This guest blog entry from NYC Dads Groups’ food connoisseur, Jeff G, is a repost from our group message board. Perhaps, we can add some commentary to make this more meaningful…
Daily I struggle to provide the recommended daily cornucopia of required nutrients for my son (16 months old) only to have even the most inspired efforts whittled down to yogurt and cheerios, but once in a while serendipity intervenes and he elects a food I had mindlessly prepared for the adults. I’ve had a few of these moments now and it helps with the struggle, but toddler minds have the ebb and flow of the sea so what’s good one day is an insult the next. So it occurred to me to start not so much a discussion but a list of one liners, faves revealed for everyone to try. I’ll start by sharing a couple here:
- Plain boiled chickpeas-One by one, ate 20+! I tried many ways, plain rules the day. Gain: Serious protein
- Whole roasted potatoes-Picked one up and ate it like an apple! golf ball size work well. Gain: Minerals, Vit. C, Calcium
- Steamed whole green beans- Could be the french fry shape? Gain: Vit. A,C, Calcium, Iron, Fiber
Please add your input.
This is great Jeff…food and meal time is a big deal for Grace and me too…
Cheese, Cheese, Cheese…Havarti, Feta, Jack Gain: Protein, Calcium
Fruits of all kind ( chilled ): Pine apple, kiwi, cantaloupe, pear, grapes, strawberries, blueberry, banana, mango, limes Gain: C, A, potassium, more good stuff, improves defense against colds, hydration
Steamed carrots: Eaten in circular motion Gain: A, C, Calcium, Iron, nose wiggling ability
Whole Wheat pizza: What ever Daddy’s eatin’ is what she wants… Gain: Fiber, Whole grain, Calcium, Protein, Carbs, tomoto sauce benefits too…
Bacon Gain: Bacon
I will try the chick pea success you passed on that should be fantastic. I will let you know.
Good Eatin’,
Patrick and Grace
Here’s a few (though I don’t know all the nutrients involved):
Pan-fried (just a little oil) tofu with tomato sauce added right at the end
Black beans mashed with carrots, celery, onions
Lentil soup