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	<title>BabyBites.info - Transforming a picky eater into a healthy eater. &#187; Mealtimes with Kids</title>
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	<link>http://www.babybites.info</link>
	<description>Transforming a picky eater into a healthy eater.  A guide for parents of picky eaters that actually works.</description>
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		<title>Breakfast on the Go</title>
		<link>http://www.babybites.info/2011/08/25/breakfast-on-the-go/</link>
		<comments>http://www.babybites.info/2011/08/25/breakfast-on-the-go/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:12:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nonna Joann</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mealtimes with Kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[breakfast ideas]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.babybites.info/?p=8744</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Brooke recently emailed me about her breakfast concerns. School is starting once again and the rush to get the kids out the door with a nourishing breakfast can be a challenge. Brooke said, “I have a plethora of parenting magazines thanks to dirt cheap Groupon and Mamapedia online deals, but am not finding a good [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-8758" style="float: right; margin: 8px;" title="Angel Breakfast" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/DSC02522-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="400" />Brooke recently emailed me about her breakfast concerns. School is starting once again and the rush to get the kids out the door with a nourishing breakfast can be a challenge.</p>
<p>Brooke said, “I have a plethora of parenting magazines thanks to dirt cheap <em>Groupon</em> and <em>Mamapedia</em> online deals, but am not finding a good selection of healthy, whole breakfasts to serve my kids. I know the breakfasts I serve my kids are quick and – well, they deserve better. By better I mean more protein and overall nutrients. I know my lifestyle enough to realize it’s not entirely realistic for me to turn on the oven or stove in the morning before we leave, so any baking or cooking would have to be done ahead of time.”</p>
<p>Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and usually the most rushed. According to the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, more than 25 percent of kids, aged 11 to 18, skip breakfast altogether.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><strong>Angel gets a good start to her school day,<br />
by eating breakfast.</strong></p>
<p>If you are trying to get out the door yourself it’s tempting to rely on processed foods. Brooke knows in order to have a nutritious breakfast, it will take some preparation. But how do you manage a hearty breakfast without spending a lot of time in the kitchen? There are ways to make the morning meal nutritious and fast.</p>
<ul>
<li>First, we have to get over the idea there is only some food is suitable for breakfast. In other parts of the world, eating salads for breakfast is commonplace. What could be easier?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Make a breakfast sandwich. Peanut butter (or any nut butter) and jelly sandwich on whole wheat bread gives a substantial start to the day. Egg salad sandwiches made with toasted bread is a more traditional breakfast sandwich.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Eggs are always quick. But if you don&#8217;t have time to cook them in the morning, you can hard-boil a dozen for the week, then there is NO cooking in the morning, just grab a boiled egg or two from the refrigerator. 
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/2009/06/01/hardboil-eggs/"><strong>Click Here</strong></a> for a fail-safe recipe.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Fruit smoothies require no cooking. When you supercharge them, your kids will have a solid meal. 
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/2011/01/27/super-smoothie/"><strong>Click Here</strong></a> for a Super Smoothie recipe.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Oatmeal only takes five minutes. Cook more than you need on the weekend when you have more time and store it in the refrigerator. The same goes for Quinoa (although it has a longer cooking time); each will keep about 5 days in the refrigerator. Just add a little water and heat up. Change the toppings for variety. One morning it’s raisins and walnuts, another it’s blueberries. 
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/2009/06/01/oatmeal/"><strong>Click Here</strong></a> for my oatmeal recipe.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Whole wheat toast with a nut butter, a piece of cheese and fruit makes for a quick breakfast.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>If you want a boxed cereal, be sure it’s jam-packed with whole grains. If your children are used to eating sugared cereal, a whole grain cereal will not go over too well. Expect a period of transition.  I especially like Ezekiel 4:9 Original, purchased from a whole foods store. I always add sliced almonds and either blue or black berries.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Try these Blueberry-Bran Muffins 
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/2008/06/01/blueberry-oat-bran-muffins/"><strong>(Click Here)</strong></a>. Make them ahead and heat up in the morning.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>
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<p><strong>For a synopsis of </strong><em><strong>Baby Bites: Transforming a Picky Eater into a Healthy Eater</strong></em><strong>, 
<a  href="../2011/08/16/2011/08/11/2011/08/09/2011/08/04/2011/07/21/2011/07/19/2011/07/14/2011/07/11/2011/07/07/2011/07/05/about/4/">Click Here.</a></strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong>
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<a  href="../2011/08/16/2011/08/11/2011/08/02/2011/07/21/2011/07/19/2011/07/14/2011/07/11/2011/07/07/2011/07/05/2011/06/28/2011/06/23/2011/06/21/2011/06/16/2011/06/14/2011/06/09/2011/06/07/2011/06/02/2011/05/31/2011/05/26/2011/05/23/2011/05/10/2011/04/07/2011/04/05/2011/03/31/2011/03/29/2011/03/24/2011/03/22/2011/03/17/2011/03/15/2011/03/10/2011/03/08/2011/03/03/2011/03/01/2011/02/24/2011/02/22/2011/02/17/2011/02/15/2011/02/10/2011/02/08/2011/02/03/2011/02/01/2011/01/27/2011/01/25/2011/01/20/2011/01/18/2011/01/13/2011/01/12/2011/01/06/2011/01/04/2010/12/30/2010/12/28/2010/12/23/2010/12/21/2010/12/17/2010/12/14/2010/12/07/2010/12/02/2010/11/29/2010/11/23/2010/11/18/2010/11/16/2010/11/11/2010/11/09/2010/11/04/2010/10/28/2010/10/26/2010/10/14/2010/09/07/2010/09/02/2010/08/31/2010/08/26/2010/08/23/2010/08/19/2010/08/17/2010/08/12/2010/08/10/2010/08/03/2010/07/29/2010/07/13/2010/07/07/2010/07/02/2010/06/25/2010/06/22/2010/06/17/2010/06/15/2010/06/10/2010/06/08/2010/06/01/2010/05/28/2010/05/26/2010/05/20/2010/05/18/2010/05/13/2010/05/04/2010/04/29/2010/04/22/2010/04/20/2010/04/15/2010/04/13/2010/04/06/2010/04/02/2010/03/30/2010/03/24/2010/03/18/2010/03/03/2010/02/25/2010/02/23/2010/02/18/2010/02/15/2010/02/11/2010/02/09/2010/02/04/2010/02/02/2010/01/28/2010/01/26/2010/01/21/2010/01/19/2009/12/31/2009/12/29/2009/12/17/ezine/"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong></a></strong></p>
