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has design on the mind
We're talking with Jeanne Muchnick about her new book, "Dinner for Busy Moms" and easy strategies for getting our family to the table. We'll share some of our favorite recipes (even for us non-cooks) and conversation starters beyond, "What'd you do in school today?" Thank you to the WONDERFUL co-hosts joining the conversation (see the Talk sidebar for the full list)! Sponsored by Sprout Baby Food.
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Dinner for Busy Moms
May 19, 2010 Wednesday, 12:00pm EST - Add as Favorites
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TALK HOSTS:
FEATURED GUESTS:
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- Kathleen Cuneo 36 comments
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Not sure if this has already been mentioned, but I think understanding Ellyn Satter's division of responsibility in feeding is crucial for raising successful eaters. Does anyone know what I mean by that? I'm happy to explain.
about 1 year ago
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- Jeanne Muchnick 26 comments
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so what did everyone think of chicken nugget article from consumer reports? did you read?
about 1 year ago
Gayle Williams
Parents, and everyone, really, needs to be aware that this stuff is hidden in so many of the foods we eat. Being aware is the first part of the battle. Eating fresh really will help.
about 1 year ago
HeatherS
Thanks Gayle, will share that with our Jack's Harvest twitter followers!
about 1 year ago
Jeanne Muchnick
THat is such a hot topic, Gayle. I don't think many of us realize how much hidden sugar and sodium are in our diets. What ever happened to the old days when we didn't have to worry about this stuff? I do think there is a return to the old ways of fresh/fresh/fresh!
about 1 year ago
Gayle Williams
And here's something that should be of note to kids and adults alike: Our tests on hidden sugar and sodium, and how to get them out of our diets: http://tinyurl.com/4p42v2>
about 1 year ago
Gayle Williams
Here's a link to our earlier report on kids' cereals: http://tinyurl.com/44fkvf
about 1 year ago
Gayle Williams
In the past, we've also done a test of kids' cereals -- which aren't just for kids, we found out!
about 1 year ago
Gayle Williams
Hi Jeanne! We are planning some tests of kids' juice boxes in the not-too-distant future.
about 1 year ago
Jeanne Muchnick
Gayle: Is there anything else Consumer Reports is working on that pertains to this topic that we moms would be interested in? Are you doing french fries next? Or juices? I'm NOT a big fan of juice.
about 1 year ago
Gayle Williams
Exactly, Laurie. They're not for everyday consumption, but when you have to use them as your go-to meal, or if your kids are in a phase when they won't eat anything else,you want to make a good, reasonable choice
about 1 year ago
Jeanne Muchnick
Plus, I don't think we should feel guilty for feeding these to our kids. Again: it's about balance. Nuggets one night; something healthier the next.
about 1 year ago
Jeanne Muchnick
I agree. We need to be REALISTIC. Kids ARE eating these. Moms are feeding them to their kids. It shouldn't be the choice EVERY night of the week, but to ignore the facts would be foolish.
about 1 year ago
Laurie
I say everything in moderation...with chicken nuggets, stay with healthiest brands and not every day.
about 1 year ago
Gayle Williams
The top Rated nuggets were; 1. Market Pantry (Target brand) 2. Bell and Evans Breaded 3. Kirkland Signature Disney (Costco's brand) They were all rated Good in terms of nutrition and did well with our trained sensory panelists.
about 1 year ago
Gayle Williams
Our kid testers - a panel of 31 boys and girls ages 6 to 17, LOVED McDonald's McNuggets, which are battered. The supermarket and store brands tend to be breaded. Bottom line is, kids (and their parents) are eating these things, so we wanted to give our readers info to make a better choice.
about 1 year ago
Jeanne Muchnick
chicken nuggets were my "go to" when my kids were young. I was happy to see in article that McDonald's wasn't actually all that bad. Though I'm a huge huge Trader Joe fan.
about 1 year ago
Gayle Williams
Actually - a correction: We had ONE that was Rateed VERY GOOD in terms of nutrition: Health is Wealth brand.
about 1 year ago
Brandie
I think nuggets scared me every since reading one of Pollan's books. We make our own. I've heard there is a GF chicken nugget on the market though. It's really good at hiding because I've never actually seen it LOL!
about 1 year ago
Dawn Viola
Not a big fan of packaged nuggets since they're so easy and quick to make at home with chicken tenderloins.
