One of my most important messages is to show that it is possible to eat the same food for the whole family, right from the child's food introduction. That it is possible to make good food that is suitable for all ages.
We live in a society where "baby food" is often perceived as a special type of food that adults can't eat. I also find that there are a lot of perceptions that children can't eat a lot of things that are actually great for them to eat.
The National Food Administration has developed a list of foods that children under 1 year old should not eat. It includes green leafy vegetables and beetroot juice, honey, green potatoes, unpasteurised milk, rice cakes and rice drinks, salt, sugar and anise and fennel teas. These should of course be avoided, but otherwise, just go for it! Spice things up and don't be afraid to try all sorts of foods, especially during the first year when acceptance in children is often high.
The great thing about finger foods is that it makes it easy for the whole family to eat the same food. With some small modifications, even a 6-month-old can eat and taste the family's food.
Here are some benefits of eating the same foods as your children early on:
- It's easy and fun! You don't have to stand around cooking different dishes.
- The child can imitate you when you eat and learn by eating the same food themselves.
- The child gets to try many different tastes and textures early on.
- The child gets used to many different appearances of food early on.
This may feel like a big challenge to achieve at first, but the more you get into it the easier it becomes. Then you don't always have to eat the same food or together all the time, it's more about "the bigger picture". Sometimes you shouldn't beat yourself up about this, for example canned food can be a good alternative.
And with extra picky children, it can sometimes be difficult, but then maybe some element of the family's food can at least find a place on the child's plate alongside the safe food.
/Elin Oresten
Licensed Nutritionist
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