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		<title>Meal Prep Is Fun For Kids</title>
		<link>http://www.babybites.info/2011/06/30/kids-cook/</link>
		<comments>http://www.babybites.info/2011/06/30/kids-cook/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:00:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nonna Joann</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mealtimes with Kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[baby bites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kids cooking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kids' chores]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[meal prep]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[multi-sensory learning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[picky eater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[toddler picky eater]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.babybites.info/2009/06/16/kids-cook/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The days are warm and long. The kids are home and need something to keep them busy. It&#8217;s the perfect time to include your kids in meal preparation. Meal preparation is an opportunity for your youngster to have hands-on experiences with various foods. &#8220;Multi-sensory learning&#8221; is involving all the senses in the process. When kids have chores in the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img style="margin: 8px; width: 300px; height: 427px;" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/wyatt2.JPG" alt="wyatt2.JPG" hspace="8" vspace="8" width="300" height="427" align="right" />The days are warm and long. The kids are home and need something to keep them busy. It&#8217;s the perfect time to include your kids in meal preparation. Meal preparation is an opportunity for your youngster to have hands-on experiences with various foods.</p>
<p>&#8220;Multi-sensory learning&#8221; is involving all the senses in the process. When kids have chores in the kitchen, touch, sight, smell, and sound are part of their learning experience. Kids used to help plant, water, weed, and then harvest a summer garden. Kids would help prepare the food for storage, then in the making of meals, and the eventual clean-up. Before every home had a dishwasher, kids not only set the table, but did all the dishes.</p>
<p>When I was growing up I had two best friends, who lived in my neighborhood, Kathy and Debbie. Kathy&#8217;s mom was extremely fastidious and her home was always immaculate. We seldom ventured inside Kathy&#8217;s house and then it was only with trepidation.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Debbie was the oldest girl of five children. There was always something going on at her house. I was often invited over for dinner.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><strong>Wyatt loves to help his dad bring in the groceries and this melon smells so yummy!</strong></p>
<p>Debbie and her brothers took turns helping their mom with the meals. Looking back, I&#8217;m amazed at how much time I spent at her house. Because I was there so much, I&#8217;d be helping right along with them.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Multi-Sensory Learning Vital for the Picky Eater</strong></span><br />
Families are divorced from the land where food is grown. We no longer appreciate the work it takes to grow, harvest, and then prepare the food. Often mom doesn&#8217;t really cook. So why should kids be expected to help with preparing meals? Cooking is an excellent activity, which will help your picky eater appreciate once-refused foods. Each food has unique colors, textures, smells, and tastes. Each food is different and different is fun! Cooking is a hands-on experience.</p>
<p>There is a great sense of accomplishment with meal preparation. Most parents will occasionally bake sweets with their children. This is a helpful task to learn how to measure, but most kids don&#8217;t need any encouragement to eat cookies or cupcakes. Parents will often allow their kids to make boxed foods, like macaroni and cheese. This, again, only promotes the consumption of highly processed foods.</p>
<p>Meal prep in your kitchen is the perfect setting to talk about various healthful ingredients. What&#8217;s the texture? What color is it? Who likes to eat this? What does it taste like? What&#8217;s the food smell like? How does it benefit your body (carrots help our eyes, broccoli prevents cancer, etc.)</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A Picky Eater Is Never Too Young<br />
</span></strong>Helping in the kitchen is a natural method to include multi-sensory learning, no matter how old your child is. Children experience a great sense of accomplishment when they master simple cooking skills. There&#8217;s a greater desire to taste a new food or to eat a once-refused food, if your child has helped in its preparation.</p>
<p>1) A toddler can help carry unbreakable items to the table. They can help to wash fruit and veggies with a soft veggie brush. They can spread cream cheese, nut butters, and jelly on sandwiches with plastic-ware. Mix ingredients. Peel bananas. Shuck corn. Tear lettuce.</p>
<p>2) A preschooler can help set and clear the table. Toss things in the trash. Identify and bring items within reach from the pantry. Help measure ingredients. Break eggs into a bowl with assistance. Make sandwiches. Toss salads (Not just lettuce, either. Try 
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/2008/07/01/broccoli-cauliflower-salad/">cauliflower and broccoli salad.</a>). Serve herself/himself.</p>
<p>3) Grade school children can set and clear the table by themselves. Wash and dry the dishes. Help make a grocery list and help you shop. They can read the nutrition label and identify ingredients on it. Use the blender. Make simple recipes with assistance. Make salads. Peel potatoes. Make a fruit smoothie in a blender.</p>
<p><strong><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1958" style="float: left; margin: 8px;" title="Baby Bites" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/Baby-Bites1.jpg" alt="" width="114" height="128" />For info about the free Baby Bites Ezine</strong>, 
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/ezine/"><strong>Click Here.</strong></a></p>
<p><strong>For a synopsis of </strong><em><strong>Baby Bites: Transforming a Picky Eater into a Healthy Eater</strong></em><strong>, 
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/about/4/">Click Here.</a></strong></p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Kids in the Kitchen</title>
		<link>http://www.babybites.info/2011/02/22/kids-in-the-kitchen/</link>
		<comments>http://www.babybites.info/2011/02/22/kids-in-the-kitchen/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:26:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nonna Joann</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mealtimes with Kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kids cooking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kids in the kitchen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[picky eater]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.babybites.info/?p=6503</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When I was growing up, kids were expected to help with family chores. The larger the family, the more chores children were given. I frequently could be found at my best friend’s home. Debbie was the eldest girl in a family with five children. Before she was allowed to play after school, her chores needed [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-6506" style="float: right; margin: 8px;" title="DSC00445" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/DSC00445-300x263.jpg" alt="" width="330" height="289" />When I was growing up, kids were expected to help with family chores. The larger the family, the more chores children were given.</p>
