are few things that spark debate as much as eating. Maybe it's the primal instincts of the mama lioness that are triggered? I don't know, but I feel afraid of the mama police and experts with strong opinions, as I write about this topic.

PS: I am fully aware that there are allergies and many other special situations where my tips do not work.

So why are you writing about the topic, you might wonder? I thought about that myself; yes, it's about making life easier for parents and better for children. Eternal food dramas definitely make life more difficult. With the exception of sleep, I don't know of anything more important than food in a (well-functioning?) family.

So, despite my fears, I dare to offer my best tips and tricks when it comes to the topic of food and children.

I obviously feel that I have something to contribute. I can actually boast that I have four out of four children who eat what they are given; mostly both healthy and varied. The eldest probably eats a little too much sugar and cheese, but the youngest of five certainly eats olives, feta cheese and avocado with great enthusiasm and enjoyment. The 19-year-old eats like what he is working on becoming; a football pro.

Here are my best tips:

BABY, Top 5

1. Start all different types of food as soon as they are allowed to taste anything other than (breast) milk. Some places say 4 months, others say 6 months.

2. I see that most people, at least in Norway, start with porridge and maybe fruit. That's one of the last things I would start with. I've almost never met babies who don't like porridge and sweet fruits. It comes naturally. Instead, start with "everything else."

I recommend tasting/eating delicious food with everything you make for dinner or other meals. Let them taste all dishes (without salt, strong spices, honey, spinach and nuts?). Otherwise; go for it!

3. Give them "weird and healthy" food in the morning. All of mine have been hungriest in the morning. Then I have used the opportunity to practice the taste of, for example, fish, beans and vegetables. The two youngest ate fish for breakfast every morning for a long time. They have gotten used to most types of fish, and for many years they were fans of mackerel in tomato (simple).

4. Otherwise, we had tons of dishes mashed in ice cube trays in the freezer. Every time I made dinner, I would throw some into a container for the hand blender (before seasoning and salting). Very easy, with just seconds in the microwave.

5. I usually saved porridge for supper. All my kids loved porridge, and ate their fill, which I think gave us a little longer sleep at night.

TODDLERS, Top 10

1. Make sure the children have time to get really hungry between meals.

2. Be a role model and speak positively about all food. Show that you enjoy the food.

3. Bring the kids along for the cooking.

4. Let them help decide the type of vegetable or fish (not whether)

5. Do not prepare other food for the children.

6. Don't put too much on their plate. Let them have a little of unfamiliar foods.

7. Don't brag about your children being "good eaters." It's natural and not clever. Take it for granted.

8. Don't give attention if the child doesn't want to eat. Instead, say, okay, you may not be that hungry. Just so you understand, you won't get anything else, neither snacks, dessert or anything else later. But, if you can't eat now, you can try again for dinner.

Here's my tip, which I think many people will respond to; no, if they don't eat the food for dinner either, they still won't get anything else. Two of my four have actually refused to eat for dinner as well, and I left him and myself with a terrible feeling both times. But, both ate it with great enthusiasm for breakfast.

Bonus 1: this only happened once; after that there have been very few discussions about food and we have had many happy times for several years.

Bonus 2: all the kids can go around the world and enjoy food, rather than insulting those they visit by sitting and poking at it.

9. Teach your children that they don't have to like everything all the time. Sometimes we're not used to it yet. Some say you have to taste a dozen or more times before you get used to a new, unfamiliar taste.

10. Try to make meals enjoyable, without difficult conversation topics and iPad/phone. Parents can practice active listening and children can practice waiting their turn in conversations.

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