Pickle Barrel
WHEN I WAS over for dinner at my neighbour’s house, I watched in amazement as her son and daughter polished off a huge bowl of strawberries; a plate of tomatoes, feta and pita; and a bag of carrots with dip for a snack.
At my place, my kids will tolerate fruits and veggies, but it’s cookies and other sugary foods they crave.
I never hear whining for candy or chips coming from across the street. Fruits, veggies and cheese are their idea of a treat.
This appetite for healthy food didn’t happen by accident. It was fostered by their mom, Daina Kalnins, who is personally and professionally passionate about healthful eating.
At work, Daina has a masters degree in nutrition, she’s the acting director in clinical dietetics at SickKids Hospital, and she’s the author of four food-related books. At home, she practises what she preaches, keeping her kitchen free from processed foods and filled with fresh produce, wholesome meals and home-baked goodies.
A full-time working mom, Daina somehow finds time to cook meals and bake from scratch. “It’s a priority for me,” she says. She understands most parents today are in a hurry and resort to feeding their families processed foods. The big winners are the food companies, who are laughing all the way to the bank. The losers are kids who are being fed overly fatty and salty meals that lack fibre.
Daina feels very strongly about the effect this is having on our children. “I hear so often from parents who claim they can’t get their kids to eat fruits and vegetables. Hold it. Don’t blame the kids. It’s time for parents to accept responsibility. You’re the adult.”
Education is key according to Daina. But she’s worried it may be too late to convince adults to change their diets. So she’s going directly to the kids with a new book called YUM: Your Ultimate Manual for Good Nutrition (Lobster Press).
So, here are some tips I learned from Daina on how to incorporate healthier foods in our homes.
First, be organized and prioritize. Healthy eating takes time. It has to be a priority. Be prepared to buy fresh produce two or three times a week. No one wants to eat fruit that tastes like a stale fridge. Have a few surefire easy recipes with fresh ingredients so you can whip up home-cooked meals quickly.
Next, cut out juice from your kids’ diet. This constant sugar supply displaces other healthy foods kids might otherwise want. Juice does not replace fruit. There’s no fibre in juice, and many have extra sugar and additives. Stick with water.
Switch your snack routine. If you don’t want your kids eating junk food, don’t buy it. Say no when they badger you for cookies and candy. Instead, when they come home from school, have a platter of fresh fruit on the table.
Keep on introducing new foods to kids, especially when they’re young. A recent study confirmed kids may need to try a new food up to 15 times before they’ll eat it. Daina created a “lick test” with her kids. For new foods, they’re allowed to give it a lick to see if they like it. This has helped them develop a more sophisticated palate.
Beware the restaurant kiddie menu. Have you noticed the distinct lack of fruits and veggies on most kids’ menus? Instead, it’s deep-fried and deeply processed atrocities like chicken fingers, fries and pizza. To make it even worse, they throw in a pop and cut the cost to make it even more appealing. Daina suggests we try to resist and order from the adult menu for the kids. Sometimes a chef will prepare half a portion.
Most of us aren’t eating well ourselves, so why should we expect our kids to? Understand Canada’s food guide and explain to your growing family about the importance of proteins, fruits and veggies and how they give us energy in sports, heal our bodies and make our brain smarter.
If all this talk about food is
making you hungry, load up on a
plate of fresh fruits and veggies.
Your kids will thank you. 
Post columnist Erica Ehm is one of Canada’s most recognized personalities. As the first female MuchMusic host, she was the voice of her generation. Now she’s become a voice of a new generation: yummy mummies. Visit her new website, at www.yummymummysite.com.
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