about 1 year ago
Gayle Williams
Linda, We didn't find any that are Excellent or Very Good, in terms of nutrition, but all that we tested were Rated At least fair and many were Good. None were poor.
about 1 year ago
Gayle Williams
They're really not all bad. Of course, you don't want yours or your child's whole diet to consist of chicken nuggets, but they're not bad.
about 1 year ago
RoleMommy
Grossed out by the whole chicken nugget thing so we just buy our nuggets from Trader Joe's or sing la la la and don't think about it. It still tastes good....yuk!
about 1 year ago
Linda
Are there any chicken nuggets that are healthy?
about 1 year ago
Gayle Williams
We Rated 12 frozen or refrigerated nuggets made of chicken and soy. You'll never guess what rose to the top!
about 1 year ago
Emily
It's on the sidebar, right here -> :)
about 1 year ago
Brandie
I didn't read it - can you link?
about 1 year ago
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Brandie
I've never seen Mommy Dearest! I've heard of it, and thankfully the only thing my parents were like that mom in the movie was (apparently) serving dinner to me as breakfast if I didn't eat it!)
about 1 year agoDeborah
GREAT point, Kathleen!!!!
about 1 year agoKathleen Cuneo
You're right Jeanne. If we want our kids to have healthy weight management throughout their lives, we need to let them learn what it feels like to be "hungry" and "full" based on their own internal cues, not just because we adults tell them they should be full, etc.
about 1 year agoClumberKim
I popped over to Ellyn's website for a minute. Brilliant.
about 1 year agoHeatherS
Brandie, didn't they have a scene in Mommie Dearest where she gets her dinner from the night before for breakfast? I'm just sayin'!
about 1 year agoJeanne Muchnick
Kids appetites ebb and flow. Ellyn also talks about how we all "worry" -- sometimes obsessively over whether our kids are eating "enough." We all know when we are hungry or not. So if a child isn't hungry for dinner one night, that's fine. Don't push it. Similarly, don't freak out if he eats the kitchen sink the next night.
about 1 year agoEmily
Kathleen, what you just said is SO interesting. The process of accepting new foods before even trying them can be such a hurdle sometimes.
about 1 year agoBrandie
Oh Deborah, trust me, as a parent you could force them to eat things they don't want to. As in, not serving any other food until what they didn't eat is eaten. As a kid, you'll eventually cave and eat it. Even if it's broccoli from over 24 hours ago. But once you leave your house, you might not tough broccoli for a long time because you've associated it with that and mentally it will take time to get over it. And no, I don't recommend doing that at all. Furthermore, when you've been offered the same freaking piece of broccoli for dinner, then breakfast, then lunch, then dinner again, it tastes horrible. And so you will think that is how broccoli always tastes.
about 1 year agoEmily
We have a rule that if it's a new food everyone has to take a couple of bites. Over time, the foods aren't so new and they get accepted. It's my way of getting beyond the battleground for my picky eater. The other will eat anything. Funny how two kids can respond to food so differently!
about 1 year agojuliepippert
I think I like Ellyn!
about 1 year agoKathleen Cuneo
It's also important to recognize that learning to like new foods is a process. Some kids naturally do better with it than others. Part of the process is just seeing others eat the food, smelling the food, and accepting it on the table. Putting it in your mouth and swallowing is the last step and can sometimes take many exposures.
about 1 year agoKathleen Cuneo
The "no thank you" bite can work fine with some kids, but I think you have to be careful with that. With some kids' temperaments you will be setting yourself up for a battle.
about 1 year agoDawn Viola
I think my approach is similar: I cook, you eat, or starve. LOL! {kidding...sort of}
about 1 year agocararolinson
I agree with this approach. We make a wholesome meal and unless we're having dinner guests or preparing something spicier than usual (this doesn't happen often) then I don't make something different for the kids. Once it's prepared and on the table, it's their job to eat it. if they don't, then that's their choice. we usually encourage a little bit, but we never force the issue. As long as they have a few bites and some milk. I'm ok with it. which usually happens on it's own without my encouragement. I know there are times when I'M not very hungry, so I'm sure there are times when they aren't. right?
about 1 year agoJeanne Muchnick
Ellyn's writings can be found online and are REALLY something to think about.
about 1 year agoCooper
Oh I have lived the "curse of the short order cook" and then some.
about 1 year agoonceamonthmom
It is sad because sometimes what he is asking for is healthy like more grapes and I am asking him to eat his chicken first, BUT it really is more of an issue of who is in charge in these cases. He wants to test us. I give in more easily when he is requesting healthy food, I must admit.
