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Article Courtesy of The Poop

I’m not ready to get all Sneaky Chef on my son, but I do now understand why a parent or caregiver would resort to such tactics. You know, “let’s put some blueberry or spinach puree in … Little Junior will never know, and it’ll be just so much better for him.” Before I was a parent, I cautiously blogged that I thought the Sneaky Chef’s tactics were gross. Thankfully, I acknowledged that it’s easy to criticize when one is not a parent.

It’s not going to happen …

At home, my son appears to only want to eat anything that is a carb/bread, almond butter, refried beans (no tortillas, how odd), apple sauce, yogurt, and fruit or vegetable purees. He ate a chicken drumstick at a social gathering in a move that seemed more like showing off than anything else. Maybe we overreacted on that one, since he’s rarely reached for chicken ever since. Such a limited menu makes me nervous and embarrassed; I work in the food industry and feel my son’s palate should be more evolved by now. I guess I dream of the day when he will eat the same things my husband and I do. We know that we may have to offer him, say, steamed carrots, at least 16 1/2 times before he may partake. Yes, I’m proud that he’s tried duck fat already, but no, I don’t think he eats the most balanced meals when he’s at home.

I am glad to know I am not alone in this shame-slash-slight-embarrassment. Other parents I have talked to — either friends or fellow day care parents — admit that their child or children seem to eat healthy … elsewhere. Whenever I look at the menu from the day care, I cringe to myself. How the f— do they get my son to eat this food? One parent offered a good theory: “Peer pressure. They see the other kids eating it, so they decide to just dig in.” I guess I could drop in to observe the lunch hour myself, but I’d hate to disrupt the schedule — both the school’s and mine. Since the day care staff has told me several times that Cipriano has a healthy appetite and “eats everything,” I guess I feel that is enough evidence.

Beyond the Sneaky Chef, are there any tactics you readers use to get your food to eat good food most of the time?

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