H wrote:

> We have her for a few weeks every summer. What strategies can we try
> to at least get her to try some good foods? Recipes, preparation
> ideas, etc..?


For vegetables, try corn on the cob, baked sweet potatoes, carrot
sticks, celery sticks, cole slaw in a little mayonnaise. Don't ask me
why, but kids are more likely to go for those than broccoli, mushrooms,
zucchini or peppers. Also, kids are more likely to try broccoli and
zucchini raw than cooked. If she'll eat plain raw iceberg lettuce, see
if she'll eat romaine. Avoid mixed foods. Plain and raw is more likely
to be appealing than something with a mushroom in it that needs to
picked around or something with diced up red pepper or parsley in it.
Adults see it and think it looks pretty. Kids just see something
floating in their food.


You might try substituting whole grain breads, especially whole grain
bagels, for white bread. Also substitute brown rice for white.


Plain also works with meats. Try plain broiled lamb chops, pork chops,
steaks, chicken pieces. I know I love stews and sauces, but when
children are being picky (and I was a picky kid), they're less
suspicious of one food than something with a variety of ingredients.


For some reason, kids usually don't mind tomato sauce. There are a
whole lot of foods you can smother in tomato sauce. Offer it to her on
the side and give her the option of dipping in the sauce. You can take
advantage of her penchant for mayonnaise the same way. Give her a
crudite tray with carrots, etc. on it with a little mayonnaise in a shot
glass on the side. Show her how she can use the mayonnaise as a dip.


I'd stop periodically giving in to her cravings. She's only learning to
hold out longer. If she doesn't eat long enough, she eventually gets
what she wants. Imagine if she were whining that she wanted wanted a
particular expensive toy, and the first time you gave in after she
nagged for it once; the second time you gave in after she nagged 3
times. Later she had to nag 10 times, but you always eventually gave
in. All you'd be teaching her would be to become an obnoxious, whining,
nagging kid. That's not doing her any favors.


Thus with food. Starting today, stop giving in with the chicken
nuggets. Stop caring about what she eats at all. Just put nourishing
food on the table, maybe the corn on the cob or the sweet potatoes
mentioned above. Pay her no attention when she complains and whines for
something else. Answer her whines with "this is what we're having for
dinner." Repeat as necessary.


--Lia

H wrote:

> The problem is that this girl is literally repulsed by even the most
> innocuous foods-- any amount of spice or even any new flavor will
> cause her to reject the food immediately and refuse loudly and
> stubbornly to eat the food again. Bland foods like steamed carrots are
> eaten in slow and counted nibbles. Ethnic foods are out of the
> question.

Due to certain opinions about spicy food leading to a dull palate and a
craving for whiskey, cards, and horse betting, my wonderful mother
cooked us very "bland" food that was really delicious. NO spice, black
pepper on down, was in the house, but cinnamon and vanilla.
Some of her secrets we fresh veggies, steamed until done (children
don't like al dente beans) but not OVER-done.
Delicious brown rice. I didn't taste white until I hit high school.
Oven fries, not dripping in oil.
Spagetti with lots of small dice veggies in it.
Tossed salads with lots of walnuts, raisins, and apple in it, with a
dressing of bland oil and lemon juice.
New England Boiled Dinner made with pot roast rather than the salty
corned beef (we licked the plates clean).
Creamed tuna over whole wheat toast (ditto).
From scratch mashed potatoes.
Platters of really good home grown tomatoes with a shaving of onion at
the side, and dressing of a dribble of olive oil and a dribble of lemon
juice.
Pork chops baked in a bed of sour kraut, served with augratin potatoes
and hot apple sauce.
Leg of lamb.
Roast beef with onions, potatoes, and whole carrots baked in the covered
pan, with the onions mashed up and left in the pan and gravy made of the
liquid.
Desserts such as custard or lemon souffle.

As testament, my siblings much more urban children all came home to
visit grandma eager for "that really good food", in a house otherwise
periously full of antiques in a place with no other kids to play with.
OTOH, the summer I had some slightly younger kids who had no mommy, and
who'd grown up on spagettio's, I just gave them what they wanted (this
meant going to the store and having them pick out the cans of what
they'd eat). They had so many other issues to cope with, instituting a
change in eating seemed cruel.
blacksalt
whose two year old is eating mesclun.

H wrote:

> The problem is that this girl is literally repulsed by even the most
> innocuous foods-- any amount of spice or even any new flavor will
> cause her to reject the food immediately and refuse loudly and
> stubbornly to eat the food again. Bland foods like steamed carrots are
> eaten in slow and counted nibbles. Ethnic foods are out of the
> question.

Due to certain opinions about spicy food leading to a dull palate and a
craving for whiskey, cards, and horse betting, my wonderful mother
cooked us very "bland" food that was really delicious. NO spice, black
pepper on down, was in the house, but cinnamon and vanilla.
Some of her secrets we fresh veggies, steamed until done (children
don't like al dente beans) but not OVER-done.
Delicious brown rice. I didn't taste white until I hit high school.
Oven fries, not dripping in oil.
Spagetti with lots of small dice veggies in it.
Tossed salads with lots of walnuts, raisins, and apple in it, with a
dressing of bland oil and lemon juice.
New England Boiled Dinner made with pot roast rather than the salty
corned beef (we licked the plates clean).
Creamed tuna over whole wheat toast (ditto).
From scratch mashed potatoes.
Platters of really good home grown tomatoes with a shaving of onion at
the side, and dressing of a dribble of olive oil and a dribble of lemon
juice.
Pork chops baked in a bed of sour kraut, served with augratin potatoes
and hot apple sauce.
Leg of lamb.
Roast beef with onions, potatoes, and whole carrots baked in the covered
pan, with the onions mashed up and left in the pan and gravy made of the
liquid.
Desserts such as custard or lemon souffle.

As testament, my siblings much more urban children all came home to
visit grandma eager for "that really good food", in a house otherwise
periously full of antiques in a place with no other kids to play with.
OTOH, the summer I had some slightly younger kids who had no mommy, and
who'd grown up on spagettio's, I just gave them what they wanted (this
meant going to the store and having them pick out the cans of what
they'd eat). They had so many other issues to cope with, instituting a
change in eating seemed cruel.
blacksalt
whose two year old is eating mesclun.

H wrote:

> The problem is that this girl is literally repulsed by even the most
> innocuous foods-- any amount of spice or even any new flavor will
> cause her to reject the food immediately and refuse loudly and
> stubbornly to eat the food again. Bland foods like steamed carrots are
> eaten in slow and counted nibbles. Ethnic foods are out of the
> question.

