Each week DaddiLifeForce brings you inspiration curated from the community, to turn average time into quality dad moments quickly and easily.
This week we’re tackling a biggie…EATING! Or shall we say, eating well. Many a head has been scratched in trying to get the kids to eat their vegetables, eat their breakfast, or sometimes just eat anything at all! While a lot is made of modelling the behaviour you want in yourself, sometimes we need that extra spark to bring a new take on eating time. We found some awesome dads stepping forward with their imaginative DaddiLifeForce moves to get your children engaging in their food.
Let’s get stuck in.
Special experiments, by joyofparenting
Food is so much more interesting when it’s paired. While we often think of food pairing as an adult food combination, there’s a whole range of different ways to get the kids engaged through pairing.
We loved this #daddilifeforce move with hot sauce…and grapes! The thing with pairings is how versatile it can be. Kids can take upwards of ten tries to appreciate a new taste, so anything to up that count is always useful. For the younger kids you can also try dips as a great way to pair food. If you don’t have time to make your own you can always start with different types of dressings first. Why not sign up to Food Pairings and explore other food pairings your children could try (if they’re not at the age for hot sauce quite yet)
One thing Joysofparenting also do is introduce food in those plates with different compartments, with a different food group in each. It’s about getting them interested in food in new ways.
Price: Low (depending on your chosen pairing).
Time needed: A few minutes extra in putting your shopping list together.
Age Range: All.
Fun factor: Mixing it up!
Prepare together, by Benjimantv
Preparing food together is a gateway to many things. As well as getting a little help (and perhaps distraction) in the cooking process, it also gives you a chance to tell the food story – how it grew, where it grew etc. Give them age appropriate tasks like measuring, pouring, and get them involved.
The Benjiman has a pretty good process of getting his youngest daughter to eat her vegetables by allowing her to put them into a smoothie and more (skip to 2:10 in the video to see that). Be warned though, you’ll need to be prepared in advance, and have everything on the counter before you start. Measuring out what you need before is even better.
Price: Juices and smoothies can be expensive depending on the fruits and vegetables you use. But the health benefits are pretty darn good.
Time needed: At least an extra 10 minutes to your usual prep.
Age Range: 2-6 is the bullseye here, but build in the habit early and you may get a little sous chef for life!
Fun factor: Get this right, and your kids will literally be begging you to make the juices together.
Splash Dash, by fatherandsoncooking
They say you eat with your eyes, and the children do too – so have some fun in plating up. The most kid-friendly but creative plating out has to be the splatter! If you’re cooking with a sauce, place a spoonful of sauce on a clean plate. Now take the back of a spoon and smack it against the sauce. Put the food on your plate and look at your great creation. If you don’t have a sauce, condiments like ketchup or mustard work too.
Price: Zero.
Time needed: 2-3 minutes on getting a little creative with your presentation.
Age Range: This one works especially well in the toddler age range.
Fun factor: If you don’t get a big fat laugh from it, you’re not doing it right.
Show us what you got dad. Tag #daddilifeforce into your special moves on Facebook and Instagram and we’ll share with all dads across the community.
Got a #daddilifeforce move of your own you think we should feature? Send it into us at [email protected] for our next roundups.
Have a great weekend dad. ?
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