<p>I frequently could be found at my best friend’s home. Debbie was the eldest girl in a family with five children. Before she was allowed to play after school, her chores needed to be done. I often would help her, so we would have more time to play together.</p>
<p>Dinnertime meant kitchen chores. When I was 11 and Debbie 10, her baby sister was born. Debbie was required to help her mom out more, especially in the kitchen.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><strong>Angel sautés</strong><strong> onions and red bell peppers</strong>.</p>
<p>Kids are very capable of prepping foods and even cooking. Although my mom didn&#8217;t teach me to cook, at Debbie&#8217;s home we were setting the table, peeling potatoes, making simple meals and, of course, washing and drying the dishes. (Dishwashers were not found in most homes…kids were the dishwashers!)</p>
<p>I always loved it when I was invited over for dinner, even though I knew I would be helping Debbie with her dinnertime chores. Debbie’s house was full of excitement and activity, whereas my home, with only three people, was pretty quiet. Her brothers, Billy and Jamie, enjoyed smacking us (hard I might add) on the arm as they walked by. Not having brothers of my own, this brotherly love (harassment) was an education. The entire family sat together for dinner, which was prepared from scratch, not “heated” from a box.</p>
<p>Today, parents are often rushed. Instead of relying on their kids for kitchen support, kids are being transported to and from various lessons and sports practices during the time meals should be prepared. Parents often resort to “take out.”</p>
<p>It’s no surprise really the US Department of Health and Human Services says eating dinner together proves to be an effective way to raise healthier children. It not only keeps the family tied together, but sets an example of healthy eating.</p>
<p>Better than just “eating together” is when kids are actively involved with the making of the shared meal. There is a sense of accomplishment and pride, especially for the picky eater, who needs multi-sensory experiences with various whole foods. Involving a picky eater with the preparation of a meal is the single most effective thing you can do to transform a picky eater into a healthy eater.</p>
<p>The first time or two, you will need to closely oversee the making of a recipe. Your kids need to know where you keep ingredients and utensils. Also, the proper way to use cooking utensils and how to measure ingredients needs to be taught. While cooking with your child, take the opportunity to explain about the goodness of whole foods. After being supervised a time or two, by age ten or so, most kids can complete a simple meal on their own.</p>
<p>Start out with something relatively easy. Kids can make grilled sandwiches, creamed tuna over toast, scrambled eggs and even pancakes made from scratch. Peeling potatoes for mashing or serving scalloped, making a salad and other side dishes are great opportunities for your child to learn how to cook.</p>
<p>Unless you are really organized, several children in the kitchen can be a hassle, perhaps even a hazard. Designate one day a week for each child to help or make the meal. That will avoid squabbling over who gets to do what. In addition, complements about the food will be directed to one special kid.</p>
<p><strong>
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<a  href="../2011/02/17/2011/02/15/2011/02/10/2011/02/08/2011/02/03/2011/02/01/2011/01/27/2011/01/25/2011/01/20/2011/01/18/2011/01/13/2011/01/12/2011/01/06/2011/01/04/2010/12/30/2010/12/28/2010/12/23/2010/12/21/2010/12/17/2010/12/14/2010/12/07/2010/12/02/2010/11/29/2010/11/23/2010/11/18/2010/11/16/2010/11/11/2010/11/09/2010/11/04/2010/10/28/2010/10/26/2010/10/14/2010/09/07/2010/09/02/2010/08/31/2010/08/26/2010/08/23/2010/08/19/2010/08/17/2010/08/12/2010/08/10/2010/08/03/2010/07/29/2010/07/13/2010/07/07/2010/07/02/2010/06/25/2010/06/22/2010/06/17/2010/06/15/2010/06/10/2010/06/08/2010/06/01/2010/05/28/2010/05/26/2010/05/20/2010/05/18/2010/05/13/2010/05/04/2010/04/29/2010/04/22/2010/04/20/2010/04/15/2010/04/13/2010/04/06/2010/04/02/2010/03/30/2010/03/24/2010/03/18/2010/03/03/2010/02/25/2010/02/23/2010/02/18/2010/02/15/2010/02/11/2010/02/09/2010/02/04/2010/02/02/2010/01/28/2010/01/26/2010/01/21/2010/01/19/2009/12/31/2009/12/29/2009/12/17/ezine/"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong></a></strong></p>
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		<title>Fun Mealtimes for Picky Eaters</title>
		<link>http://www.babybites.info/2010/09/14/picky-eater-mealtimes/</link>
		<comments>http://www.babybites.info/2010/09/14/picky-eater-mealtimes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:29:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nonna Joann</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mealtimes with Kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[baby bites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fun with mealtime]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[multi-sensory learning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[picky eater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[whole foods]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.babybites.info/?p=4692</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you have a picky eater, mealtimes can be a nightmare. Know that you’re not alone. A recent survey showed more than 68 percent of registered dietitians, who counsel new parents, frequently receive questions about getting finicky eaters to eat at mealtime. Other surveys have found more than 50 percent of moms say they have [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you have a picky eater, mealtimes can be a nightmare. Know that you’re not alone. A recent survey showed more than 68 percent of registered dietitians, who counsel new parents, frequently receive questions about getting finicky eaters to eat at mealtime. Other surveys have found more than 50 percent of moms say they have a picky eater.</p>
<p>You can transform your picky eater into a healthy eater, if you:</p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Don’t Buck Nature</strong></span><br />
<img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-4696" style="float: right; margin: 8px;" title="Katlyn-eat" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/Katlyn-eat.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="402" />Kids prefer to eat with their hands. This gives them multi-sensory experiences, which they need while learning to enjoy whole foods. Let babies eat with their hands. That is how they discover all the attributes of food.</p>
<p>Incorporate as many finger foods as possible for older toddlers. Finger foods make ideal meals for kids since you can combine a variety of small portions on one plate. Tiny baby peas are fun to pick up from the highchair tray. Grated carrots and other veggies and fruit make interesting first-finger food.</p>