about 1 year agoKathleen Cuneo
Definitely agree with that Jeanne. I think we have to be careful about being "food police" while still being mindful of offering "healthy" food. It's also important to honor both your own and your kids' preferences. Doesn't mean that they get their favorites all the time! But does mean that they get them sometimes.
about 1 year agoJeanne Muchnick
Brandie. I love how you stick to your guns. I think we should all be a bit more old-fashioned in our approach to dinner. The options: take it or leave it. And at 8 p.m. the kitchen is closed!!!!
about 1 year agoDeborah
Like this. My kids have to take a small "no thank-you" helping of things that are not a favorite. We all have foods that aren't appealing. So, I've never forced ( how do you do that, anyway?) and have encouraged them to re-try a food every 6 months to see how their tastebuds have changed. It's worked for us.
about 1 year agoJeanne Muchnick
It's all really about feeding your family without becoming a short order cook. And also getting your family to pitch in and help.
about 1 year agoBrandie
Yeah, I don't want dinner to be a battle too. I don't often sweat it if they don't eat what I've served (that said, don't expect me to get up and make you something else either). We do often ask the kids to take at least one bite - just to try it. But we don't make them clean their plate. When I was growing up, if I didn't eat it for dinner, guess what I got for breakfast? Yep. The dinner I didn't eat. I didn't appreciate that much and so avoid situations even similar to that at my table.
about 1 year agoonceamonthmom
Our policy, even with the 21 month old is that he eats what he has on his plate first (or at least try a bite if it is new) before he gets seconds of whatever it is he is wanting. If he doesn't eat what we are eating, he doesn't eat. But he still has to sit at the table while we eat. He can read a book, etc, but he must stay there. It's working pretty well. He got his leftover dinner the other night right before bed when he decided he was hungry. Interesting what they will eat when they are hungry.
about 1 year agoJeanne Muchnick
Some of Ellyn's comments include regularly offering "forbidden" foods (such as sweets and chips), making mealtimes pleasant (no fighting), offering plenty of food choices at mealtimes, and treating yourself to a night off from cooking (popcorn and cocoa in front of tv is ok). Even the most ho-hum family meal is better than no family meal at all, she says.
about 1 year agojuliepippert
Oh I'm a pretty mean mom -- my kids say so all the time. So at least I've got the strict and teach them responsibility thing down. Actually, it surprises me every time their teachers or caretakers comment on how capable and independent they are. Shouldn't they be? I think so!
about 1 year agoKathleen Cuneo
I think our motivation as parents is to make our kids happy, and we worry about their health. But we end up inadvertently teaching them poor habits and social skills by catering to them.
about 1 year agoJeanne Muchnick
I quote Ellyn Satter a LOT in my book. I think what she talks about is critical. Our generation of parents bend over backwards to accommodate our kids. We need to be a bit stricter and teach them responsiblity.
about 1 year agoKathleen Cuneo
It really stops a lot of the battles over food if you can approach it this way.
about 1 year agojuliepippert
Interesting. We are a little more trough-style here, and I encourage the kids to make or help make the food, too -- find they enjoy it, feel proud, and are more likely to eat it that way. Is it a regular schedule thing or not? We can vary a bit on the when, as well, here.
about 1 year agoHeatherS
My pediatrician has always ascribed to that theory. Can't make yourself crazy and I don't want to turn my table into a battleground. Dinner is our time to regroup, share and reconnect, not argue about what they will or will not eat!
about 1 year agoKathleen Cuneo
Yes. It's your responsibility to make good choices about what you food you offer to your kids and to provide a mealtime structure, but that's where your job ends.
about 1 year agoClumberKim
I am trying very hard to put this in place in my house. Having trouble getting my husband on board. So, so tired of the dinnertime battles.
about 1 year agoEmily
Kathleen, will you say more about this? It's such an interesting concept!
about 1 year agoClumberKim
Is that where it's my responsibility to put good food in front of my kids. It's their responsibility to eat it. Or not. ??
about 1 year agoKathleen Cuneo
What she says basically is this: Parents are responsible for the what, where, and when of feeding (e.g., what you make available, the structure of where and when you have meals). Children are responsible for whether or not they'll eat and how much they'll eat. Sounds so simple, but it can be really hard to implement. I wish I had known about that model myself when my kids were littler.
about 1 year agoCooper
Oh please explain!
about 1 year ago