Due to certain opinions about spicy food leading to a dull palate and a
craving for whiskey, cards, and horse betting, my wonderful mother
cooked us very "bland" food that was really delicious. NO spice, black
pepper on down, was in the house, but cinnamon and vanilla.
Some of her secrets we fresh veggies, steamed until done (children
don't like al dente beans) but not OVER-done.
Delicious brown rice. I didn't taste white until I hit high school.
Oven fries, not dripping in oil.
Spagetti with lots of small dice veggies in it.
Tossed salads with lots of walnuts, raisins, and apple in it, with a
dressing of bland oil and lemon juice.
New England Boiled Dinner made with pot roast rather than the salty
corned beef (we licked the plates clean).
Creamed tuna over whole wheat toast (ditto).
From scratch mashed potatoes.
Platters of really good home grown tomatoes with a shaving of onion at
the side, and dressing of a dribble of olive oil and a dribble of lemon
juice.
Pork chops baked in a bed of sour kraut, served with augratin potatoes
and hot apple sauce.
Leg of lamb.
Roast beef with onions, potatoes, and whole carrots baked in the covered
pan, with the onions mashed up and left in the pan and gravy made of the
liquid.
Desserts such as custard or lemon souffle.

As testament, my siblings much more urban children all came home to
visit grandma eager for "that really good food", in a house otherwise
periously full of antiques in a place with no other kids to play with.
OTOH, the summer I had some slightly younger kids who had no mommy, and
who'd grown up on spagettio's, I just gave them what they wanted (this
meant going to the store and having them pick out the cans of what
they'd eat). They had so many other issues to cope with, instituting a
change in eating seemed cruel.
blacksalt
whose two year old is eating mesclun.

Mon, Aug 2, 2004, 12:46pm (EDT-3): (H)
Hi,
My 9 year-old niece is visiting us for the summer. She has always been
an active and skinny kid, but this year I noticed that she gained a lot
of weight-- not obese, but definately a big belly for her age.
Anyways, we are into cooking and like to make a large variety of dishes,
as well as go out to eat at interesting restaurants.
The problem is that this girl is literally repulsed by even the most
innocuous foods-- any amount of spice or even any new flavor will cause
her to reject the food immediately and refuse loudly and stubbornly to
eat the food again. Bland foods like steamed carrots are eaten in slow
and counted nibbles. Ethnic foods are out of the question.
On the other hand, she eats adult-size portions of junk food, mcdonalds,
and heaps of mayonaise.
That side of the family has a lot of obesity and now I am afraid that I
am going to lose the active little girl I once knew as she enters her
pre-teen years and becomes obese and unhealthy. We try hard to avoid
making every meal a confrontation. In order to keep from alienating here
completely, we do periodically give in to her cravings for what she
calls "regular food" (chicken nuggets, one salad leaf submerged in ranch
dressing, etc).
We have her for a few weeks every summer. What strategies can we try to
at least get her to try some good foods? Recipes, perparation ideas,
etc..?
I have been thinking about making her go "cold turkey" while she visits
us by preparing only healthy foods whether she approves or not.
Eventually, I am thinking that hunger will get the best of her and she
will simply start eating the healthy foods and perhaps develop a taste
for them.--------------------------------------------------------
response: I agree with you on this.
Stick to your guns, only serve healthy foods NO junk snacks in house NO
eating out at fast food joints. NO molly cuddling either.
Don't let this kid - niece or not- rule your home on foods while she
visits.
Let her know that all people don't eat like pigs, this is your home and
your summer too.
Don't let a nine year old spoil it.

Mon, Aug 2, 2004, 12:46pm (EDT-3): (H)
Hi,
My 9 year-old niece is visiting us for the summer. She has always been
an active and skinny kid, but this year I noticed that she gained a lot
of weight-- not obese, but definately a big belly for her age.
Anyways, we are into cooking and like to make a large variety of dishes,
as well as go out to eat at interesting restaurants.
The problem is that this girl is literally repulsed by even the most
innocuous foods-- any amount of spice or even any new flavor will cause
her to reject the food immediately and refuse loudly and stubbornly to
eat the food again. Bland foods like steamed carrots are eaten in slow
and counted nibbles. Ethnic foods are out of the question.
On the other hand, she eats adult-size portions of junk food, mcdonalds,
and heaps of mayonaise.
That side of the family has a lot of obesity and now I am afraid that I
am going to lose the active little girl I once knew as she enters her
pre-teen years and becomes obese and unhealthy. We try hard to avoid
making every meal a confrontation. In order to keep from alienating here
completely, we do periodically give in to her cravings for what she
calls "regular food" (chicken nuggets, one salad leaf submerged in ranch
dressing, etc).
We have her for a few weeks every summer. What strategies can we try to
at least get her to try some good foods? Recipes, perparation ideas,
etc..?
I have been thinking about making her go "cold turkey" while she visits
us by preparing only healthy foods whether she approves or not.
Eventually, I am thinking that hunger will get the best of her and she
will simply start eating the healthy foods and perhaps develop a taste
for them.--------------------------------------------------------
response: I agree with you on this.
Stick to your guns, only serve healthy foods NO junk snacks in house NO
eating out at fast food joints. NO molly cuddling either.
Don't let this kid - niece or not- rule your home on foods while she
visits.
Let her know that all people don't eat like pigs, this is your home and
your summer too.
Don't let a nine year old spoil it.

This has been said before, but the reason Skippy, Kraft etc. peanut butters
have no oil floating on top is because they are hydrogenated oils. The oil is
in there, you just don't see it floating on top. Many of us consider this less
than healthy.
:Laura Scudder and other peanut butters have the oil floating on top, and
must be mixed in, but they are much more healthy.
Nancree
===============
>"Gabby" > wrote
><snip>
> I reminded her that our
>> childhood peanut butter had 1/2" of oil on top and no sugar added,
>something
>> not seen with Kraft or Skippy.
>
>Then I recommend Adam's Peanut Butter! Good stuff. Ingredients: peanuts & 1%
>or less salt. I love a peanut butter and honey sandwich once in a while. I
>get the honey from the local market. Mmm.
>
>--
>-Andrea
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

"Nancree" > wrote in message
...
> This has been said before, but the reason Skippy, Kraft etc. peanut
butters
> have no oil floating on top is because they are hydrogenated oils. The oil
is
> in there, you just don't see it floating on top. Many of us consider this
less
> than healthy.
> :Laura Scudder and other peanut butters have the oil floating on top,
and
> must be mixed in, but they are much more healthy.
> Nancree

I know the difference. I was just trying to point out to Mom that the
peanut butter we ate as kids was natural p.b., not loaded with sugar and
extra fats, so adding a bit of honey to it wasn't bad, but adding honey to
Kraft smooth was overkill.