<p>For preschoolers, try partnering baked chicken fingers (stay away from prepackaged fried nuggets) with vitamin-rich green beans and sliced baked sweet potatoes for a nutritious meal that’s easy to eat with your hands.</p>
<p>Kids love to dip. So, incorporate healthy dips: mashed avocados, hummus, and yogurt (sweetened with mashed bananas or peaches) for dipping apples, carrot, celery, and veggie sticks.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><strong>Even babies like Katelyn can feed themselves.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Offer Only Whole Foods</strong></span><br />
Avoid the temptation to feed your baby processed foods. If your baby has never had a chip, French fry, or any fast food, he/she won’t miss them. Of course, avoiding junk foods yourself is important because your baby is watching you.</p>
<p>Moms often tell me that their preschoolers refuse to eat anything, but junk foods. Why is that? If you didn’t eat junk food and they were not in the house, the only food your child will eat will be whole, nutritious foods.</p>
<p>What you eat is what your baby will eat. According to the CDC, U.S, adults consuming vegetables are far short of the recommendation 3 servings a day. The time to begin to eat healthy is now. Children naturally eat whole foods, when you eat them and they are only offered whole foods.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Have Fun</strong></span><br />
Children learn through play. Giving fun, creative names to everyday nutritious foods makes mealtime more fun. According to a 2009 Cornell University study, when kids were offered “X-ray vision carrots” instead of plain carrots, they ate 62 percent more carrots. Come up with silly names for whole foods, such as “cloud fluff” for mashed potatoes or “cheese in the trees” for broccoli florets topped with cheese.</p>
<p>Two adorable creatures incorporated in my books, Baby Betty Bites<sup>®</sup> and Try Rannosaurus<sup>®,</sup> transform dreaded mealtimes into fun times. They teach your child that all food is yummy&#8211;especially the green variety. They bring fun to the table, while challenging your child to eat nutritious foods. When you include Try and Betty in your mealtimes, your child will discover the attributes of healthful foods. Try and Betty always eat nutritious foods and when you include them at the table they affirm the goodness of yummy whole foods.</p>
<p>Try loves to say, “Green food is yummy!” Betty is an encourager, saying things like, “Mangia bene” (eat well) and “Bravo” for a job well done. You can find out more about these two characters in my books, <em>Baby Bites: Transforming a Picky Eater into a Healthy Eater </em>and the children’s storybook, <em>The</em> <em>Forest Feast. </em>
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/about/4/"><strong> (Click here for a synopsis of both books<em>.</em>)</strong></a><em><br />
</em></p>
<p><strong>
<a  href="http://store.valueweb.com/servlet/babybites/StoreFront" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/store.valueweb.com/servlet/babybites/StoreFront');" ><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1958" style="float: left; margin: 8px;" title="Baby Bites" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/Baby-Bites1.jpg" alt="" width="114" height="128" />CLICK HERE</a> </strong><strong>for the Baby Bites Store.</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong>For info about the free Baby Bites Ezine, 
<a  href="../2010/09/07/2010/09/02/2010/08/31/2010/08/26/2010/08/23/2010/08/19/2010/08/17/2010/08/12/2010/08/10/2010/08/03/2010/07/29/2010/07/13/2010/07/07/2010/07/02/2010/06/25/2010/06/22/2010/06/17/2010/06/15/2010/06/10/2010/06/08/2010/06/01/2010/05/28/2010/05/26/2010/05/20/2010/05/18/2010/05/13/2010/05/04/2010/04/29/2010/04/22/2010/04/20/2010/04/15/2010/04/13/2010/04/06/2010/04/02/2010/03/30/2010/03/24/2010/03/18/2010/03/03/2010/02/25/2010/02/23/2010/02/18/2010/02/15/2010/02/11/2010/02/09/2010/02/04/2010/02/02/2010/01/28/2010/01/26/2010/01/21/2010/01/19/2009/12/31/2009/12/29/2009/12/17/ezine/"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong></a></strong></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
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		<title>Raising a Whole Foods Child</title>
		<link>http://www.babybites.info/2010/06/01/raising-whole-foods-child/</link>
		<comments>http://www.babybites.info/2010/06/01/raising-whole-foods-child/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:56:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nonna Joann</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mealtimes with Kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[baby bites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[healthy eating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[picky eater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[whole foods]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.babybites.info/?p=3489</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Step One: Start Early You can avoid having a picky eater! The earlier you start introducing whole foods the easier it will be. When your baby is ready for solid foods, begin with real foods. Introduce squash, carrots, broccoli, avocado, peas, green beans before sweeter fruit like bananas. Never feed your baby processed foods, especially [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-731" style="margin: 8px; float: right;" title="Jovey melon" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/jovey-melon.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="403" /></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Step One:</strong> <strong>Start Early</strong></span><br />
You can avoid having a picky eater! The earlier you start introducing whole foods the easier it will be. When your baby is ready for solid foods, begin with real foods. Introduce squash, carrots, broccoli, avocado, peas, green beans before sweeter fruit like bananas. Never feed your baby processed foods, especially with added sugars. I know it’s funny to see a baby eat their first ice cream or a cupcake, but why? Babies are just as happy to eat whole foods.
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/2009/04/14/baby-food/"><strong> Click Here</strong></a> for “Affordable Healthy Baby Food.”</p>
<p>Toddler snacks should be from whole foods, not from a package. Toddlers eat what you offer them. Avoid chemical and sugar loaded junk foods, even occasionally.  Toddlers experience with food is what you make it. They don’t know to ask for junk foods. Pack healthy snacks for the pool, park and zoo, avoiding the temptation to purchase highly sugared and artificially colored Popsicles and candies.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><strong>Jovey thinks watermelon is as sweet<br />
as any sugared Popsicle.</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Step Two: Ground Zero</strong></span><br />
The battle over whole foods is won or lost in the grocery store. If junk foods are not in your home, whole foods will be eaten.  What do you normally purchase? Is your pantry loaded with processed cookies, crackers, chips and soda? Then that is what your children will eat. Keep healthy foods where your children can easily reach them.  Clean and cut veggies into julienne slices: carrots, bell peppers and celery. Place them on a lower shelf in your refrigerator, where your kids can reach them. Keep washed fruit in a bowl on the table. 
