with a wider range of less familiar foods as a young adult in a multicultural foodscape. Kids are not born reciting an alphabet; it takes time and practice to read and learn a new language. Similar- ly, it requires time and patient practice to establish a healthy foundation for eating. Have faith in the family’s ability to make eating together enjoyable for everyone.


Clancy Cash Harrison is a mother of two, pediatric feeding therapist, regis- tered dietitian and author of Feeding Baby: Simple Approaches to Raising a Healthy Baby and Creating a Lifetime of Nutritious Eating. Connect at FieldsOfFlavor.com.


Kid Feeding Tips by Clancy Cash Harrison


n Holding off on fruits as a first food to prevent development of a sweet tooth is a myth. A sweet taste prefer- ence is engrained in an infant’s DNA (Annual Review of Nutrition; Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care).


n Restricting foods high in sugar and fat increases a child’s preference for them. Then, when sweets are made available, the child feels compelled to overeat them (Appetite; The American Journal of Clinical Nutri- tion; Proceedings of the Nutrition Society).


n Most children will refuse a new food and by age 2, become afraid of any- thing new. Therefore, introduce a large variety of foods early in life (Appetite; International Journal of Obesity).


n Infants and children can regu- late calorie needs based on current growth patterns and age. Some days an infant will eat large amounts of food, on others very little.


n Pressuring a child to eat is a behav- ior associated with unhealthy eating habits. Not only does it set them up for long-term food aversions, it teaches them to distrust their internal feelings of hunger and fullness, often leading to a habit of overeating.


Sweet and


Chunky Avocado ½ ripe organic avocado, mashed with a fork


½ ripe organic banana Pinch of organic cinnamon (optional)


Mix ingredients well until smooth and creamy. Add breast milk to thin as need- ed. For more texture, dice the banana and gently mix into mashed avocado.


T


hese recipes are designed to build dense bones, powerful brains and tough immunity by strategically pairing foods to increase the absorption of vital nutrients. Even toddlers love to use the creamy recipes as dips for their favorite vegetable sticks. To encourage self-feed- ing with a thinner-texture recipe, place food on a spoon and let the infant lean into it or pull the spoon to their mouth.


Easy Kid-Pleasing Recipes Cinnamon Smashed


Sweet Potatoes 2 Tbsp smashed organic sweet potato Dash organic cinnamon


Bake sweet potato until its center is soft. Remove flesh from peel. Smashing with a fork, mix in cinnamon. Add breast milk to thin as needed.


tsp organic coconut oil 1 Tbsp organic peas 1 pinch fresh chopped organic dill


Dilled Peas 1/4


In a cast iron skillet, heat coconut oil over medium heat. Add peas and cook for 5 minutes, constantly stirring. Toss with dill before serving.


Strawberry and


Almond Purée 8 raw, soaked almonds 4 large organic strawberries, diced 1 tsp fresh chopped organic herbs (basil, cilantro or mint)


Pulse almonds in a blender until finely chopped. Add strawberries and herb of choice. Mix until well blended.


Basil and Banana 1 tsp finely chopped fresh organic basil ½ diced organic banana


In a blender, mix all ingredients until smooth. Add breast milk to thin as needed.


Banana and Coconut


Ice Cream 4 frozen organic bananas (without peels)


½ cup unsweetened organic coconut milk


1 tsp organic vanilla extract natural awakenings May 2015 27


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