Gabby

"Nancree" > wrote in message
...
> This has been said before, but the reason Skippy, Kraft etc. peanut
butters
> have no oil floating on top is because they are hydrogenated oils. The oil
is
> in there, you just don't see it floating on top. Many of us consider this
less
> than healthy.
> :Laura Scudder and other peanut butters have the oil floating on top,
and
> must be mixed in, but they are much more healthy.
> Nancree

I know the difference. I was just trying to point out to Mom that the
peanut butter we ate as kids was natural p.b., not loaded with sugar and
extra fats, so adding a bit of honey to it wasn't bad, but adding honey to
Kraft smooth was overkill.

Gabby

Date: Mon, Aug 2, 2004, 12:46pm (H) Wrote:
Hi,
My 9 year-old niece is visiting us for the summer. She has always been
an active and skinny kid, but this year I noticed that she gained a lot
of weight-- not obese, but definately a big belly for her age.
Anyways, we are into cooking and like to make a large variety of dishes,
as well as go out to eat at interesting restaurants.
The problem is that this girl is literally repulsed by even the most
innocuous foods-- any amount of spice or even any new flavor will cause
her to reject the food immediately and refuse loudly and stubbornly to
eat the food again. Bland foods like steamed carrots are eaten in slow
and counted nibbles. Ethnic foods are out of the question.
On the other hand, she eats adult-size portions of junk food, mcdonalds,
and heaps of mayonaise.
That side of the family has a lot of obesity and now I am afraid that I
am going to lose the active little girl I once knew as she enters her
pre-teen years and becomes obese and unhealthy. We try hard to avoid
making every meal a confrontation. In order to keep from alienating here
completely, we do periodically give in to her cravings for what she
calls "regular food" (chicken nuggets, one salad leaf submerged in ranch
dressing, etc).
We have her for a few weeks every summer. What strategies can we try to
at least get her to try some good foods? Recipes, perparation ideas,
etc..?
I have been thinking about making her go "cold turkey" while she visits
us by preparing only healthy foods whether she approves or not.
Eventually, I am thinking that hunger will get the best of her and she
will simply start eating the healthy foods and perhaps develop a taste
for them. --------------------------------------------------------------
response:I did think of an ideal that just might work also.
Am on the diabetic food program which is not a dull unappetizing diet
as most people think especially with those low carb products on market
-dreamfields pasta is great tasting-
If you could manage to do a quick visit to your local hospital and learn
the basics or pick up a booklet with recipes for diabetic children you
could serve 5 heathy mini meals a day to her.
Not only are these recipes heathy but appeal to the children as well.
She will lose weight and might be surprized that better food need not
taste that bad.
You could try the recipe for fixing chicken nuggets and Kraft makes a no
fat mayo that tastes better than regular to me but needs to be eaten in
moderation as it does still have carbs.

"Gabby" > wrote

> I was just trying to point out to Mom that the
> peanut butter we ate as kids was natural p.b., not loaded with sugar and
> extra fats, so adding a bit of honey to it wasn't bad, but adding honey to
> Kraft smooth was overkill.


And I was just noting an old fashioned peanut butter without the
hydrogenated fat and sugar. Much tastier than Skippy, easy to find and cheap
too! :-D

--
-Andrea

On 2 Aug 2004 12:46:31 -0700, (H) wrote:

> I have been thinking about making her go "cold turkey" while she
> visits us by preparing only healthy foods whether she approves or not.
> Eventually, I am thinking that hunger will get the best of her and she
> will simply start eating the healthy foods and perhaps develop a taste
> for them.

Hunger is a powerful tool.

sf
Practice safe eating - always use condiments

On 2 Aug 2004 12:46:31 -0700, (H) wrote:

> I have been thinking about making her go "cold turkey" while she
> visits us by preparing only healthy foods whether she approves or not.
> Eventually, I am thinking that hunger will get the best of her and she
> will simply start eating the healthy foods and perhaps develop a taste
> for them.

Hunger is a powerful tool.

sf
Practice safe eating - always use condiments

On 2 Aug 2004 12:46:31 -0700, (H) wrote:

> I have been thinking about making her go "cold turkey" while she
> visits us by preparing only healthy foods whether she approves or not.
> Eventually, I am thinking that hunger will get the best of her and she
> will simply start eating the healthy foods and perhaps develop a taste
> for them.

Hunger is a powerful tool.

sf
Practice safe eating - always use condiments

On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 23:05:11 +0000, Julia Altshuler wrote:

> Kamus of Kadizhar wrote:
>
>> No kid will starve his/herself by choice.
>
>
> I agree with everything else in your post but wanted to pull this out of
> context and jump on it. Children as young as 9 can have anorexia.
> That's obviously not the case with the original poster's niece. I just
> wanted to clear up this inaccuracy.
>
> --Lia

I could get pedantic and argue that 'anorexia' is not a choice... But
you're absolutely right; eating disorders can start early. From my
understanding, many of the causes are fixations on / obsessions with food;
that reinforces my own view that food should not be a stress factor. Put
it on the table; let them eat it if they want. Don't make an issue of it.

Just make sure that all the choices they have are good.

--Kamus

On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 23:05:11 +0000, Julia Altshuler wrote:

> Kamus of Kadizhar wrote:
>
>> No kid will starve his/herself by choice.
>
>
> I agree with everything else in your post but wanted to pull this out of
> context and jump on it. Children as young as 9 can have anorexia.
> That's obviously not the case with the original poster's niece. I just
> wanted to clear up this inaccuracy.
>
> --Lia

I could get pedantic and argue that 'anorexia' is not a choice... But
you're absolutely right; eating disorders can start early. From my
understanding, many of the causes are fixations on / obsessions with food;
that reinforces my own view that food should not be a stress factor. Put
it on the table; let them eat it if they want. Don't make an issue of it.

Just make sure that all the choices they have are good.

--Kamus

On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 23:07:44 +0000, Curly Sue wrote:

> I have a different philosophy for guests. I ask what they want for
> breakfast, eg. my mother and sister have English muffins, which I
> never do. So I buy them when they visit. My mother drinks coffee,
> which I don't, so I buy instant coffee for her and make sure I have
> sugar substitute. My sister takes fat-free half-and-half, I buy that
> for her. I alter my menus and routines for adults so they will have
> an enjoyable visit. I see no reason to treat someone else's children
> differently than my other guests just because they're shorter ;> I'm
> not rearing them, I'm hosting them.

I think there is a difference between 'guests' and 'brats'. If a 'guest'
in my house loudly protested about my food, they'd quit being a guest in
short order.