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/2008/01/24/baby-bites%E2%84%A2-grocery-list/"><strong>Click Here</strong></a> for a helpful grocery list. A grocery list will help you keep a well-stocked pantry, so you can implement the next step: Actually Cook.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Step Three:</strong> </span><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Actually Cook</span><br />
</strong>And I don&#8217;t mean heating something in the microwave or opening a box of mac and cheese. Busy moms can still make healthy meals. Having the right equipment is essential for cooking on the go. If you don’t already have a crockpot and a pressure cooker, buy them. You can use the money you save by not eating out and purchasing expensive processed foods at the supermarket. Make double family portions and freeze one for another meal.
<a  href="  http://www.babybites.info/2009/01/23/3-easy-meal-tips/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/  http//www.babybites.info/2009/01/23/3-easy-meal-tips/');" ><strong> Click Here</strong></a> for more tips for quick cooking whole foods. Check out my recipe section, found on the right of this page, under &#8220;Browse Baby Bites Categories.&#8221; You&#8217;ll find a lot of kid-friendly recipes.</p>
<p><strong><strong>
<a  href="http://store.valueweb.com/servlet/babybites/StoreFront" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/store.valueweb.com/servlet/babybites/StoreFront');" ><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1958" style="margin: 8px; float: left;" title="Baby Bites" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/Baby-Bites1.jpg" alt="" width="114" height="128" />CLICK HERE</a></strong>
<a  href="http://store.valueweb.com/servlet/babybites/StoreFront" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/store.valueweb.com/servlet/babybites/StoreFront');" > </a>for ordering information for <em>Baby Bites: Transforming a Picky Eater into a Healthy Eater</em> and <em>The Forest Feast: Baby Bites Mealtime Adventures.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em> </em>For info about the free Baby Bites Ezine, 
<a  href="../2010/05/28/2010/05/26/2010/05/20/2010/05/18/2010/05/13/2010/05/04/2010/04/29/2010/04/22/2010/04/20/2010/04/15/2010/04/13/2010/04/06/2010/04/02/2010/03/30/2010/03/24/2010/03/18/2010/03/03/2010/02/25/2010/02/23/2010/02/18/2010/02/15/2010/02/11/2010/02/09/2010/02/04/2010/02/02/2010/01/28/2010/01/26/2010/01/21/2010/01/19/2009/12/31/2009/12/29/2009/12/17/ezine/"><strong>CLICK HERE.</strong></a></strong></p>
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		<title>Reclaiming Dinner</title>
		<link>http://www.babybites.info/2010/03/16/reclaiming-dinner/</link>
		<comments>http://www.babybites.info/2010/03/16/reclaiming-dinner/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:40:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nonna Joann</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mealtimes with Kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[baby bites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family dinner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[picky eater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reclaim dinner]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.babybites.info/?p=2290</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the primary functions of the family is to produce and reproduce persons—biologically, socially and spiritually. A family is the most basic social unit. The family is the smallest form of government. It’s where children learn to be good citizens. Our families are splintered because we no longer do things together as a family. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-large wp-image-2305" style="margin: 8px; float: right;" title="DSC03836" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/DSC03836-625x1024.jpg" alt="DSC03836" width="300" height="492" />One of the primary functions of the family is to produce and reproduce persons—biologically, socially and spiritually. A family is the most basic social unit. The family is the smallest form of government. It’s where children learn to be good citizens.</p>
<p>Our families are splintered because we no longer do things together as a family. Watching TV in the same room doesn’t count. In fact, we don’t do that anymore, because kids have TVs in their bedrooms.</p>
<p>We no longer even eat together. It&#8217;s time, friends, to reclaim the family dinner. Yes, there’s a million reasons why it’s difficult to get dinner on the table. More reasons why we can’t all eat together. In fact, only half of American families eat dinner together. A third of families eat meals in shifts. In four out of ten homes the TV is blaring. As shocking as that is, in four percent of households, there’s a computer whiling away beside the dinner plate!</p>
<p>A recent survey found, 51 percent of families reported eating fast food as a family meal one to two times a week. Seven percent said they had fast food for dinner three to four times a week. We all have to eat. We learn how to be a family during dinner. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually we are nurtured when we share family meals. Every day is a family celebration when you eat dinner together.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><strong>Ally helps prepare dinner.<br />
(You can make this poofy chef&#8217;s hat,
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/2009/06/18/poofy-kids-chef-hat/"> Click Here</a>.)</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We are nurtured physically when we eat real, whole foods. We are nurtured emotionally, when we connect with family members. We are nurtured spiritually, when we thank God for our blessings.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Family Dinner is as Simple as 1-2-3</strong></span></p>
<ol> <span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>1. Make The Time</strong></span><br />
Not that long ago, families would actually linger over dinner. It used to be called the “dinner hour.” Now it’s more like 15 minutes. Take the time to enjoy the food that was prepared (not purchased at a fast food outlet). Families would know what their kids were doing, because they actually talked to them during dinner.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>2. Just Say No</strong></span><br />
It just takes practice saying “no” to outside noise during the dinnertime. Say “no” to the TV, the telephone (cell phones, too), the computer and activities conflicting with the dinner hour.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>3. Everyone Pitches In</strong></span><br />
Everyone helps with food preparation, table setting and cleanup. One person isn’t doing all the work. The whole family can be in the kitchen together, one person setting the table, someone else peeling potatoes, another making a salad, and everyone can help clean up afterward. Not only does this divide the workload, it’s also a good opportunity for communication and teaching children how to cook. Another bonus, picky eaters, who have participated in the making of a meal, are more likely to eat it!</ol>
<p><strong><strong>
<a  href="http://store.valueweb.com/servlet/babybites/StoreFront" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/store.valueweb.com/servlet/babybites/StoreFront');" ><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1958" style="margin: 8px; float: left;" title="Baby Bites" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/Baby-Bites1.jpg" alt="Baby Bites" width="114" height="128" />CLICK HERE</a></strong>
<a  href="http://store.valueweb.com/servlet/babybites/StoreFront" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/store.valueweb.com/servlet/babybites/StoreFront');" > </a>for ordering information for <em>Baby Bites: Transforming a Picky Eater into a Healthy Eater</em> and <em>The Forest Feast: Baby Bites Mealtime Adventures.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em> </em>For info about the free Baby Bites Ezine, 
