French Kids Eat Everything
Imagine your child being on guard all the time. And over time that fear of unknown foods turning into a habit. As parents, suddenly we found that despite our best efforts, Logan began to eliminate more and more foods from his diet.
Food became a power-struggle. I was in a constant state of worry about Logan’s nutritional intake. And already on the smaller side, food strikes were not an option. Working with a feeding specialist we learned that Logan wasn’t really a picky eater, but a “Problem Feeder.”
Fast forward 5 years…these days Logan is still “Picky” by my standards, thought I’m certain that he eats a much healthier and nutritionally well-rounded diet than many of our fellow American children.
His diet is FULL of fresh fruits and vegetables. He PREFERS whole grain and whole wheat bread to any other variety. He eats sweets in moderation. He follows Michael Pollan’s advice to “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”
So what’s the problem? We’ll, we’re still fighting the battle. The odds are in our favor despite the fact that Madeline has chosen to join forces with her brother. Slowly I see small victories that will translate into a war won. But I’m ready for it to be over.
Our picky eaters.
Picky eating is an issue that we are working on DAILY in our home. I am always on the lookout for Picky Eating Tips as well as Nutrition Tips for Picky Eaters. I think it is a safe assumption that picky eating is always on my mind.
When I received an invitation to review a copy of the book French Kids Eat Everything, by Karen Le Billon I was naturally intrigued. Especially when I came to the subheading of the book: How Our Family Moved to France, Cured Picky Eating, Banned Snacking, and Discovered 10 Simple Rules for Raising Happy, Healthy Eaters. Cured picky eating? Sign me up!
10 Simple Rules for Happy, Healthy Eaters
We have already mostly banned snacking since I began reading this book. The exception: a snack of a fruit or vegetable is allowed in the event someone really is hungry (and not just bored). This has increased my children’s fruit and vegetable intake.
What I didn’t realize when I began reading French Kids Eat Everything was how badly Madeline needed help as well. I have noticed in the past few months how little she has been eating at dinner.
She had taken to spending all her time between meals snacking on things like yogurt, crackers, dried fruits, etc. While those items are healthy in moderation, the simple fact that she wasn’t eating her dinner because she had filled up on snack foods did not sit well with me.
I am also a big fan of rule #6 – You don’t have to LIKE it, but you have to TASTE it. I’ve been saying this all week and somehow have been able to gently encourage Logan into eating a few bites of rice from our stir fry dinner.
Watch the Trailer for French Kids Eat Everything:
More Interesting Reads from Karen Le Billon:
I could write a book about how this book is changing my outlook on feeding my kids. I have already had some thought provoking discussions with Allison (she read the book too).
The takeaway tips are helpful and practical. The writing is enjoyable as is it incredibly intriguing to peak into how the French view food and education. And there are adorable illustrations throughout from the lovely Sarah Jane (we have a few of her prints in Madeline’s room).
If after reading French Kids Eat Everything you are hungry for more, head over to Karen’s blog. I loved these posts about the French’s approach to kids food, how to deal with picky eaters, and thoughts on snacking. Click on over and give them a read!
- Science behind the French Approach to Kids Food
- Should Kids be Allowed to Randomly Snack?
- Top Tips for Picky Eaters from French Kids Eat Everything
Giveaway Prize (2 winners):
Each winner will receive one copy of French Kids Eat Everything, by Karen Le Billon
Giveaway Requirements:
- Do you have picky eaters in your home? How would you use French Kids Eat Everything to reform their taste buds and eating habits?
- Contest ends May 25, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
- Contest open to USA residents only.
- Winners will be chosen via random.org and will have 3 days to respond before disqualified and a new winner chosen.
Optional Extra Entries:
Additional entries can be earned by doing any of the following, giving you a total of 4 extra entries. Leave a separate comment for each of your entries.
1. Follow GoodLifeEats and Karen Le Billon on Twitter and ReTweet the following message: I just entered to win a copy of @karenlebillon’s new book, French Kids Eat Everything, from @goodlifeeats http://su.pr/2ezuYf #giveaway #books
2. Share this post on Facebook. Come back here and let me know that you did.
3. Like GoodLife Eats and Karen Le Billon on Facebook. Come back here and let me know that you did (or already do).
4. Share this post on Pinterest. Come back here and let me know that you did.
Disclosure: I was provided with a review copy of the book as well as the giveaway prize.
Anna says
I just have had no idea what to do with my picky eater, with this book I will be able to tackle the problem and finally have a child I do not have to be embarrassed to bring out in “public”
ZeeS says
I shared this on pinterest.
ZeeS says
My son is a picky eater. No veggies or fruit except apples. Its so hard to get him to even taste something. I go back and forth between being a short order cook so he can eat something and putting my foot down. My daughter eats good stuff but she is also a snacker. She hardly eats anything at her meal and even if she does, she still wants a carb snack after. She doesn’t really do lunch but snacks her way through. I guess I am at fault for keeping the snacks around but I need to find ways to get healthier less carb/sugar laden snacks in her that are also low maintenance. Meaning I don’t have to prepare snacks for her every half hour. I would love to check out this book.
Andrea M says
My husband and I are in the process of adopting and one thing we keep learning over and over is the challenge meal times can be…that being said, I would love this cookbook to hit the ground running when our little guy finally arrives 🙂
Dawn says
Out of my 3 kids, I would say only one is picky. My other 2 are both pretty good eaters. We follow most of these rules already, but I think snacking is really hurting their dinner appetites. I would love to see how the book addresses it b/c I have really had a hard time figuring out what to do.
Yvonne says
Oh, please pick me. My 2 year old son is the pickiest eater ever. He pretty much survives on crackers and juice or milk. We have tried “waiting him out”, and he went nearly 7 days without a bite. He broke down and ate some chicken. But the next day he went back to refusing food. We found out that at day care he would crawl under the other kids high chairs and eat the crackers they dropped. This is one strong willed kid! But the doc said its just a power struggle. We could really use this book, just to bring some normalcy to food at our house.
Krissa says
My kids are super picky…and I’m so tired of being a short order cook and would love to cut out snacking! This book sounds great!
Katie says
My kids are not overly picky but I would like to serve them more than the basics that I know they will eat. I would love to read this book.
Emily says
My daugherty is a fantastic eater, but there is always room for improvement.
Tyra says
I have two great eaters, one picky eater and a 1-year-old who is trying to become a picky eater. My 1-year-old also has dairy allergy. In looking at the list of 10 rules, I found the ‘no snacking’ rule interesting. It makes a lot of sense!
Natalia says
We are not at the picky eater point yet. In fact, my 9 month old will eat anything and everything, and I’ve been trying to introduce her to as many things as possible to avoid this problem.
Lynda says
i like you both on facebook
Lynda says
tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/oshkoshbgosh123/status/201454269898047488
Lynda says
my nephews are pretty picky. i plan on sharing this book with my sister (if i win!)
Suddenexpression says
Liked both on facebook!
Suddenexpression says
My daughter isn’t yet on solids, but knowing the type of eater I was and am I can see her becoming picky very easily. I would love to start out with a book like this, so she never becomes picky in the first place!