'Do I Have to Eat This?'

When my youngest was a toddler he adored Doritos. I tried to keep them hidden, but he could spot that shiny red bag from another room. At one of his yearly check-ups, the doctor asked how his eating habit were. I vowed to tell the truth and told him of the Doritos addiction. His response: “Didn’t know he did the grocery shopping…”

Well, didn’t I feel dumb. And so began the somewhat forced purging of the really, really bad stuff from the house (although the good stuff can sound just as scary … see last week's column.) Since that time I have tried my best to provide healthy meals and snacks, and have failed miserably. My kids seem to have some sixth sense about food that is wholesome and healthy. Any time they are served, even in the teeniest amounts, something with any redeeming value, I hear the following:

What IS that?

I don’t like that!

Do I have to eat it?

How much do I have to eat?

Why is it so gross?

I have tried hiding the good stuff compliments of a few cookbooks I have bought. But they still know. I even bought healthy food hidden in forms such as soy corn dogs and tofu chicken nuggets. None passed muster. Although the boy across the street adored them. 

The sad thing is I love the idea of cooking so much. I can spend hours poring over a new cookbook or magazine. I dream of serving grilled pizza with sun dried tomatoes, goat cheese and arugala with a side of homemade sweet potato chips and roasted chick peas. All would be chock full of vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. I even go so far as to dream that they clean the plate and ask for seconds. But, alas, it usually turns out to be the standard meal of spaghetti and meatballs or chicken and rice. I have managed to incorporate fish into the diet and it isn’t even square!

My one saving grace is cut up fresh fruit and vegetables, so long as they are not cooked, they are fair game. So parents of Milford, how do you dole out healthy foods to the picky eaters in your household? Please, please share. Dinner is now being served (pork Diane with rice cooked in chicken broth and steamed broccoli) and I am preparing for the worst …