Moms Talk: The Fickle Eater

Moms Talk is a new feature on Garden City Patch, part of a new initiative reaching out to moms and families.

Garden City Patch invites you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for mothers and their families right here in Garden City.

Moms Talk will be the place to drop in for a chat about the latest parenting hot topic. How can moms achieve a work-life balance? How can we help our children's schools weather their budget cutbacks? What do you do when your child likes a timeout?

Today's topic is the fickle eater. We've all been there. One day he can't get enough of his mac n cheese, the next he snubs the idea of it. You scramble back into the kitchen to make another dish. And another dish. And another dish.

If you're thinking your child loves his grub no matter what's put in front of him – think again. Things just might change.

My son was a good eater - a great eater - until he "hated" foods he literally couldn't get enough of the day before. I panicked. I was up to my elbows in blueberries, yogurt, turkey, string beans, cereal bars, hummus and any other surefire food I knew he'd eat.

Now what?

I felt like a short-order cook churning out meal after meal for a packed roadside diner. "This is nuts" I'd think as I prepared his fourth lunch and counting.

I've since hung up those apron strings and decided to get creative - and colorful. I noticed the more colorful the food, the more inclined my son was to try it. I also began making veggie pies to ensure he was getting enough of the green stuff. Broccoli. Zucchini. Asparagus. You name it, he ate it! I was amazed my deceptive plan was actually working.

...Until he "hated" broccoli, zucchini and asparagus.

I guess it's time for Plan B. Any suggestions?

Please use the comment box below to share your experiences, recipes, anecdotal stories and more.