One of the first posts I wrote for this blog was on home made chicken nuggets. A healthy alternative to packaged or fast food versions. This was before I was in the habit of taking pictures of all the recipes I posted. Since I just posted on frugal whole-grain breadcrumbs and FINALLY added a picture of chicken nuggets, I wanted to share the healthy chicken nugget recipe and post with you again. You can also find out about nutrients in chicken that is good for little ones in that post.
Is Ketchup Healthy?
As I re-read the post it dawned on my that big boo's ketchup consumption habits have changed dramatically in the past year. As a toddler he wouldn't eat any kind of meat unless he dipped it in ketchup. As he got to be an older two year old, I stopped putting the ketchup on the table, and if he asked for it, I told him he could go get it for himself. He always did, and I never refused or really encouraged him to try it without ketchup. I was just happy he was eating what I made, as animal protein was always something he rarely ate with gusto. He still goes to get the ketchup when I make breaded meat or oven fries, and he always uses it when we occasionally eat fast food. But if I make pork chops, grilled chicken breast, fish, etc. he doesn't even ask for it anymore. I'm so glad I never made a big fuss about how much ketchup he ate. His ketchup consumption bothered hubby, but I felt confident he'd grow out of it. It's not like he was drinking 8oz of ketchup at dinner. Sure it's got some sugar and sodium in it, but not enough to fret about in small quantities.
So my take on condiments is as long as the salsa, ranch, cheese, sour cream, ketchup, butter, syrup etc. is going on something healthy like raw veggies, whole grain pancake or a home made taco, let them eat it. Teach them to use sensible condiment portions, and make sure they actually eat the thing they're adding the topping to. I always let big boo have one "squirt" of ketchup. If he wanted more ketchup he had to take more meat. In time he learned to ration out his ketchup dipping with how much food he had to dip in it.
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2 comments:
Wow! What is with boys doing this. My son is now 3 and he is still on his ketchup kick. It started around a year and ever since he will not eat anything without it. Meat, that is a fight of its own.
My daughter is the complete opposite and hates the taste of it. I'd stop buying it, but then I have the huge fight of where is the ketchup! Nice to see I am not the only one who's gone through this. He is getting better, but the obsession doesn't look to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Bill-if you'd asked me when big boo was 3 whether or not his ketchup consumption would ever decrease I would have said "I doubt it." It happened organically I think over 4 years. I never intentionally tried to get him to use it less often. My younger one is also not a ketchup fan! I'm always amazed at how different they are :)
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