Toddler cuisine?

[chickenisgood]

DS is 20m and along with the typical toddler eating challenge, generally eats well. DH and I have always enjoyed cooking/eating a wide variety of different cuisine, various ethnic foods. DS has been introduced to and enjoys many of these, however we have been hesitant to introduce spicier (as in hotter) foods and generally give him his portion separately (minus the heat) when we eat these things.

Obviously in their countries of origin children must eat these foods, so they must be introduced somehow....? Is it ok to just go ahead and give him a little bit and let him try it? Or should it wait until his gastrointestinal system is a little more mature?

The only other person I know who eats like us is my mother and she has warned me not to give him hot things or he will get diaper rash? He has never had that so we don't want to cause it, but not sure this sounds right somehow?

Wondering if we should let him eat very spicy things and if so is there a way it should be introduced?

I would start off with a milder version for him to start with - he'll find yours far too hot if he hasn't had anything like that before. Go for the equivalent of a mild thai green curry or a mild indian curry first.

MrsT - you describe exactly what we've done so far - and he loves both a mild indian curry and a mild green thai curry, with no apparent side-effects. So we're wondering if it would be ok for him to share in some hotter thai food, for example?

I don't see why not but just go up in stages?
I worked with an indian lady and that's how they do it with their babies...

My DS is 18mnth and has a surprisingly high tolerance for spicy food.

I have never offered it to him but he always helps himself to food off my plate and he has eaten some pasta in a chilli sauce and moderately spicy curry (indian and thai). He did look a little startled, poked his ear, contemplated what he was eating then proceeded to tuck in.

Hmm, thanks ladies, will try him on a little bit tonight and see how it goes!