<a  href="../2010/03/11/2010/03/09/2010/03/04/2010/03/03/2010/02/25/2010/02/23/2010/02/18/2010/02/15/2010/02/11/2010/02/09/2010/02/04/2010/02/02/2010/01/28/2010/01/26/2010/01/21/2010/01/19/2009/12/31/2009/12/29/2009/12/17/ezine/"><strong>CLICK HERE.</strong></a></strong></p>
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		<title>Babies Need Whole Food, Too</title>
		<link>http://www.babybites.info/2010/01/19/babies-whole-food/</link>
		<comments>http://www.babybites.info/2010/01/19/babies-whole-food/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:28:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nonna Joann</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mealtimes with Kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[baby bites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[baby food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[homemade baby food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[picky eater]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.babybites.info/?p=1219</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Baby food is whole food, pureed. That’s it. Processed baby food can be expensive. It’s certainly not essential to purchase baby food in tiny glass jars. Jars of baby food found on grocer shelves are convenient when you’re out and about, but I never relied on them. I always made my own baby food. Homemade [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1277" style="margin: 8px; float: right;" title="Katelyn-spoon" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/Katelyn-spoon-300x299.jpg" alt="Katelyn-spoon" width="350" height="349" />Baby food is whole food, pureed. That’s it. Processed baby food can be expensive. It’s certainly not essential to purchase baby food in tiny glass jars. Jars of baby food found on grocer shelves are convenient when you’re out and about, but I never relied on them. I always made my own baby food.</p>
<p>Homemade baby food can be made from the food you feed your family, if you cook with whole foods. You’ll want to use fresh organic produce. Use a blender or a baby food grinder to pureed the food to the desired consistency. Some soft foods like cooked yams, peas, or bananas can be mashed with a fork.<strong><br />
</strong></p>
<p>Baby food grinders are perfect for single servings. If you want to stock up, use a blender. You may have to add some liquid.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><strong>Katelyn is hungry&#8230;YUMMY</strong></p>
<p>Then freeze in ice cube trays. After the food is frozen, remove and store in plastic freezer bags. A serving can be popped out of the ice cube tray or the plastic bag and defrosted. Refrigerate leftovers that you will use in a day or two. Only dish out the amount of food you think your baby will eat at one feeding. You&#8217;ll need to toss leftovers which you dipped the baby spoon. Your baby&#8217;s saliva will get into the mixture and make it easy for bacteria to grow in the food.</p>
<p><strong> </strong>NEVER sweeten your baby&#8217;s food. Babies don&#8217;t need any sugar. Never use honey or corn sweetener, which can cause botulism (a potentially fatal form of food poisoning) for babies under 12 months. Serve the food no warmer than body temperature. I don’t recommend heating any food in a microwave, but if you use one be sure that baby food doesn’t contain hot spots, that’s areas of the food that are much hotter than others. Always stir microwaved food well and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Preparing Baby Food</strong></span><br />
<img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-857" style="margin: 8px; float: left;" title="Baby Food Griinder" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/munchkin-food-grinder.JPG" alt="Baby Food Griinder" width="250" height="321" />After washing, cook vegetables and fruits (like apples and prunes which need to be softened). Bake, boil, or steam the produce until it&#8217;s soft. If you boil the food, use as little liquid as possible and add some of the leftover liquid when mashing the food. Peel and pit the produce if necessary and strain out any seeds. Some fruits and vegetables don&#8217;t require any liquid. Simply mash and serve. For others, you may want to add a little liquid (breast milk, formula, or cooking water) as you puree or grind to get the consistency you want. As your baby adapts to solid foods, you can add less liquid.</p>
<p>Grains (like quinoa or millet) and meats (like beef and chicken) can also be pureed or ground in a food mill. Obviously, you’ll cook grains and meats first.</p>
<p>To prepare meat and poultry, remove the skin and trim the fat before cooking. Then puree the cooked meat in a blender or grind it up in a food mill with a little liquid. For older babies, simply chop the meat into very small pieces. Soups and stews, for example, can be processed and fed to your baby. The same goes for most healthy foods your family might eat. Pack empty baby food jars with extra so you&#8217;ll have a meal for the next day.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Finger Foods</strong></span><br />
Do you know the finger food which is very often the first offered to babies? It&#8217;s a French fry&#8230;
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/2008/08/02/trans-fat-2/">loaded with transfat and often MSG</a>. Give your baby whole-food, finger foods. For older babies, you can grate produce like apples, carrots and zucchini. They love to pick the food up with their fingers. Baby peas also make a wonderful finger food. Cut up tiny pieces of soft avocado, banana, or a stone fruit like a peach. Whole grains make fabulous finger foods.</p>
<p><strong><strong>
<a  href="http://store.valueweb.com/servlet/babybites/StoreFront" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/store.valueweb.com/servlet/babybites/StoreFront');" ><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1111" style="margin: 8px; float: left;" title="Baby Bites" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/Baby-Bites.jpg" alt="Baby Bites" width="114" height="128" />CLICK HERE</a></strong>
<a  href="http://store.valueweb.com/servlet/babybites/StoreFront" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/store.valueweb.com/servlet/babybites/StoreFront');" > </a>for ordering information for <em>Baby Bites: Transforming a Picky Eater into a Healthy Eater</em> and <em>The Forest Feast: Baby Bites Mealtime Adventures.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em> </em>For info about the free Baby Bites Ezine, 
<a  href="../2009/12/31/2009/12/29/2009/12/17/ezine/"><strong>CLICK HERE.</strong></a></strong></p>
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		<title>Eat Your Colors</title>
		<link>http://www.babybites.info/2009/04/21/eat-colors/</link>
		<comments>http://www.babybites.info/2009/04/21/eat-colors/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:38:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nonna Joann</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mealtimes with Kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[baby bites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eat your colors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fruit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[photronutrients]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[picky eater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[toddler picky eater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vegetables]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[whole foods]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.babybites.info/2009/04/21/eat-colors/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s not uncommon for picky eaters refuse to eat most vegetables. Often when parents claim they have a picky eater, what they are saying is that their child won&#8217;t eat vegetables. Teaching children how to enjoy veggies is vital for good health. Baby Bites: Transforming a Picky Eater into a Healthy Eater is about transformation. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img vspace="4" align="right" width="300" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/kalee.jpg" hspace="4" alt="kalee.jpg" height="386" style="margin: 4px; width: 300px; height: 386px" />It&#8217;s not uncommon for picky eaters refuse to eat most vegetables. Often when parents claim they have a picky eater, what they are saying is that their child won&#8217;t eat vegetables. Teaching children how to enjoy veggies is vital for good health. <em>
