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We are Pickle People
When I was a kid, my mom fixed us 3 square meals a day. Dinner was always a time when the whole family sat down together. We were always given an entree, a starch, and a vegetable. As a matter of fact, I remember not really knowing much about take-out pizza when I was in high school, because my mom NEVER ordered pizza out. If she didn’t feel like cooking, we had left-overs or she made grilled cheese. Or I just had a Miracle Whip Sandwich.
I, on the other hand, am a total slacker mom. Some of my kids’ favorite meals from me include Hamburger Helper and Chef Boyardee Ravioli.
However, I do have to say, I try to trick my kids into eating all their necessary food groups. How do I trick them, you ask? No, I don’t put frosting on a carrot, nor dunk broccoli in Hershey’s syrup. Instead, I offer them a lot of good choices and tell them that they MUST choose two side dishes.
For example, last night we had Sloppy Joes for dinner. Side dishes included: Cottage Cheese, sliced cheese (Co-Jack or Cheddar), corn, and pickles. I told the kids they had to have at least two side dishes but they could have all 4 if they liked.
There is a method to my madness: if a kid feels like he can choose what he gets to eat, I think he’s more likely to actually eat it. But if forced to eat what is on his plate, a kid is probably going to turn up his nose.
And, it has just become such a regular thing that I offer non-typical side dishes for dinner, I don’t even consider it as non-typical anymore. I only noticed this when our across-the-street neighbor stayed for dinner last week. I did the “You pick 2 of these 4 choices” thing. When I showed him pickles as one of the choices, he looked at me like, “Are you for real?”
The thing is, I am not really doing any more work than my mom did. I still fix an entree, a hot vegetable, and a starch. But then I add 2 or 3 more side dishes that are cold (like canned peaches, carrot sticks, sliced cheese, or apple slices). So, I’m not really having to do any extra prep work – I just basically open a can or a jar. And I make sure that none of the extra choices are starches, so when choosing my kids can’t choose two starches.
I don’t know what the long-term effects of this plan will be. But I can tell you, my kids eat a lot more pickles and carrot sticks than I ever did.
Gretchen, a.k.a. Texan Mama, spends her days finding rogue singleton socks and tending to the dozen feet that wear those socks. She resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with her husband, 5 children, and one dog (who doesn’t wear socks). In her spare time, she blogs at Who Put Me In Charge Of These People?
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barbara, June 5, 2010
I would be a pickle person also if I knew how to prep it, I have tried and tried but it never turns out well, If any of u can help me by telling me how to do it I would really apreciate it.....
Betty Bea, June 6, 2010
In the summer my Mom would make us cheddar sandwich with miracle whip, I gave the cheese to our Dog Misty and ate the Miracle Whip sandwich.
Texan Mama, June 7, 2010
Barbara-
I just use pickles from the store. I don't actually MAKE pickles. What I was trying to say is that, in our house I try to offer the kids some choices that don't require me making anything. Like slices of American cheese. Or pickles. Or baby carrots. (I just use Claussen pickles. I think they are the best.)
Alexis, June 10, 2010
We are pickle people too. My kids will eat anything pickled. They'll gobble green beans, okra, and olives and eat other foods so they can have more. I do have to say though I am not really sure how healthy pickles are. I was more thinking that maybe if they get used to eating pickled okra, one day they would eat fried okra too. I guy all these from the store too.
Farrah, June 15, 2010
Pickles are full of aluminum (alzheimer's and parkinson's)and sodium, and packaged sliced cheese have the same and worse. Perhaps there's a better tantalizer?
Dinah, June 15, 2010
My close friend growing up and eventually my college roomate was the daughter of a pickle Company owner, Heckman's pickles. I attribute my overall health to eating an abundance of these pickled cucumbers and tomatoes for many years. Yummmmmo!
Brandi, June 15, 2010
Having a variety is important. At my grandmother's house there was always a bounty of veggies from her garden. There were always several things to choose from on the dinner table. Also, she bribed us. We didn't have to eat anything we didn't like, but we got a penny a bite for trying something new. We would get a five penny bonus if we cleaned our plates. I got to choose what I wanted. I learned to try new things.
Sallie, June 15, 2010
My home was the same way when I was a child. I remember when there was more month than money, my parents would make pancakes for dinner. That was one of my favorite dinners. I had no idea at the time that it was because we were low on money. We kids thought it was a treat! I never remember having Miracle Whip sandwiches, but I'm sure I would have eaten it. That was our mayo, and we loved it. One of our favorite side dishes was sliced tomatoes with a dollop of Miracle Whip on top...
Maxie, June 15, 2010
While pickles are technically a green veggie, they have next to zero nutritional value, sort of like iceberg lettece or celery. Not bad things to eat, however, as they tend to fill you up without all the calories of a fat or starch. Good for dieters and snacking adults and children, but this should be construed as eating a serving of the vegetable food group...
Kirin Loomis, June 15, 2010
I really like this plan. I do like giving kids choices other than "no." With mine, I had a rule that you have to at least taste everything before you can have seconds on anything. So for years my daughter would eat her required "one green bean" before she filled up on other things, but now as an adult you can take her anywhere and she will eat what is offered. My intention is the same as yours--to encourage a broadening of food tolerances, and help them to enjoy food.
Mamabear, June 15, 2010
"And I make sure that none of the extra choices are starches, so when choosing my kids can’t choose two starches."
Carrot sticks, canned peaches, apple slices are all starches. They all have carbohydrates in them. Fruits and vegetables are sources of carbohydrates (hence a starch). Carbohydrates = starch.
Anyways, I can see where you are going in your article. It is always a good idea to offer choices...
Stephanie, June 15, 2010
We are totally pickle people, but I never realized it. In the summer it is more common than during the winter and not everyday do we have 'pickles' but more often than not. Ours is usually fresh veggies like cucumbers, baby carrots or sliced or cherry tomatoes. I do think I will try adding cottage cheese though, I think they would like that. Thanks!
Carol, June 15, 2010
Something I did with my son when he was young (now 14) to encourage him to try things he "didn't like" (even tho he'd never tried before), was to tell him that he had to try just one bite and if he didn't like it after that he did not have to eat it. By doing this, he actually realized there was a lot of things he really DID like, and other things that he maybe didn't like one time he would try again at another time and discover that his tastes changed and he now likes it...
Julie D, June 15, 2010
Claussen pickles are my favorite too! They're the only ones I buy, but my my daughter will eat any kind. She loves pickles.
I am with you on cooking and side dishes though. When I first started having to cook on my own it was a lot of Hamburger Helper-type foods - those easy to follow instructions types of foods. Now that I know more about how to prepare and cook meals I have gone away from them, but I still provide a variety of sides too...
Mary Henry, June 15, 2010
My kids love pickles...My 2 year old usually hits the fridge and says "PICKLE" before each meal. Sometimes breakfast is a few pickles and toast with pb! I too find choices work well. Usually what I am eating is her choice my son is a bit more difficult but I do the same thing here are 4 choices pick 2!