Now if said guest goes out and buys cereal/coffee/whatever because I don't
have what they like, OK. Next time I'll have it. But if the guest
becomes a brat about it, no way.

Also, there's a length of stay involved.... If you're staying with me for
a day or two, that's one thing. I can accommodate your tastes. But
several weeks of preparing separate meals ain't gonna cut it.

So yes, you can be a gracious host as long as you have appreciative
guests. Kids who come to my house either eat what we set out or go away.
I'm not buying special foods for kids. They're going to eat what my kids
eat, or they can go home.

--Kamus

On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 23:07:44 +0000, Curly Sue wrote:

> I have a different philosophy for guests. I ask what they want for
> breakfast, eg. my mother and sister have English muffins, which I
> never do. So I buy them when they visit. My mother drinks coffee,
> which I don't, so I buy instant coffee for her and make sure I have
> sugar substitute. My sister takes fat-free half-and-half, I buy that
> for her. I alter my menus and routines for adults so they will have
> an enjoyable visit. I see no reason to treat someone else's children
> differently than my other guests just because they're shorter ;> I'm
> not rearing them, I'm hosting them.

I think there is a difference between 'guests' and 'brats'. If a 'guest'
in my house loudly protested about my food, they'd quit being a guest in
short order.

Now if said guest goes out and buys cereal/coffee/whatever because I don't
have what they like, OK. Next time I'll have it. But if the guest
becomes a brat about it, no way.

Also, there's a length of stay involved.... If you're staying with me for
a day or two, that's one thing. I can accommodate your tastes. But
several weeks of preparing separate meals ain't gonna cut it.

So yes, you can be a gracious host as long as you have appreciative
guests. Kids who come to my house either eat what we set out or go away.
I'm not buying special foods for kids. They're going to eat what my kids
eat, or they can go home.

--Kamus

On Tue, 03 Aug 2004 07:42:14 -0400, Kamus of Kadizhar
> wrote:

>On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 23:07:44 +0000, Curly Sue wrote:
>
>> I have a different philosophy for guests. I ask what they want for
>> breakfast, eg. my mother and sister have English muffins, which I
>> never do. So I buy them when they visit. My mother drinks coffee,
>> which I don't, so I buy instant coffee for her and make sure I have
>> sugar substitute. My sister takes fat-free half-and-half, I buy that
>> for her. I alter my menus and routines for adults so they will have
>> an enjoyable visit. I see no reason to treat someone else's children
>> differently than my other guests just because they're shorter ;> I'm
>> not rearing them, I'm hosting them.
>
>I think there is a difference between 'guests' and 'brats'. If a 'guest'
>in my house loudly protested about my food, they'd quit being a guest in
>short order.
>
>Now if said guest goes out and buys cereal/coffee/whatever because I don't
>have what they like, OK. Next time I'll have it. But if the guest
>becomes a brat about it, no way.
>
>Also, there's a length of stay involved.... If you're staying with me for
>a day or two, that's one thing. I can accommodate your tastes. But
>several weeks of preparing separate meals ain't gonna cut it.
>
>So yes, you can be a gracious host as long as you have appreciative
>guests. Kids who come to my house either eat what we set out or go away.
>I'm not buying special foods for kids. They're going to eat what my kids
>eat, or they can go home.
>

I think the difference here is that you've been burned by some
unpleasant houseguests. You seem primed to deal with such a situation
and perhaps I'd feel the same if I'd had the same experiences. I've
been fortunate in that my nieces and nephews are lovely kids whose
only crime is that they are picky eaters. I don't want them to go
home. It's easy for me to work around their issues and prepare a
meal that we all can eat- no separate meals involved.

You're right that the length of time is a factor; things will be
different with my niece who'll be living here for 4 years. I suspect
we'll both have some compromising to do, because it's not a vacation
visit anymore.

Sue(tm)
Lead me not into temptation... I can find it myself!

On Tue, 03 Aug 2004 07:42:14 -0400, Kamus of Kadizhar
> wrote:

>On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 23:07:44 +0000, Curly Sue wrote:
>
>> I have a different philosophy for guests. I ask what they want for
>> breakfast, eg. my mother and sister have English muffins, which I
>> never do. So I buy them when they visit. My mother drinks coffee,
>> which I don't, so I buy instant coffee for her and make sure I have
>> sugar substitute. My sister takes fat-free half-and-half, I buy that
>> for her. I alter my menus and routines for adults so they will have
>> an enjoyable visit. I see no reason to treat someone else's children
>> differently than my other guests just because they're shorter ;> I'm
>> not rearing them, I'm hosting them.
>
>I think there is a difference between 'guests' and 'brats'. If a 'guest'
>in my house loudly protested about my food, they'd quit being a guest in
>short order.
>
>Now if said guest goes out and buys cereal/coffee/whatever because I don't
>have what they like, OK. Next time I'll have it. But if the guest
>becomes a brat about it, no way.
>
>Also, there's a length of stay involved.... If you're staying with me for
>a day or two, that's one thing. I can accommodate your tastes. But
>several weeks of preparing separate meals ain't gonna cut it.
>
>So yes, you can be a gracious host as long as you have appreciative
>guests. Kids who come to my house either eat what we set out or go away.
>I'm not buying special foods for kids. They're going to eat what my kids
>eat, or they can go home.
>

I think the difference here is that you've been burned by some
unpleasant houseguests. You seem primed to deal with such a situation
and perhaps I'd feel the same if I'd had the same experiences. I've
been fortunate in that my nieces and nephews are lovely kids whose
only crime is that they are picky eaters. I don't want them to go
home. It's easy for me to work around their issues and prepare a
meal that we all can eat- no separate meals involved.

You're right that the length of time is a factor; things will be
different with my niece who'll be living here for 4 years. I suspect
we'll both have some compromising to do, because it's not a vacation
visit anymore.

Sue(tm)
Lead me not into temptation... I can find it myself!

Thanks Lia (and all of you) this helps me feel better about
approaching this problem.

I will definately try the points outlined below.

As for what we (adults) eat: we don't think twice about dropping good
money on an organic farm share every summer. As a result, we have lots
of local Maryland veggies such as zucchini, squash, string beans and
Swiss chard. Our side of the family is big on being "foodies", no
meat, but we eat fish or poultry once a week or less.

It is hard for us not to give into her cravings because she is so
insistant and crabby (we don't have kids are not used to this). Also,
we don't see her very often and we adore her and want to see her
happy. I have no idea what to do with dinner time scenes.

I realize that a few weeks in the summer won't necessarily change the
kid's eating habits because when she goes home it will be back to 10
months of the soda machine and fries at school and Mcdonald's when her
family doesn't feel like cooking mac and cheese. She is already
fantasizng about making a trip to Mcdonald's when she goes home.