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/about/">Baby Bites: Transforming a Picky Eater into a Healthy Eater</a></em> is about transformation. It&#8217;s possible to change food preferences.</p>
<p>Even if you don&#8217;t have a picky eater, kids don&#8217;t get the recommended five fruit and veggies a day. <strong>The average number of veggies a child eats each day is one, while 33 percent of kids don&#8217;t eat any.</strong> You know what kids are eating&#8230;junk foods. That&#8217;s usually simple carbohydrates, quickly filling up a tiny tummy with little or no health benefits.</p>
<p>Kids&#8217; taste buds have become accustom to sugary and salty foods. Junk foods include most fast foods like hot dogs, pizza, French fries and fried chicken, soda, boxed macaroni and cheese. The snacks we regularly offer our kids such as chips, cookies, and crackers are also lacking in the nutrition department.</p>
<p align="right"><strong>Kaylee is shocked that her favorite rainbow foods are good for you, too.</strong></p>
<p>When beginning the Baby Bite steps, you&#8217;ll want to eliminate junk foods. In just a short time, your child will begin to appreciate new tastes. The focus should then shift to nutrient-dense foods. These are whole foods packing a lot of nutrition into a few bites. Each calorie in a nutrient-dense food is packed with vitamins, minerals, and essential amino and fatty acids.</p>
<p>When you&#8217;re incorporating new vegetables into your child&#8217;s diet, which ones are most healthful? A quick rule of thumb for the most beneficial vegetables and fruit is the produce with the deeper colors. Phytonutrients are contained in the plants pigment. They are the vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, flavonoids, isoflovens, phytoestrogens, and pholyphenols found in food. Phytonutrients protect the body and fight disease, they promote health!</p>
<p>Organic vegetables and fruit have not been sprayed with pesticides, other chemical sprays, or contaminated in other ways, such as from the water, soil, or industrial treatments. In order for the plant to naturally survive, it must fight off insects and other invaders with its own resources. To do this it produces more phytonutrients, making the plant (and you) stronger. Organic fruit and vegetables have been found to have more antioxidants, vitamin C, and trace elements.</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="color: #0000ff">Go</span> <span style="color: #ff0000">for</span> <span style="color: #993366">the</span> <span style="color: #008000">Rainbow</span></span></span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #800080">When you &#8220;eat your colors&#8221; you will be packing more nutrition into each bite.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="color: #ff0000">Red</span></span></span><span style="color: #ff0000">—</span></strong><span style="color: #ff0000">Tomatoes, radishes, red peppers, cherries, strawberries, watermelon and pink grapefruit. The color red indicates it contains powerful antioxidants such as lycopene, plus beta-carotene.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff9900"><strong><span style="color: #ff9900"><span style="font-size: 14pt">Orange and Yellow</span></span>—</strong>Sweet potatoes, corn, pumpkins and other squash, carrots, apricots and peaches, and yellow peppers. Orange and deep yellow carotenoids protect plants from sun damage. Carotenoids, which turn into vitamin A, and vitamin C.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #339966"><strong><span style="color: #008000"><span style="font-size: 14pt">Green</span></span>—</strong>Kale, asparagus, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, avocado, bell peppers, zucchini, and romaine lettuce. Green foods are plentiful in fiber and minerals including calcium. They are in high antioxidants, thanks to abundant chlorophyll. They are especially rich in phytonutrients.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #3366ff"><strong><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="font-size: 14pt">Blue/Violet/Purple</span></span>—</strong>Blueberries, blackberries, beets, plums, purple cabbage, eggplants, and grapes indicate fiber and anticancer qualities, thanks to the pigment anthocyanin. Grapes contain bioflavonoids or betalains powerful antioxidants. Beets and prickly pear contain the pigment betacyanin a powerhouse nutrient.</span></p>
<p><strong>For info about the free Baby Bites Ezine,</strong> 
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/ezine/"><strong>Click Here.</strong></a></p>
<p><strong>Listen to today&#8217;s podcast, </strong>
<a  href="http://nonna.libsyn.com/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/external/nonna.libsyn.com/');" ><strong>Click Here</strong></a><strong>.</strong><strong><strong><strong>For a synopsis of </strong><em>Baby Bites: Transforming a Picky Eater into a Healthy Eater</em><strong>, </strong>
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<p></strong></p>
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		<title>Kid Food</title>
		<link>http://www.babybites.info/2009/04/02/kid-food/</link>
		<comments>http://www.babybites.info/2009/04/02/kid-food/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:00:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nonna Joann</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mealtimes with Kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[baby bites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[junk foon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kid food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nutrition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[picky eater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[toddler picky eater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trans fat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[whole food]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.babybites.info/2009/04/02/kid-food/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Kid Foods Are Fake Foods Kid food looks and tastes like food; offering little or absolutely no nutrition whatsoever. Real food is a substance eaten for nourishment. You can be assured of a picky eater, by regularly purchasing kid foods, training little taste buds to prefer fake foods. If you want to know what kid food [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Kid Foods Are Fake Foods</strong></span></p>
<p><img style="margin: 4px; width: 300px; height: 346px;" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/joshs-red-tongue.JPG" alt="joshs-red-tongue.JPG" hspace="4" vspace="4" width="300" height="346" align="left" />Kid food looks and tastes like food; offering little or absolutely no nutrition whatsoever. Real food is a substance eaten for nourishment. You can be assured of a picky eater, by regularly purchasing kid foods, training little taste buds to prefer fake foods.</p>
<p>If you want to know what kid food is, just ask for a child&#8217;s menu at any restaurant. Without a doubt you&#8217;ll see hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries, fried chicken, pizza, spaghetti, and macaroni and cheese on the menu. You can add chips, children&#8217;s cereal, soda, and cookies and other treats to the list.</p>
