Undercover Cooking — Bad for Kids’ Health?
Sneaky nutrition, stealth health — no matter what you call it, the undercover cooking trend for children is getting a lot of buzz. But is adding purple paste and green goo to brownies and burgers really for the best?
Although it’s tempting to throw carrots in the blender and hide them in mac and cheese, parents should be wary: disguising vegetables could have long-term effects on a child’s health.
What your child eats now forms habits she will keep for the rest of her life. Hiding vegetables won’t help her learn what a balanced meal looks like. Instead, work together as a family to make vegetables an essential part of your meals.
“Don’t get discouraged if your children grimace the first time they try something new,” said Stephen Daniels, MD, PhD, Pediatrician-in-Chief at The Children’s Hospital and Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. “A grimace does not mean a child doesn’t like a particular food; it is just new to him and that is his reaction. Kids need to try food over and over — maybe 10, 12 or even 15 times — before they know if they like it.”
Some tips for boosting veggie intake include:
- Trying the rejected foods again every five to six months
- Setting a good example by eating your vegetables
- Making fun snacks with baby carrots, baby corn, cherry tomatoes and other finger-friendly veggies
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s weight or body mass index, ask your pediatrician or family doctor how The Children’s Hospital can help.
