Live webchat with Celebrity TV chef Lesley Waters Weds 13th May 1-2pm -questions on fussy eaters, nutrition and recipe tips welcome

[carriemumsnet]

Hi all

Lesley Waters will be joining us on Wednesday, 13th May between 1-2pm for a live chat.

A mum of two and team member on Ready, Steady, Cook and This Morning, Lesley has first hand experience when it comes to children's eating habits and is happy to answer questions about fussy eaters. She's also keen on inspiring children to cook and presented TV show 'Little Chefs'.

Currently, Lesley's taking her knowledge and passion for children's nutrition to parents across the UK, by hosting the first ever cook-a-long for parents on the web.

The first in a series of online master classes from well-known names in the world of cookery, art, and entertainment, Lesley has created three fun cook-a-long recipes, encouraging children to enjoy themselves in the kitchen, get their hands messy and learn about cooking healthy, nutritious meals and the benefits of a healthy diet. Designed to suit three different age groups, 4-6yrs, 7-9yrs, and 10-12yrs, Haliborange Shiny School gives parents ideas and tips on how to have fun and learn something new as a family whilst providing nutritional advice. You can see the online classes here www.shinyschool.co.uk

As always, if you can't make it on Weds, feel free to post advance questions here. Otherwise we'll see you Weds lunchtime.

Ooh I like her and I loved when she had the red bits in her hair.

Hi Lesley
Big fan of yours

I have a 9yr old and a 4 yr old who dont like foods touching each other and wont try new things.

Any advice?
Thanks very much

Haliborange Shiny School my arse.

Hmm - am with Moony a bit - if Haliborange were truly to promote healthy eating, would they not be putting themselves out of business?

And "Shiny School"? Blee.

yeah me too but shit I'll try anything

Ah well, y'see I'd rather spent any extra cash on wine for me, not ridiculous supplements for Western kids who are already groaning at the seams and if anything, need a bit less shovelled down them, not more.

So, I'll say it again.
My arse.

Not sure I understand Moondog.

You think that Western children are over indulged?

Average Western child does not ned supplements, no.

lesley

DO NOT TELL ME IT IT MY FAULT MY KID/S IS FUNNY.

DO NOT TELL ME TO MAKE THEM COOK IT

DO NOT TELL ME TO MAKE FUNNY SHAPES OUT OF BUTTERNUT SQUASH

PLEASE EXPLAIN A KID WHO WONT EAT ROAST POTATOES BUT WILL EAT CHIPS

it doesnt work

I MEANT FUSSY
SORRY
rantlock on ?

Can you come around here and sort out my DD?
She is 11. She will only eat
GF muffins
GF crackers
pizza (as long as only small amount of tomato base and only cheese topping)
chips
roast chicken
roast potato

That. Is. It.

I have tried. Truly I have.

Help.

Why do all childrens cooking things have to be for sweet things or in stupid shapes ? I'd like more recipes for normal foods that are more prepare and shove in oven/minimal stirring that I can cook with my nearly 3 year old.

And I hope very much that this will be inclusive of recipes for children who are gf/df/ef

If you have a recipe tip for gluten free pastry that stays together without a consitency of cardboard I'd be very happy

Hi Lesley, yes I'm with CMOT on the bung it in the oven type of cooking please - no carrot sculptures! (And Cmot, have you looked at Pig in the Kitchen recipe blog, dairy, egg, nut and gluten free plus pretty pictures and entertaining to read )

My dds don't like anything where the food is mixed up together - stir fries, paella, egg fried rice etc so it's hard to sneak in extra veg. They do love soup, but I can't make soup every day, sigh. Any tips?

Hi Lesley - have you got a really good, foolproof recipe for a kids' birthday cake? Preferably with lots of icing and Smarties...

Hi Lesley

My dd is 8 and is a little fussy with food. She went through the stage of not wanting food to touch when she around 5 and she's gone from a very limited diet to a just limited diet. She'll now eat meatballs (but only one variety), pasta, potatoes, chips (but she likes lots of salt, which I'm trying to discourage) cucumber, carrots, cheese, but she won't mix foods.

Do you have any suggestions on how I can get her from single food groups to mixed items and recipes?

She has recently started to eat chocolate cake/muffins that are home made, but it's a new development really.

Thanks

hiya my little boy will only eat soft foods if we give him anything to chew he spits it out he will eat cheese sarnies, yogarts spag etc if he has anything whith lumps in he gags how can i get him to eat diff foods thanks

One of my children won't eat any fruit or vegetables. It can't be my fault as I have two other children, one of whom loves veg, and the other fruit. What shall I do? I thought it might be the bitterness or acicity, but it's not as he's taken to pouring vinegar over everything else with great gusto. Any suggestions (not carrot sculptures, which they are not interested in at all, not funny faces. They are not thick enough to be fooled by all that (I have tried, but won't again)

Both my dc's are really bad at eating protein. Dd (5) will eat Richmond sausages, fishfingers and baked beans. Ds (2) only eats fishfingers. They both love peanut butter, especially on rice cakes for ds. They both like potatoes and some veg but not fruit. Please help I'm very worried ds will starve if he goes off fish fingers.

My children eat well, but I never know how much of each of the food types they should have.

For example - 5 a day - just how big is a toddler sized portion? 1/4 apple, 1/2 apple, 1 apple?

And what about proteins and carbohydrates? What sort of quantities would be right?

Hi Leslie,

I have 2 boys - the eldest is a very fussyeater so I'm another one who's interested in hearing your strategies.

My youngest is, on the whole, a good eater. He has gotten into the habit of refusing his evening meal though so he is just having toast and yoghurt as a stop-gap. Would appreciate suggestions on finger food I can leave out for him to pick up and snack on that's healthy and maybe includes some veg.

Thanks

Hi Lesley,
Did you find it a struggle a one of the first female celebrity chefs? Were the blokes kind, patronising or hostile to you? And which of your colleagues do you rate?

Hi Lesley, I love your recipes but could you please try not to get so stressed during the end bits on Ready, Steady Cook, as it makes me get tense just watching you. "Sieve that!" "No! Pile it on the big plate!" "Oh give that here, you inept minion, I'll do it myself" etc. Ask Haliborange to sort you out some soothing Vitamin B Complex. My nerves can't take much more.

Test

Hi and welcome to mumsnet! My question is much the same as the others. I have 2 kids, one aged 6 and one aged two, neither are very adventurous, so I'd just like some inspiration please.

Hello. Just to let you know that Lesley Waters is here and flexing her typing fingers, ready to answer your questions.

Welcome, Lesley - please take it away!