Apologies, But Your One-Year-Old Isn’t Exactly a Gourmet

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Apologies, But Your One-Year-Old Isn’t Exactly a Gourmet
by Clara Thompson
February 29, 2016

While enjoying a sunny afternoon at the playground with my children, my oldest, as toddlers often do, started tugging at my shirt, asking for a snack. We found a bench, and after rummaging through my seemingly bottomless bag, I pulled out a granola bar (let’s be honest, it was more cookie than bar) for my son to munch on while I took care of his baby brother. I was thrilled to finally take a break from the chase and didn’t mind my snack choices. I even treated myself to a bite of that “healthy” cookie.

Soon after, another mom and her daughter, who I guessed was about 13 months old, settled next to us. This mother opened a small metal tin filled with blueberries and began handing them to her daughter, who gobbled them up with enthusiasm. I smiled at her, which I suppose indicated that I was up for a chat. She couldn’t stop raving about her little one’s impressive appetite and all the healthy foods she consumes. “Oh, my little food critic (not her actual name), she eats everything from fruits to vegetables.” Naturally, this conversation unfolded just a couple of feet away from my son, who was happily devouring his cookie-like granola bar.

As I listened to this mom extolling her daughter’s refined taste, I felt that familiar wave of self-doubt creeping in. Was she judging me? Did she think I only fed my child artificially colored snacks devoid of nutrition? I might as well have handed my son a soda! If only she could have seen my son back when he was her kid’s age, munching on fistfuls of spinach and happily consuming squash.

I did everything “right” to ensure my son wouldn’t become a picky eater. During my 20 months of breastfeeding, I was meticulous about what I consumed so that my son would only taste nutritious foods through my milk. When he started solid foods at six months, I embraced baby-led weaning, allowing him to explore un-pureed foods. I delighted in watching him smear butternut squash all over his face. I offered him a wide variety of healthy foods, yet here we are, with a child who believes mac and cheese is an acceptable breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

With my second child, who is now 9 months old, I’ve learned a few lessons. He’s just starting to explore the culinary world beyond his usual fare. Like most infants, he’s willing to try anything he can grab, with current favorites being bananas, avocados, and yes, even his brother’s toy trains. I’m enjoying his culinary adventures and his eager appetite, but I’ve learned to keep my bragging in check. It’s only a matter of time before he turns his nose up at the very things he once loved.

If you’re thinking, “That could never happen to my child,” just wait! One day, your sweet little one will transform into a headstrong mini-human with actual opinions about food. No matter how strict you are with their diet, chances are you’ll eventually give in and offer them something less-than-perfect (whatever that might mean for you). That “special treat” will soon become the one thing they want to eat, until, out of the blue, it becomes the most repulsive item on the planet.

Sure, some toddlers have amazing palates and enjoy foods that don’t resemble dinosaur shapes. But a child just learning what’s edible (like carrots—yay!—and phone chargers—no thank you) isn’t necessarily a good eater. They’re simply normal kids exploring the world with their mouths, and everything is on the menu. Why else are we warned to keep small objects out of their reach?

Once your child grows old enough to distinguish between food and carpet lint, their real tastes will begin to surface. You might accidentally put the wrong sauce on their noodles or cut their apples in a way that displeases them. You’ll find yourself battling at least once a week over food choices, as this is a toddler’s way of asserting control in an unpredictable world. Often, you might not want to engage in those battles, or maybe you’ll have the strength to stick to your guns and only serve what you believe is best for them. If you can do that, more power to you (and please, share your secrets).

But if your little one is still chewing on wires alongside their snacks, please hold off on bragging about your child’s eating habits. Give me a call when they’re two and dining at the finest restaurant in town.

For more parenting wisdom, check out this post on navigating the ups and downs of toddler life at this blog. And if you’re looking for additional resources on fertility, this website is a great place to start. For those interested in pregnancy and home insemination, IVF Babble is an excellent source of information.

Summary

Parenting toddlers can be a rollercoaster, especially when it comes to food preferences. The journey of introducing healthy eating habits often leads to unexpected twists, and what seems like a gourmet eater today may turn into a picky one tomorrow. The key is to embrace the chaos and remember that every child is different, navigating their culinary world one snack at a time.