My secret?…hidden ingredients! It is a commonly used technique, and one that I have practiced for years with success. There are some who feel that food should not be hidden—that it should be clearly visible to allow children see, taste, and learn about their food. Although I agree to that point, I also I embrace the idea of “What they don’t know won’t hurt them!” when it comes to maximizing the nutritional value of kids’ meals. It could take years for a child to acquire a taste for a particular food, if at all. Sneaking healthy ingredients into recipes allows children to benefit from the nutrients today.
Children in my care regularly eat vegetables, fish, and beans. Many recipes are designed to allow the essence of the secret ingredients to come through without being pronounced and overpowering for sensitive little taste buds. It might take a little more effort, but the results are well worth it! A few bites of spinach here, some beans there amount to an appreciable quantity when consumed on a daily basis.
If you are going to follow this blog, you will discover that there are two ingredients I use repeatedly; Stevia and ground flaxseed. Stevia, a plant, is associated with a number of health benefits and has been used as a sweetener in certain cultures for centuries. It is much sweeter than table sugar, therefore, less of it is needed to replace sugar. Ground flaxseed contains fiber, lignans (antioxidants), and high levels of plant based Omega-3s. In my opinion, a little bit of flaxseed in our diet makes us all a little bit healthier!
I hope you try these recipes and find that they alleviate your struggle with your own finicky eater. Enjoy!