I guess, what I am hoping for is for her to cross some threshold of
acceptance for new foods so that when she grows up and realizes that
she has not been eating healthy food, she will be more able to make a
transition.

Thanks again!
-H.





> H wrote:
>
> > I have been thinking about making her go "cold turkey" while she
> > visits us by preparing only healthy foods whether she approves or not.
> > Eventually, I am thinking that hunger will get the best of her and she
> > will simply start eating the healthy foods and perhaps develop a taste
> > for them.
>
>
> I think this is the answer. Make sure you don't do it as a punishment.
> Merely start cooking good nourishing meals and not buying anything
> else. Here's an old post that I wrote the last time the subject came up:
>
>
>[...]
>
> Spend no family grocery money on junk. None.
> [...]
>
>
> Take the emotion out of eating.
> [...]
>
>
> Don't turn being picky into your children's identifying characteristic.
> Pay it as little attention as possible.
> [...]
>
>
> As for actual cooking (that was your original question way back when), I
> recommend NOT hiding the vegetables but make them as plain as possible.
> [...]
>
> Involve the kids in learning to cook.
> [...]
>
>
> And now, a question: What are the vegetables that you and your spouse
> love to eat and eat all the time that your children won't touch? Would
> you list them? How do you prepare them? I used to work with in health
> food. People were always asking me about how to get the kids to eat
> vegetables, and I'd always ask what the adults like to eat. Your answer
> to that question will help me learn what to suggest.
>
>
> --Lia

Thanks Lia (and all of you) this helps me feel better about
approaching this problem.

I will definately try the points outlined below.

As for what we (adults) eat: we don't think twice about dropping good
money on an organic farm share every summer. As a result, we have lots
of local Maryland veggies such as zucchini, squash, string beans and
Swiss chard. Our side of the family is big on being "foodies", no
meat, but we eat fish or poultry once a week or less.

It is hard for us not to give into her cravings because she is so
insistant and crabby (we don't have kids are not used to this). Also,
we don't see her very often and we adore her and want to see her
happy. I have no idea what to do with dinner time scenes.

I realize that a few weeks in the summer won't necessarily change the
kid's eating habits because when she goes home it will be back to 10
months of the soda machine and fries at school and Mcdonald's when her
family doesn't feel like cooking mac and cheese. She is already
fantasizng about making a trip to Mcdonald's when she goes home.

I guess, what I am hoping for is for her to cross some threshold of
acceptance for new foods so that when she grows up and realizes that
she has not been eating healthy food, she will be more able to make a
transition.

Thanks again!
-H.





> H wrote:
>
> > I have been thinking about making her go "cold turkey" while she
> > visits us by preparing only healthy foods whether she approves or not.
> > Eventually, I am thinking that hunger will get the best of her and she
> > will simply start eating the healthy foods and perhaps develop a taste
> > for them.
>
>
> I think this is the answer. Make sure you don't do it as a punishment.
> Merely start cooking good nourishing meals and not buying anything
> else. Here's an old post that I wrote the last time the subject came up:
>
>
>[...]
>
> Spend no family grocery money on junk. None.
> [...]
>
>
> Take the emotion out of eating.
> [...]
>
>
> Don't turn being picky into your children's identifying characteristic.
> Pay it as little attention as possible.
> [...]
>
>
> As for actual cooking (that was your original question way back when), I
> recommend NOT hiding the vegetables but make them as plain as possible.
> [...]
>
> Involve the kids in learning to cook.
> [...]
>
>
> And now, a question: What are the vegetables that you and your spouse
> love to eat and eat all the time that your children won't touch? Would
> you list them? How do you prepare them? I used to work with in health
> food. People were always asking me about how to get the kids to eat
> vegetables, and I'd always ask what the adults like to eat. Your answer
> to that question will help me learn what to suggest.
>
>
> --Lia

H wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> My 9 year-old niece is visiting us for the summer. She has always been
> an active and skinny kid, but this year I noticed that she gained a
> lot of weight-- not obese, but definately a big belly for her age.

At that age, a lot of kids go through the weightgain that mostly
goes to the belly before they spurt up and the weight reproportions itself.

> The problem is that this girl is literally repulsed by even the most
> innocuous foods-- any amount of spice or even any new flavor will
> cause her to reject the food immediately and refuse loudly and
> stubbornly to eat the food again. Bland foods like steamed carrots are
> eaten in slow and counted nibbles. Ethnic foods are out of the
> question.

This is part of the autonomy thing. It's something she can control
in her life, where her parents say where she can go, what she can
do, etc.

> That side of the family has a lot of obesity and now I am afraid that
> I am going to lose the active little girl I once knew as she enters
> her pre-teen years and becomes obese and unhealthy. We try hard to
> avoid making every meal a confrontation. In order to keep from
> alienating here completely, we do periodically give in to her cravings
> for what she calls "regular food" (chicken nuggets, one salad leaf
> submerged in ranch dressing, etc).

Sure. My daughter loves the chinese buffets. If she gets a good
report card (that comes out roughly every 10 weeks) she gets to go
to the chinese buffet.

> We have her for a few weeks every summer. What strategies can we try
> to at least get her to try some good foods? Recipes, perparation
> ideas, etc..?

Have her help. Take her to the smaller markets that only have
fruits and veggies, meat market, fish market, etc. Have her help
you pick out what to make for dinner tonight, or prepare the menus
with her and then shop for the foods. Teach her how to make
cookies, or jello, or some other treat (frozen jello pops?).

> I have been thinking about making her go "cold turkey" while she
> visits us by preparing only healthy foods whether she approves or not.
> Eventually, I am thinking that hunger will get the best of her and she
> will simply start eating the healthy foods and perhaps develop a taste
> for them.

You don't have to take her to junk-food-haven every day, but don't
try to battle with food. If she really hates everything you prepare
(how's that for your ego<g>?), then keep a jar of peanut butter and
jelly around, and the best compromise of bread you can tolerate. My
kid loved whole wheat bread until the kids at school made fun of it.
If she doesn't eat dinner, she won't starve, but you might want to
have that alternative for her. Or cheese (mild cheddar, muenster,
etc.) for sandwiches. Or a bowl of cereal and milk. Or if she's
allergic (you don't mention it, which means she probably isn't),
find some other basic foods that she can fall back on when the fare
has been too "weird" for her.

Good luck, and remember, you're the aunt, not the parent. Kids that
age like exotic preparations (my aunt Martha showing me how to tap
the sugar spoon to control how much sugar I dumped into my
tea)(Celery palm trees with carrot curls draped over the top like
fronds).

maxine in ri

H wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> My 9 year-old niece is visiting us for the summer. She has always been
> an active and skinny kid, but this year I noticed that she gained a
> lot of weight-- not obese, but definately a big belly for her age.

