My French Food Influence: 6 tips to get kids to eat everything

I have 6 amazing French food tips to share with you: it will change the way you and your kids look at food. They'll eat everything! Do you want them to take the whisks & some risks (at the table), then this is for you!

So you want to discover my French secret and learn how my kids eat everything? Psssst... Come closer, I'll tell you... I don't have any! I have taught them to stay open and try new recipes, new food, to taste at least twice before deciding you don't like it.

As you know, I'm French. There. That's it, nothing else to add, is there? I tasted everything when I was little from school food to my delicious grandma's family meals. And I truly believe this is how things should be.

Do you agree with me? I have 6 tips about the French food approach that which, in my opinion, made a huge difference to my kids' taste buds. There are different things you can do at different stage of their lives.

I'm French, I ate everything as a kid. I truly believe as a Mom these 6 tips are the reasons why I got so successful: they like everything!

1. Teach them a word of wisdom: Moderation

In my house: The candy jar is on the kitchen counter. It's not hidden. My kids are allowed to eat sweets, I don't hide them. They know that the candies or the cookies are not going to disappear overnight.

They can have one today and one some other day. Of course, I like it better when they choose a fruit (my daughter often does) but the reality is I like candies & chocolates too!

Let's be real, they are kids, they do go crazy during Christmas, Easter and birthdays. But then... so do I!

2. French Food Approach: Make meals a pleasant moment

Most of all, any meals are a family moment. We always have dinner the 4 of us together and the TV is rarely on. If it is, it could be a lazy Friday TV night because we are all humans!

I believe meals need to be pleasant in a positive atmosphere. Then, if you are introducing a new recipe or ingredient, the moment is more favorable. I rarely get push back from the kids, my son's reaction would always be, ''ok, I'll try a little bit to start" **insert proud mom face emoji**

3. Start them early

And by early I mean when they start eating solids. In their little baby puree, I would add a mini pinch of herbs or nutmeg. I always tried to enhance the flavours and I feel it made a difference, they both have such a great pallet.

One summer, we travelled to France, my son asked if he could ordered from the regular menu as the food was more appealing! He was probably 4 or 5.

YES!

IT SHOULD BE DIFFERENT: Kid's menus in restaurant: What is the idea behind chicken fingers and cheese pizza? Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with comfort food but I think the choices should be a little broader. How are they going to have a culinary curiosity?

Here is what he chose:

I want them to be adventurous in their food choices in restaurants and take risks & be surprised by new flavours.

A little tip/game: When I make them soups or smoothies, I get them to guess what's inside. They pay more attention to the flavours while eating. They have gotten so good at this 'game.

Now, I actually get suggestions, from my son mostly, for a dish or challenges for desserts.

4. Show them where the food comes from

I get it, not everyone has a backyard or even a balcony, to grow some vegetables or fruits. You can maybe go to the farm and pick up their own strawberries for example.

Even if you are just growing some lettuce or kale, I believe this is important to have them understand that vegetables don't grow in the store.

I'm not a city girl, I grew up in a small village. I went on vacations with my grandma where if we are going to eat chicken, we need to catch it first. My mom does a lot of canning of the delicious produce she harvests. It's work but it's worth it, so many flavours.

To me, this is how you get some culinary curiosity. You discover, you experience, you taste and try.

5. Involve them in the kitchen

Ok - Easier said than done. I'm not actually the most patient person to let them participate as often as they want to. On a weekday, when I want to put dinner on the table in 30 minutes (Cooking race with me anyone? ) It's not always the ideal moment to do some bonding in the kitchen with the kiddos.

However, once in a while, I let them have fun with me.

My little Princess loves to crack the eggs when I do a quiche, it's simple and a good help actually. Mini Chef is starting to like to chop veggies or be in charge of the pan. (or below he is making meatballs for Food Revolution)

6. My French (food) influence: Eat for pleasure

I'll wrap up with the most important of all. Eating, and seating together as a family should be a moment of pleasure. It's really how French people do it :)!

You should be enjoying every bite and appreciate every effort that went into a meal. Cooking or baking for someone is really proof of love and caring. Do you taste it in your food? <3 <3

Actually, I have told you that secret before, Love is always the secret ingredient.

Simple recipes kids can cook or bake