<p>Now it&#8217;s true that chicken, beef, tomato sauce, and cheese have nutritional value&#8230;if you cook them at home using whole foods. When your child eats out, most of the time the nutrition is sadly lacking.</p>
<p><strong>Joshy&#8217;s mouth and tongue are red after eating a piece of birthday cake. Icing is made with sugar, trans fat, and artificial food coloring.</strong></p>
<p>Today, we&#8217;ll talk about just three common ingredients found in &#8220;kid food,&#8221; saving food artificial colorings, nitrates, and other additives for another day.</p>
<p>First, there&#8217;s white flour, which came from the staff of life or the foundation of good nutrition, but now offers little in the way of nourishment. Whole grain flour is transformed into empty calories, when the bran is removed to make white flour. Whole grains include all three parts of the grain kernel: the bran, which is the outer layer or the fiber, the endosperm containing the complex carbohydrates, and the germ containing B and E vitamins.</p>
<p>White flour has been stripped of its nutrients, then, adding insult to injury, most times it&#8217;s bleached. (White flour is in most hamburger and hot dog buns, white bread, white pasta, white pizza crust, and of course most bakery products, including cookies, donuts, and cake.)</p>
<p>Fake foods offer fullness, without providing any nutrients. Fat gives us a full feeling. Altered fats are a regular addition to processed foods, because they&#8217;re cheap and add shelf life to products. Trans fat can&#8217;t be metabolized in the human body. In fact, trans fat has a half life of 51 days. Trans fat may be the worst, but it&#8217;s not alone. We have a new altered fat, interesterifed fats are like trans fats. They raise the blood levels of the &#8220;bad&#8221; LDL cholesterol, at the same time, they lower the &#8220;good&#8221; HDL cholesterol levels. According to the January 2007 journal <em>Nutrition &amp; Metabolism</em><strong>, </strong>interesterified fats not only negatively affect the cholesterol levels, but also negatively affect blood sugar levels! (Altered fats can be found in most bakery items: cookies, crackers, cakes, donuts, pies, pizza crust, and chips.)</p>
<p>Fake foods tease your taste buds with sweetness, but rob you of the enjoyment of other flavors. Today, we ingest nearly 150 pounds of sugar a year, that&#8217;s 2½ lbs a week! Sugar is seductive as it may take years before it makes you overweight, ruins your pancreas, your adrenal glands, and throws your endocrine system out of whack. Although, it will suppress your immune system up to five hours after eating something with sugar in it. Sugar is almost always included in processed foods. (Sugar is in everything from soup to nuts! It&#8217;s in cereals, ketchup, lunch-meat, soda pop, kids&#8217; drinks, all bakery products and desserts. If it&#8217;s processed it most likely has added sugars.)</p>
<p><strong>
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/2009/03/31/fake-food/"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1958" style="float: left; margin: 8px;" title="Baby Bites" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/Baby-Bites1.jpg" alt="" width="114" height="128" />Click Here</a> for more on Fake Foods.<br />
For info about the free Baby Bites Ezine, </strong>
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/ezine/"><strong>Click Here.</strong></a><strong><br />
<strong>For a synopsis of </strong><em>Baby Bites: Transforming a Picky Eater into a Healthy Eater</em><strong>, </strong></strong>
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/about/4/"><strong>Click Here.</strong></a></p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Fake Food</title>
		<link>http://www.babybites.info/2009/03/31/fake-food/</link>
		<comments>http://www.babybites.info/2009/03/31/fake-food/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2009 07:00:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nonna Joann</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mealtimes with Kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[artificial ingredients]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[baby bites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fake food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nourishment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[picky eater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[toddler picky eater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[whole foods]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.babybites.info/2009/03/31/fake-food/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In one year, each American eats just over a ton of food. That&#8217;s approximately 2,175 pounds a year or almost 6 pounds of food a day. But what is are we eating? Wikipedia says, &#8220;Food is any substance, usually composed of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water, that can be eaten or drunk by an animal [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img style="margin: 4px; width: 275px; height: 413px;" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/harper.jpg" alt="harper.jpg" hspace="4" vspace="4" width="275" height="413" align="right" />In one year, each American eats just over a ton of food. That&#8217;s approximately 2,175 pounds a year or almost 6 pounds of food a day. But what is are we eating?</p>
<p>Wikipedia says, &#8220;Food is <em>any</em> substance, usually composed of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water, that can be eaten or drunk by an animal or human for nutrition or <em>pleasure</em>.&#8221; (Italics added.)</p>
<p>Webster says, &#8220;Food is any substance taken in and assimilated by a plant or animal to enable it to live and grow&#8230;any thing that nourishes.&#8221;</p>
<p>Notice the difference between Wikipedia and Webster. Wikipedia reflects the change in our culture, not a change in our biology. Pleasure has always been a component of food, but this is the first time in history that food can be eaten entirely for pleasure, without any nourishment. Not only can some food be ingested without it supporting life and growth, but we regularly eat food products containing harmful artificial ingredients.</p>
<p>A typical grocery store carries 40,000 products. Most of it is highly processed, wiping out most of the nutrients, transforming it to the status of &#8220;fake food.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Harper may be tiny, but she knows the difference between fake and real food.<br />
</strong></p>
<p>Fake food products are produced or manufactured, always taste the same, are convenient, have a long shelf life, and they usually contain artificial flavors and additives. Three thousand chemicals are added to our food supply and food is genetically modified and irradiated. Each year people ingest 135 pounds of artificial ingredients. Ten pounds of that is food coloring. Yet, people are genetically designed to thrive on a naturally derived diet.</p>
<p><strong>Want to read more? </strong>
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/2009/04/02/kid-food/"><strong>Click Here</strong></a><strong> for my &#8220;Kid Food&#8221; blog.</strong></p>
<p><strong><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1958" style="float: left; margin: 8px;" title="Baby Bites" src="http://www.babybites.info/wp-content/uploads/Baby-Bites1.jpg" alt="" width="114" height="128" />For info about the free Baby Bites Ezine, </strong>
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/ezine/"><strong>Click Here.</strong></a><strong><br />
For a synopsis of <em>Baby Bites: Transforming a Picky Eater into a Healthy Eater</em>, </strong>
<a  href="http://www.babybites.info/about/4/"><strong>Click Here.</strong></a></p>
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