At that age, a lot of kids go through the weightgain that mostly
goes to the belly before they spurt up and the weight reproportions itself.

> The problem is that this girl is literally repulsed by even the most
> innocuous foods-- any amount of spice or even any new flavor will
> cause her to reject the food immediately and refuse loudly and
> stubbornly to eat the food again. Bland foods like steamed carrots are
> eaten in slow and counted nibbles. Ethnic foods are out of the
> question.

This is part of the autonomy thing. It's something she can control
in her life, where her parents say where she can go, what she can
do, etc.

> That side of the family has a lot of obesity and now I am afraid that
> I am going to lose the active little girl I once knew as she enters
> her pre-teen years and becomes obese and unhealthy. We try hard to
> avoid making every meal a confrontation. In order to keep from
> alienating here completely, we do periodically give in to her cravings
> for what she calls "regular food" (chicken nuggets, one salad leaf
> submerged in ranch dressing, etc).

Sure. My daughter loves the chinese buffets. If she gets a good
report card (that comes out roughly every 10 weeks) she gets to go
to the chinese buffet.

> We have her for a few weeks every summer. What strategies can we try
> to at least get her to try some good foods? Recipes, perparation
> ideas, etc..?

Have her help. Take her to the smaller markets that only have
fruits and veggies, meat market, fish market, etc. Have her help
you pick out what to make for dinner tonight, or prepare the menus
with her and then shop for the foods. Teach her how to make
cookies, or jello, or some other treat (frozen jello pops?).

> I have been thinking about making her go "cold turkey" while she
> visits us by preparing only healthy foods whether she approves or not.
> Eventually, I am thinking that hunger will get the best of her and she
> will simply start eating the healthy foods and perhaps develop a taste
> for them.

You don't have to take her to junk-food-haven every day, but don't
try to battle with food. If she really hates everything you prepare
(how's that for your ego<g>?), then keep a jar of peanut butter and
jelly around, and the best compromise of bread you can tolerate. My
kid loved whole wheat bread until the kids at school made fun of it.
If she doesn't eat dinner, she won't starve, but you might want to
have that alternative for her. Or cheese (mild cheddar, muenster,
etc.) for sandwiches. Or a bowl of cereal and milk. Or if she's
allergic (you don't mention it, which means she probably isn't),
find some other basic foods that she can fall back on when the fare
has been too "weird" for her.

Good luck, and remember, you're the aunt, not the parent. Kids that
age like exotic preparations (my aunt Martha showing me how to tap
the sugar spoon to control how much sugar I dumped into my
tea)(Celery palm trees with carrot curls draped over the top like
fronds).

maxine in ri

"Gabby" > wrote in message >...
> "Nancree" > wrote in message
> ...
> > This has been said before, but the reason Skippy, Kraft etc. peanut
> butters
> > have no oil floating on top is because they are hydrogenated oils. The oil
> is
> > in there, you just don't see it floating on top. Many of us consider this
> less
> > than healthy.
> > :Laura Scudder and other peanut butters have the oil floating on top,
> and
> > must be mixed in, but they are much more healthy.
> > Nancree
>
> I know the difference. I was just trying to point out to Mom that the
> peanut butter we ate as kids was natural p.b., not loaded with sugar and
> extra fats, so adding a bit of honey to it wasn't bad, but adding honey to
> Kraft smooth was overkill.
>
> Gabby

Sorry to pick on this, but it annoys me when people call regular
(Skippy, Jif, etc.) peanut butter "loaded" with extra fats. The amount
of partially hydrogenated oil in peanut butter is almost negligible
(to the point where it's difficult to accurately measure). I don't
discourage anyone from buying natural peanut butter if they'd prefer
to avoid the PHO entirely, but it's a misconception that Skippy is
half peanuts and half Crisco. They do contain more sugar and salt of
course, but given that you're only eating a tablespoon or so at a
time, that difference is also quite small.

"Gabby" > wrote in message >...
> "Nancree" > wrote in message
> ...
> > This has been said before, but the reason Skippy, Kraft etc. peanut
> butters
> > have no oil floating on top is because they are hydrogenated oils. The oil
> is
> > in there, you just don't see it floating on top. Many of us consider this
> less
> > than healthy.
> > :Laura Scudder and other peanut butters have the oil floating on top,
> and
> > must be mixed in, but they are much more healthy.
> > Nancree
>
> I know the difference. I was just trying to point out to Mom that the
> peanut butter we ate as kids was natural p.b., not loaded with sugar and
> extra fats, so adding a bit of honey to it wasn't bad, but adding honey to
> Kraft smooth was overkill.
>
> Gabby

Sorry to pick on this, but it annoys me when people call regular
(Skippy, Jif, etc.) peanut butter "loaded" with extra fats. The amount
of partially hydrogenated oil in peanut butter is almost negligible
(to the point where it's difficult to accurately measure). I don't
discourage anyone from buying natural peanut butter if they'd prefer
to avoid the PHO entirely, but it's a misconception that Skippy is
half peanuts and half Crisco. They do contain more sugar and salt of
course, but given that you're only eating a tablespoon or so at a
time, that difference is also quite small.

H" > wrote:
> I realize that a few weeks in the summer won't necessarily change the
> kid's eating habits because when she goes home it will be back to 10
> months of the soda machine and fries at school and Mcdonald's when her
> family doesn't feel like cooking mac and cheese. She is already
> fantasizng about making a trip to Mcdonald's when she goes home.
>
> I guess, what I am hoping for is for her to cross some threshold of
> acceptance for new foods so that when she grows up and realizes that
> she has not been eating healthy food, she will be more able to make a
> transition.

It's amazing how many "helpful" people there are out there who will end up
undermining your efforts. I remember taking my nephew on a cruise years ago,
and was "helped" by the maitre d'. My nephew was eating essentially
everything of the wonderfully varied menu that the ship offered. My nephew
thought it was all a great adventure. Then one day the maitre d' pulled me
(and my nephew) aside as we were entering the dining room, and mentioned
that the kitchen did have hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, pizza, etc. available
for kids. I would have just ignored that, but my nephew heard it, and ate
nothing but junk food the rest of the cruise.

Sometimes it's hard to predict what food is going to upset a picky eater
kid. Once after supper I offered my niece peach ice cream for dessert. She
was very excited until I placed the bowl of ice cream in front of her. Then
she started crying. What on earth??? I asked her what was wrong, and she
said the ice cream HAD peaches in it! I guess if you live in a processed,
homogenized, peeled, bleached, filtered world, the sight of actual pieces of
peach in the ice cream could be very frightening.

