- Do you think you/ your partner has a real love of good, healthy food? If so, where did this come from? How do you try and pass that on to your child?
I know I do (DH really doesn't). My training as a healthcare professional has really helped, but I am also naturally inclined towards fresh fruit and veg. I try and pass this onto my DDs by making sure that their food is balanced - vegetables feature at every lunch and dinner, and fruit is offered at all meals and snacktimes, and they have carbs and protein at every meal - but junk is not forbidden, more part of an overall picture.
This has definitely worked, because they ask if veg or salad isn't included in a meal, and will usually choose fruit as a snack.
Drinks are also part of the picture, and water is definitely their main (and generally first choice of) drink, with other things such as smoothies, fizzy drinks and squash reserved as treats.
Mixing things up makes their diet more interesting. For example, packed lunches aren't always sandwiches, sometimes they have soup and bread, hummus and pitta, wraps, bagels, salads...
- What challenges do you feel you face in establishing good food foundations for your little one? What has surprised you about your child?s journey with food so far
My DH sets a terrible example because he has a very sweet tooth and will often leave his vegetables or salad. If he does meals (rarely), he often forgets to do veg and the DDs (aged six and three) remind him! One of the things I have found the most surprising is that children have much more refined tastes than given credit for. My two love sushi and will eat any kind of fish. They also love mature cheeses. You don't necessarily need to dumb things down for children.
Do your children love all food or can it be a challenge at times to get them to try and enjoy new foods? What kinds of foods do you find more challenging to try with your little one
New foods need talking about, but they will normally try something if there is some familiarity (sushi, for example, was acceptable initially because it included avocado and salmon). Completely alien foods are much more difficult, but I think that is understandbale.
- What worries and concerns do you have about their future enjoyment of food? How do you deal with these?
As a mum of two girls, I worry about them fixating on appearance. On the flip side, I also worry about obesity (DH is obese, I am not). It is a balancing act and one I deal with by talking about issues openly as they arise, and also trying to be a good role model.
- What hopes and aspirations do you have for their lifelong eating habits
That they learn to find the balance themselves.
- What help and support are you looking for? Where do you get that support currently?
It would be nice to have some ideas for new meals. An app where you type in what you are doing (picnic, packed lunch, dinner, weekend breakfast etc) and they can choose the kind of thing your children like so it can generate some new ideas would be great!
- When do you want to receive help, support, info and where?
See above!