Claire didn’t used to be a super-picky eater, but sometimes I wonder if the tide is turning. She seems to be thrown off by the textures of foods. The baby who loved pureed pears and peaches has turned into the toddler that can’t stand the texture of real pears or peaches. And, if that’s not frustrating enough, there are days when she refuses to eat something that just days before was her favorite food in the whole wide world.
“I love bananas! I have to have bananas!”
“I hate bananas! Bananas are gross!”
“Applesauce is yummy! I love applesauce!”
“Ewwwwwww, Applesauce! Yuck!”
It’s exhausting.
My husband and I try not to get into the food battles, since it just seems to do more harm than good…and we don’t really get anywhere productive when we try to force-feed her. But, yesterday, we got caught up in a food fight over Fruit Cocktail, of all things.
Claire has never liked Fruit Cocktail, but in our defense, she’s never tried it. Who doesn’t like Fruit Cocktail? We told her it was just like Green Eggs & Ham, and that she had to try it before she could say she didn’t like it. That almost worked.
And, it’s not like it’s a really healthful food…but there are a lot worse things she could eat.
Things got ugly and dramatic, and finally we gave up. The Fruit Cocktail is in the fridge, and we’ll try it again, or I’ll covertly mix it into a smoothie and Claire will never know the difference.
Still.
Fruit Cocktail!?
She won’t even try Fruit Cocktail!?
This doesn’t seem so entirely bizarre until you throw what happened last night into the mix.
We went out to eat at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants. Normally, Claire eats her body weight in brown rice and will try some other things here and there. We like things on the spicy side of the spectrum. Sometimes the dishes we order are spicier than others…just depends on the chef and the particular day.
Things are going along as normal. Claire is shoveling in the brown rice. She ate a bite or two of the steamed dumplings (she likes the edges…as soon as you get into the good stuff, she declines). Then, she took one look at the Szechuan Asparagus and started begging for some. Great! She wants to eat a vegetable! Something that is actually good for her! But, these Szechuan Asparagus were HOT. As in PICANTE. As in, *I* was having trouble breathing after eating them. It didn’t stop me, because they were delicious, but they were spicy. Of course, my hubby thought they were just right, if not a little on the milder side.
And, most days, Claire likes fruits and vegetables, but after the debacle that happened at lunch, who knows what she likes and doesn’t like anymore. Still…is something this spicy a good idea?
But, she begged. She pleaded. So, we gave her one. I made sure there weren’t any visible chilis on it, and I waited. I had my hand ready for her to spit it out. I had her milk ready for if she couldn’t handle the heat.
We both watched her, holding our breath.
She loved it.
She begged for more.
We were stunned, but we obliged.
We waited for her to burst into flames and she never did. She didn’t even bat an eyelash. At one point, I think she got a chili, because her little eyes started to water, and we had her eat some more rice and drink some of her milk, and she did. Then, she dug right in again.
So, I’m not sure I understand:
Fruit Cocktail = Practically pure sugar = Tastes like Candy = Bad
Szechuan Asparagus = Molton Lava = Fiery Spice-Sauce = Good
Daddy says he gets it. He doesn’t know why her food likings vary so wildly from day to day, but he says he prefers spicy things over sweet things, if given a choice.
I mean, I like spicy food, probably more than the average person…but prefer it to something sweet?! Not in a million years.
Apparently, I’m a stranger living in a strange land. Oh well…if they get their way that just means more sweets for me! 
Editor’s Note: Due to a spambot attack, comments to this post have been closed. Feel free to email any comments to me directly, and I’ll post them. thecasualperfectionist @ gmail . com
sent to your Email