H" > wrote:
> I realize that a few weeks in the summer won't necessarily change the
> kid's eating habits because when she goes home it will be back to 10
> months of the soda machine and fries at school and Mcdonald's when her
> family doesn't feel like cooking mac and cheese. She is already
> fantasizng about making a trip to Mcdonald's when she goes home.
>
> I guess, what I am hoping for is for her to cross some threshold of
> acceptance for new foods so that when she grows up and realizes that
> she has not been eating healthy food, she will be more able to make a
> transition.

It's amazing how many "helpful" people there are out there who will end up
undermining your efforts. I remember taking my nephew on a cruise years ago,
and was "helped" by the maitre d'. My nephew was eating essentially
everything of the wonderfully varied menu that the ship offered. My nephew
thought it was all a great adventure. Then one day the maitre d' pulled me
(and my nephew) aside as we were entering the dining room, and mentioned
that the kitchen did have hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, pizza, etc. available
for kids. I would have just ignored that, but my nephew heard it, and ate
nothing but junk food the rest of the cruise.

Sometimes it's hard to predict what food is going to upset a picky eater
kid. Once after supper I offered my niece peach ice cream for dessert. She
was very excited until I placed the bowl of ice cream in front of her. Then
she started crying. What on earth??? I asked her what was wrong, and she
said the ice cream HAD peaches in it! I guess if you live in a processed,
homogenized, peeled, bleached, filtered world, the sight of actual pieces of
peach in the ice cream could be very frightening.

Crush on Lyle wrote:

> Sorry to pick on this, but it annoys me when people call regular
> (Skippy, Jif, etc.) peanut butter "loaded" with extra fats. The amount
> of partially hydrogenated oil in peanut butter is almost negligible
> (to the point where it's difficult to accurately measure). I don't
> discourage anyone from buying natural peanut butter if they'd prefer
> to avoid the PHO entirely, but it's a misconception that Skippy is
> half peanuts and half Crisco. They do contain more sugar and salt of
> course, but given that you're only eating a tablespoon or so at a
> time, that difference is also quite small.


I get Smucker's natural when I buy peanut butter, but it's not because
of the hydrogenation issue (frankly I think that's mostly hysteria). I
prefer it because I don't like sweet peanut butter, I think it has a
more peanuty flavor without the sugar and corn syrup.




Brian Rodenborn

Crush on Lyle wrote:

> Sorry to pick on this, but it annoys me when people call regular
> (Skippy, Jif, etc.) peanut butter "loaded" with extra fats. The amount
> of partially hydrogenated oil in peanut butter is almost negligible
> (to the point where it's difficult to accurately measure). I don't
> discourage anyone from buying natural peanut butter if they'd prefer
> to avoid the PHO entirely, but it's a misconception that Skippy is
> half peanuts and half Crisco. They do contain more sugar and salt of
> course, but given that you're only eating a tablespoon or so at a
> time, that difference is also quite small.


I get Smucker's natural when I buy peanut butter, but it's not because
of the hydrogenation issue (frankly I think that's mostly hysteria). I
prefer it because I don't like sweet peanut butter, I think it has a
more peanuty flavor without the sugar and corn syrup.




Brian Rodenborn

Crush on Lyle wrote:

> Sorry to pick on this, but it annoys me when people call regular
> (Skippy, Jif, etc.) peanut butter "loaded" with extra fats. The amount
> of partially hydrogenated oil in peanut butter is almost negligible
> (to the point where it's difficult to accurately measure). I don't
> discourage anyone from buying natural peanut butter if they'd prefer
> to avoid the PHO entirely, but it's a misconception that Skippy is
> half peanuts and half Crisco. They do contain more sugar and salt of
> course, but given that you're only eating a tablespoon or so at a
> time, that difference is also quite small.


I get Smucker's natural when I buy peanut butter, but it's not because
of the hydrogenation issue (frankly I think that's mostly hysteria). I
prefer it because I don't like sweet peanut butter, I think it has a
more peanuty flavor without the sugar and corn syrup.




Brian Rodenborn

"H" > wrote in message
m...
> Hi,
>
> My 9 year-old niece is visiting us for the summer. She has always been
> an active and skinny kid, but this year I noticed that she gained a
> lot of weight-- not obese, but definately a big belly for her age.
>
> Anyways, we are into cooking and like to make a large variety of
> dishes, as well as go out to eat at interesting restaurants.
>
> The problem is that this girl is literally repulsed by even the most
> innocuous foods-- any amount of spice or even any new flavor will
> cause her to reject the food immediately and refuse loudly and
> stubbornly to eat the food again. Bland foods like steamed carrots are
> eaten in slow and counted nibbles. Ethnic foods are out of the
> question.
>
> On the other hand, she eats adult-size portions of junk food,
> mcdonalds, and heaps of mayonaise.
>
> That side of the family has a lot of obesity and now I am afraid that
> I am going to lose the active little girl I once knew as she enters
> her pre-teen years and becomes obese and unhealthy. We try hard to
> avoid making every meal a confrontation. In order to keep from
> alienating here completely, we do periodically give in to her cravings
> for what she calls "regular food" (chicken nuggets, one salad leaf
> submerged in ranch dressing, etc).
>
> We have her for a few weeks every summer. What strategies can we try
> to at least get her to try some good foods? Recipes, perparation
> ideas, etc..?
>
> I have been thinking about making her go "cold turkey" while she
> visits us by preparing only healthy foods whether she approves or not.
> Eventually, I am thinking that hunger will get the best of her and she
> will simply start eating the healthy foods and perhaps develop a taste
> for them.

Perhaps you can make some dishes that don't contain multiple ingredients. Or
ask her what she does like and add a few things w/o telling her.
For example: Fettucini Alfredo is cheese, pasta, etc. Does she like cheese,
noodles, etc?

sf > wrote in message >. ..
> On 2 Aug 2004 12:46:31 -0700, (H) wrote:
>
> > I have been thinking about making her go "cold turkey" while she
> > visits us by preparing only healthy foods whether she approves or not.
> > Eventually, I am thinking that hunger will get the best of her and she
> > will simply start eating the healthy foods and perhaps develop a taste
> > for them.
>
> Hunger is a powerful tool.
>

I don't know about that; we have visited India every other summer with
my kids(growing up in the US) to visit our parents. There is no
alternative for them other than to eat what is placed in front of
them. The food is generally delicious, traditional South Indian, a bit
on the spicy side. But, my kids just live on yoghurt, plain rice and
mangoes the entire time. They do learn to eat the minimum and get by,
getting scrawnier. I know they have not really lost their appetites
because if I take over the cooking for an evening, they eat well again
even if it is the same type of food. The only good news is they have
become better over the years, and now that they are 16 and 17 they try
a little bit of everything even if they don't eat as heartily as they
do when I cook. I am just hoping they will be less picky by the time
they get to college which is just a year away for my older kid.

