I learned about the One New Food Challenge through the creator of Mommy in Sports, Kristen. She teamed up with Lauren (great name, right?) from the blog, Oh, Honestly, with the hopes of expanding the palate of our most picky eaters, our kids! Basically, you introduce them to #onenewfood each week. Easy, right?
I was intrigued by the idea right away. I have noticed my oldest son, who was always willing to try ANYTHING (even if it was just a bite), is suddenly quick to turn down all new foods offered to him. So, if we are being honest here, I have sort of stopped offering. I have been too ‘busy’ and too lazy to force him to eat foods he doesn’t want. Now, he eats the typical 6-year-old foods. Chicken nuggets, pasta, pizza… you know, the usual. My daughter, at just 1 and a half, is at the curious age where she wants to take a bite of EVERYTHING we have and is willing to try anything.
So I have an opportunity here to start my daughter off on what will hopefully become a lifetime of healthy eating habits, and a chance to get my son back on track, by making him try more foods.
I started with Mila, since she has been eating the same items for breakfast lately. (pancakes, waffles, fruit, or cereal) I decided I would make her eggs and turkey sausage. My husband and I eat eggs every single morning, and we have offered them to her in the past, but its been awhile.
Well, she loved it. Ate up all the eggs and some of the turkey sausage. Now she asks for eggs at least a few times a week. (and to think, I gave up on eggs with her!) I was shocked with how easy it was.
Next was Hudson. We order take out occasionally and we always have to cook something different for him so he will eat. Not this time. We got sushi and I ordered him veggie lo mein. (ok, ok… I know this challenge is all about introducing healthier foods and lo mein may not be the BEST choice… but cut me a break people. Baby steps.) At first he said “No!” Then I told him he had to take two bites, and after that I would make him whatever he wanted. Well, he took two bites… and he liked it. (Mila ate it, too)
I am going to continue to make a conscious effort to offer my kids a variety of foods, especially since I now realize how easy it is. It doesn’t have to be a battle, but I can at least push them to try things out of their comfort zone.
Will you take the #ONENEWFOOD challenge?
Love it! Great job re-trying breakfast foods! It's so easy to fall into the chicken nugget trap – bit hopefully our kids will embrace one new food at a time!
Yes, such a great idea and I am so glad I decided to give it a try!
That's awesome! The last time I gave my oldest son eggs he was probably your daughter's age (he's your son's age now) and he almost threw up. It was the texture I think. I wonder if he'd eat them now. Maybe it's time for another try. (And yes, the name Lauren IS pretty great 😉 ). We're so glad you're joining us for #ONENEWFOOD!
Yes, try eggs again! I seriously thought there was NO WAY my daughter would eat them again. 🙂
Thankfully, I never had picky eaters. Great share at the #WWDParty.
Thanks for stopping by! You are so lucky your kids werent picky!
LOVE this challenge! My older kids (10 and 14) are a lot better about trying new foods now, and enjoying many kinds of foods, but my youngest? Bahaha, he is picky… I am working on trying to introduce more foods to him; I like the idea of doing one per week (though I think more will actually be better for my little guy), so thank you for this kick-in-the-pants post! 😀
You are welcome! It is such a simple idea, but I think we fall into a rut when it comes to offering foods. (I know I did… I just got lazy! ha!) Good luck and thanks for stopping by!
I LOVE Mila's huh face!!!! Annd I see Mr. Hudson is wearing my favorite green ninja shirt 🙂
My kids love sushi, but 2 out of 3 of them will not eat cooked fish!?! I know, weird? Right?
XOXO
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Great idea! My one year old will eat most things right now. He has tried most foods too. I want to make sure he stays that way and avoid a picky stage. I'm going to give this a try to prevent that from happening!
What a great idea for a challenge. We definitely get into food ruts very easily. Cute pictures, too 🙂
LOVE this idea! My kids aren't picky, but they do go through phases where they want the exact same things all the time and this is a great remidner to switch it up a little!
Nice job, mama! We do something similar to this, and I'm constantly surprised at the variety of foods kids will try if they're encouraged. Way to go!