My four year old isn’t a super picky eater most of the time. However, as any parent knows, some times food becomes the one thing kids can exert their control over–and it can become a battle ground. Most of the literature out there suggests not allowing food to be a battle because it can backfire making kids pickier, associating control and food, and even contributing to eating disorders. As a parent, my job is to provide the buffet of balanced choices and a variety of healthy food. One fun way to do that is to eat a rainbow of foods.
I didn’t shop for anything specific, just opened my cupboards and fridge and found healthy foods to fit each color. I tried to sneak in one food my son is reluctant to eat, some old favorites and even some treats. I try to make sure he knows that treats aren’t bad , they are just good in small quantities. We refer to healthy fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats as “growing foods” so we aren’t placing value on food by calling it good and bad.
I arranged the foods, included a cup of water (with a fun ribbon) and welcomed my son to snack time. This was a big snack so we shared it as a family. On our plate there was strawberries, carrots, honey graham bunnies (the treat), snap peas, blueberries (which he still refuses to eat, but I keep trying) and grape fruit leather.
Here are some more ideas for each color :
Red
Apples with the peel, raspberries, red bell pepper, dried cherries, salami or pepperoni.
Orange
Tangerine sections, (more…)
