Welcome to my new blog series, Mom to Mom, where I’ll rehash the ups and down’s of life [weekly], pretending that you are reading my post while enjoying a cup of coffee—or better yet, a glass of wine. Get ready to laugh, learn, and share, in a judgment free zone!
Joey loves carbs. Fried, baked, toasted, or as-is, this kid doesn’t discriminate. Oh and let’s not forget about fruit—that’s a carbohydrate too! If he’s given a quesadilla filled with cheese, veggies, and meat, there’s one thing that doesn’t hit the floor: the tortilla. Now I know most Italian’s love their carbs, and he’s a little pasta man himself, but what’s with this carb obsession?! He was loving vegetable and meat purees before finger foods- what’s changed?
Even though I feel like I’m raising a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (remember how they lived off of pizza?!), Joey’s eating habits really do make sense: carb-rich foods like bread and tortillas are easy for young kids to like. They are energy-rich and don’t overwhelm the taste buds. Their texture is also very consistent — which is why some kids only eat the bread when faced with a new or different meal.
Additionally, hunger drives the “carb” desire, as it gets the blood sugar to normalize quickly. If you’re not on time with meals and snacks, you may see that your child goes for the carbs first–it relieves hunger quickly & gets the blood sugar up–allowing your child to keep moving.
Do I worry about his preference for carbs? Some days, yes. I want him to enjoy the nutrients and taste that accompany all of the food groups. Keep in mind he’s growing according to normal growth charts and not refusing to eat all together. As parents we have to be able to see the process of learning about foods unfold in front of us. I still offer a variety of foods at each meal and snack. I see that as my responsibility. It’s then Joey’s choice whether or not he wants to eat the healthy buffet, and how much he wants to eat of it. Yes, that’s easier said that done most days!!!
And if there is one thing I’ve learned about feeding young kids — not interfering with their eating is very, very hard. Joey and I talk about eating (and trying) a variety of food at non-mealtimes (play kitchens and books are the best for this). And I engage him in the process of food by having him watch me cook—soon enough he’ll help me pick out foods at the grocery store. My hope is that even though he’s not eating the variety of food I would like, he will one day have positive outlook on a variety of food — a precursor to actually eating that way.
So tell me, am I the only one? Any other carb kids out there?
This post continues—- read on if you’d like to learn more about which carbohydrates are best for your little one (and parents too!).
There are 2 types of carbohydrates:
- Simple carbohydrates(or simple sugars): these include fructose, glucose, and lactose, which are found in fruit and dairy
- Complex carbohydrates(or starches, fiber-rich foods): found in foods such as starchy vegetables, grains, rice, and whole grain breads and cereals
So how, exactly, does the body process carbs and sugar? All carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars, which are absorbed into the bloodstream. As the sugar level rises, the pancreas releases the hormone insulin, which is needed to move sugar from the blood into the cells, where the sugar can be used as energy. The carbs in some foods (mostly those that contain simple sugars and highly refined grains, such as white flour and white rice) are easily broken down and cause blood sugar levels to rise quickly. Complex carbs (found in whole grains, those higher in fiber), on the other hand, are broken down more slowly, allowing blood sugar to rise more gradually and giving you the feeling of fullness, longer.
Despite the recent craze to cut carbs, the bottom line is that not all foods containing carbohydrates are bad for kids, whether they’re complex (as in whole grains) or simple (such as those found in fruits). If carbs were such a no-no, we’d have a huge problem since most foods contain them.
Still, some carbohydrate-dense foods are healthier than others. Healthy sources of carbohydrates include:
- whole-grain cereals
- brown rice
- whole-grain breads
- fruits
- vegetables
- low-fat dairy
Nutrition Takeaway? Don’t fret when it comes to carbs. We all need them for energy— the key is to choose carbs wisely!
You’re not the only one. My grandparents were always concerned about my love for carbs but my parents embraced what I WOULD eat and made sure I had enough of those things…and vitamins. I’m finding now that it’s easier to drink V8 than to eat actual fruits and veggies, (I buy fresh produce and it ends up rotting) but maybe he’ll grow out of his selective habits.
Same here!! My eating habits ebbed and flowed as a child and still do as an adult!! Some days I love celery, other days I’d rather toss it!
Great post Katie! Its so true that kids, especially little ones, tend to only want carbs, carbs and more carbs – good thing they are great sources of energy 🙂 I may have to try the sweet potato and pumpkin quesadilla too!
We are putting everything in a tortilla lately lol! Ted joked we should start a toddler taco truck 😉
It’s hard not to worry when they are in these finicky stages, isn’t it? I think you’re totally on the right track. Keep giving options. Try to sneak it in to things they are eating anyway. I chuckle (silently of course) when my daughter gobbles up broccoli because I mixed it up in a cheesy chicken casserole).
My daughter used to eat anything I put in front of her. Sadly, that has changed and she will now only eat certain foods. I still offer her a variety and she’ll occasionally surprise me with what she chooses to eat.
You are doing the right thing by offering variety!!
My daughter has been going through this too! It’s frustrating, but like everything else it will pass. You can purée just about any veg to add as a sauce on pasta or rice!
Yes!! I have also considered veggie based smoothies since he’ll slurp those down.
Great tips here! My daughter is such a picky eater, she lives on pretzels and roasted peanuts! However she has just started eating eggs (egg white only though.. cooked in coconut oil.. she wont eat it when it has the yolk!! ha!) So I have been trying to make her eggs often since I feel like its the only really protein she is getting!
I’ve tried eggs with Joey and if they are slathered with cheese he will eat. These kids! Although I’m sure our parents could add a few comments about us too 🙂
We’re in survival mode here — as my toddler is very picky and changes his mind day to day of what he will eat. Great ideas (love the sweet potato gnocchi and different quesadillas). No joke — we got him to eat soft tacos with chicken at Chipolte by showing him the “Tiny Hamsters Eating Tiny Burritos” video on YouTube. He’s not so carb specific as your child, but we are just trying to keep him healthy.
LOL we do whatever it takes, right?! Your solution = perfect!
My son is in this phase now. I feel lucky that he will still eat some forms of protein (grilled chicken, mostly), and he still loves milk. Otherwise, it’s fruit, toast, potatoes, etc. Toddlers!
Yep some days I think we should own a dairy cow judging by the amount of milk that gets drank in our house!!!
Feeding toddlers is like an Olympic sport. Very challenging, time consuming and tedious. My boys are doing slightly better but there still fairly limited in things they like, and yes, it’s mostly carbs.
Pasta, any time of day he will eat it all up. That’s about the only carb he will really eat. He is fruit lover. Which I am not complaining about at all. I hope he doesn’t grow out of it.
I’ve noticed that most of the posts are in regards to toddlers. However, I’ve been fighting this battle for nearly 15 years, and still haven’t won. My son is still picky. He’s went for days in defiance of the meals I prepare. No, I’m not a bad cook. People and my other children love the food I prepare. All this young man wants is Pizza (cheese and pepperoni only), plain cheese burgers, hot dogs with cheese, chips….just junk! I worry so much. I had diabetes while I carried him and know this increases his risks as he gets older. He complains about texture, tastes, and smell of everything. Any advice other then these suggestions because I’ve tried them all repeatedly for 15 yrs?
Great post Katie! Thank you so much for doing the research and helping parents such reliable source of information. This post is a must read for parents.
Is your son still picky? My stepson was like that for the first 16 years of his life as well. He finally just started trying different foods at 16 and now is the most adventurous eater in the family (he’s 21 now). There was really nothing that we did that helped except to constantly offer different foods and model eating a variety of foods.