Parents' Guide to Raising Foodie Children

We all know the young foodie couple. They eat at all the new restaurants and act as the personal Zagat guide for their friends with recommendations. They own, and use, a mandolin. If country or suburban dwellers, they probably have a vegetable garden, and regardless of where they live frequent farmer's markets because home grown fruits and vegetables taste better than their supermarket cousins. Then the foodie couple gets pregnant.

Does their life of extraordinarily good eating have to come to an end? No... and yes. It changes. But with a little extra effort, and by following a few rules, raising a foodie child is a piece of cake.

Rule #1: If you don't want them to have it, don't introduce it.

My 3-year-old son has never had McDonald's, and doesn't know who Ronald McDonald is. This will change, but early habits instill later food choices. A kid who has never had French fries is less likely to insist that it is the only "vegetable" he will eat.

Rule #2: Take them to restaurants early and often.

Just because you have children does not mean you are relegated to chain restaurants or always eating at home. Children can practice good dining manners if they grow up around restaurants and with the expectation of good behavior. This may mean a 5:30 p.m. dinner - or lunch - instead of the more fashionable 7:30 p.m. reservation, but foodie parents can continue their dining habits if they make modifications for their children.

Rule #3: Food them a range of foods, and make typical family fare.

When foodies have children, one of their big fears may be that they are stuck eating typical child-friendly fare every day or else making two separate meals. Serve fresh pesto one day, and then marinara the next. Grilled cheese can be chevre and rye bread, or sourdough and cheddar with tomatoes. Foodies can rediscover childhood comfort foods and introduce the next generation to an elevated food palate.

Rule #4: Celebrate their joy of discovery.

Whether it is a new texture or flavor, the joy that children experience when trying something new that they love is indescribable. Celebrate it with them, and tell them about the first time that you tried it also.

Rule #5: Don't be overly disappointed if they don't like it.

Just because parents are adventurous eaters, does not mean their children will automatically be, too. Their palates are still developing and they may prefer simple fare. Keep offering foods as the child who tries a lot of things is more likely to eat them, but don't force it. And if they want chicken fingers, let them have it occasionally.

Like mother, like daughter is a typical truism. Your budget and time constraints may change, but raising a foodie child is a wonderful, and accessible, thing to do. Eat up!