Frequently Asked Questions
By Althea Zanecosky, MS, RD, LDN
Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association
March 2008
Q: There is a book for parents on the best-seller list that explains how to grind up and hide some foods in other foods without children knowing about it. Do tricks belong at the dinner table?
A: One of the most controversial reads on child nutrition is Jessica Seinfeld’s “Deceptively Delicious.” The author, the wife of comedian Jerry Seinfeld, advocates grinding up and hiding vegetables in food without children knowing about it. Recipes include chicken nuggets doused in a broccoli puree before being breaded and fried, macaroni and cheese spiked with cauliflower puree, chocolate cake made with beets, quesadillas with butternut squash hidden in the cheese, and brownies with pureed spinach.
Some nutrition experts applaud “Deceptively Delicious” for encouraging parents to do whatever it takes to get children to eat well. But many dietitians think the stealth approach sends several wrong messages:
1. This “secret” strategy reinforces the notion that some foods are bad and have to be hidden.
2. Food deception can erode trust between parent and child. Children eventually catch on that they’re being tricked and when this happens, they feel hurt and angry. This can set back kids’ ability to learn and grow.
3. Early childhood is a critical time of palate development. When foods are hidden, children miss out on the opportunity to acquire a taste for them.
4. Time-consuming and complicated recipes make extra work for already busy parents. Many of the recipes in “Deceptively Delicious” require a huge amount of time and effort and parents should use their energy into making foods more appealing to kids.
Dietitians Liz Weiss and Janice Bissex, co-authors of “The Moms’ Guide to Meal Makeovers,” tested some of the recipes to see whether they worked and to see how healthy they really are. The two nutritionists were disappointed to find that a nutritional analysis of the recipes was not included in the book. Several of the recipes they analyzed provided a very small amount of vegetables - some as little as one tablespoon per serving. They also didn’t think the finished products tasted very good. One recipe for chocolate pudding included pureed avocado but no milk, so it provided no bone-building calcium.
Seinfeld admitted that she developed this stealth approach with her children because she grew tired of “bribing them, begging them, whining at them” to eat their vegetables. But research shows that pressuring kids doesn’t work. Pediatric health professionals recommend giving your kids time and many opportunities to enjoy vegetables – and all foods.
Help vegetables taste good with seasonings and use yogurt and cheese sauces and dips. Or add veggies directly to your kid’s favorite foods. Here are some suggestions:
- Pizza: Whether you're ordering in, heating it up, or making it from scratch, top your pie with flavor-packed nutrient-boosters like chopped tomatoes, red peppers, broccoli and basil leaves.
- Mac-and-Cheese: From scratch or whipping it up from the box? Then just add some frozen mixed vegetables, like cauliflower, broccoli and carrots, which help to boost fiber. Or serve diced or stewed tomatoes on the side. Don't assume your kids won't like it - everything tastes better with cheese!
- Hot Dogs: For a new way to serve up veggies with this kid’s staple, prepare your dogs Chicago-style—topped with pickles, tomato slices, onions and peppers and served on whole wheat buns. Add a slice of cheese for extra calcium.
- Spaghetti & Meatballs: Marinara sauce is a good start, but you can up the nutrition easily by mixing in a can of diced tomatoes while heating in a saucepan. Then toss in chopped mushrooms, sliced peppers, and onions to up the veggie quotient even more. Top with parmesan cheese for added taste and nutrition.
- Grilled Cheese: Add a slice or two of tomato before grilling for a quick way to pack this simple sandwich with vegetables. Serve with cream of tomato soup or baby carrots.
Childhood feeding experts say the goal of parents should not be to get certain foods into children, but to trust them to move along in learning to enjoy those foods for a lifetime. Have children try new foods by looking, smelling, slowly tasting and seeing parents eat them.