Kamala.

sf > wrote in message >. ..
> On 2 Aug 2004 12:46:31 -0700, (H) wrote:
>
> > I have been thinking about making her go "cold turkey" while she
> > visits us by preparing only healthy foods whether she approves or not.
> > Eventually, I am thinking that hunger will get the best of her and she
> > will simply start eating the healthy foods and perhaps develop a taste
> > for them.
>
> Hunger is a powerful tool.
>

I don't know about that; we have visited India every other summer with
my kids(growing up in the US) to visit our parents. There is no
alternative for them other than to eat what is placed in front of
them. The food is generally delicious, traditional South Indian, a bit
on the spicy side. But, my kids just live on yoghurt, plain rice and
mangoes the entire time. They do learn to eat the minimum and get by,
getting scrawnier. I know they have not really lost their appetites
because if I take over the cooking for an evening, they eat well again
even if it is the same type of food. The only good news is they have
become better over the years, and now that they are 16 and 17 they try
a little bit of everything even if they don't eat as heartily as they
do when I cook. I am just hoping they will be less picky by the time
they get to college which is just a year away for my older kid.

Kamala.

Kamala wrote:

> I don't know about that; we have visited India every other summer with
> my kids(growing up in the US) to visit our parents. There is no
> alternative for them other than to eat what is placed in front of
> them. The food is generally delicious, traditional South Indian, a bit
> on the spicy side. But, my kids just live on yoghurt, plain rice and
> mangoes the entire time. They do learn to eat the minimum and get by,
> getting scrawnier. I know they have not really lost their appetites
> because if I take over the cooking for an evening, they eat well again
> even if it is the same type of food. The only good news is they have
> become better over the years, and now that they are 16 and 17 they try
> a little bit of everything even if they don't eat as heartily as they
> do when I cook. I am just hoping they will be less picky by the time
> they get to college which is just a year away for my older kid.


You've just proved the general point. If you expose kids to a variety
of foods and get them to eat a little, they'll be more likely to eat a
variety of foods as they get older. They may never become adventurous
eaters, but they'll become a little less picky, a little better able to
choose foods for themselves. If you let them eat only junk food without
ever letting them decide for themselves whether they'd rather eat or go
hungry, they may get locked into bad habits forever. The tactic of
putting good food on the table and letting the child decide for herself
whether or not to eat (while offering no alternative) doesn't work in
the short run but is the best in the long run.


--Lia

Kamala wrote:

> I don't know about that; we have visited India every other summer with
> my kids(growing up in the US) to visit our parents. There is no
> alternative for them other than to eat what is placed in front of
> them. The food is generally delicious, traditional South Indian, a bit
> on the spicy side. But, my kids just live on yoghurt, plain rice and
> mangoes the entire time. They do learn to eat the minimum and get by,
> getting scrawnier. I know they have not really lost their appetites
> because if I take over the cooking for an evening, they eat well again
> even if it is the same type of food. The only good news is they have
> become better over the years, and now that they are 16 and 17 they try
> a little bit of everything even if they don't eat as heartily as they
> do when I cook. I am just hoping they will be less picky by the time
> they get to college which is just a year away for my older kid.


You've just proved the general point. If you expose kids to a variety
of foods and get them to eat a little, they'll be more likely to eat a
variety of foods as they get older. They may never become adventurous
eaters, but they'll become a little less picky, a little better able to
choose foods for themselves. If you let them eat only junk food without
ever letting them decide for themselves whether they'd rather eat or go
hungry, they may get locked into bad habits forever. The tactic of
putting good food on the table and letting the child decide for herself
whether or not to eat (while offering no alternative) doesn't work in
the short run but is the best in the long run.


--Lia

On 2004-08-02 21:13:47 +0100, Steve Calvin > said:
>unless it's something really bizarre that obviously a kid would
probably not want, such as tripe, etc)

Pah! My mother used to feed me tripe and onions when I was a kid and I
loved it. It was a treat to get tripe (cue the Monty Python Four
Yorkshiremen - "We used to DREAM of 'avin' tripe"). I still do count
tripe as a treat (though living here in the effete South of England
tripe's now a bit hard to get!)

I'm not having a go at you, Steve, but why would a kid not like (say)
tripe unless they had been preconditioned to think it was "yucky"
anyway?

It looks to me as if the OP's problem is made evident by:

> The problem is that this girl is literally repulsed by even the most
> innocuous foods-- any amount of spice or even any new flavor will
> cause her to reject the food immediately

together with

> what she calls "regular food" (chicken nuggets, one salad leaf
> submerged in ranch dressing, etc).

Somebody, somewhere is deciding what's "regular" food and what's
"yucky". Perhaps it's ease of preparation, perhaps the OP and her
sibling had different upbringings, but someone has decided that nuggets
and fries are food and that's that.

Then:

> That side of the family has a lot of obesity

This may not be coincidence.

One thought - meet her halfway. Chicken nuggets don't have to be
frozen things made out of the sweepings from under the chicken-slicing
machine. Make fresh ones from chunks of fresh chicken breast and
INVOLVE her in the preparation and cooking. Fries? Sure, but let (or
possibly "make") her cut her own homefries from unpeeled potatoes.
(under supervision, of course) That way she may see that she has some
control over the way things taste and that bland isn't best!

I wish you luck, OP, but this looks to me more like a family difference
than a culinary one. Cold turkey sounds good (perhaps in a good
wholemeal bread with a little sage and onion stuffing).And *everything*
tastes better when you're hungry.

--
Tony

On 2004-08-02 22:51:16 +0100, Nancy Young > said:
>
> My only complaint is that my mother insisted to the point of loooong
> lonely stressful dinners that I eat everything. Even liver.

I've decided I'm weird. I've always liked liver (even as a kid, and I
just phoned my mother up to confirm that).

--
Tony

On 2004-08-02 22:51:16 +0100, Nancy Young > said:
>
> My only complaint is that my mother insisted to the point of loooong
> lonely stressful dinners that I eat everything. Even liver.

I've decided I'm weird. I've always liked liver (even as a kid, and I
just phoned my mother up to confirm that).

--
Tony

On 2004-08-03 01:59:48 +0100, kalanamak > said:

> Due to certain opinions about spicy food leading to a dull palate and a
> craving for whiskey, cards, and horse betting, my wonderful mother
> cooked us very "bland" food

She was right. Except for the cards and the betting, in my case.

--
Tony