Food isn’t THAAAT serious

I spend a lot of time thinking about food.

I love cooking, I enjoy making meals look nice, and I think early introduction of foods and encouragement towards trying new things is great.

But I also think food has become one of those areas of parenting that can carry a lot of pressure.

Too much fruit.
Not enough vegetables.
Not enough protein.
Too many snacks.
Not enough variety.

It's a lot.

Especially when starting out the best thing I ever heard was “food before one is just for fun!” Literally have fun explore, enjoy! If they eat one crumb so be it they’re still getting so much milk it barely matters.

And sometimes I think we forget that children are people too, not tiny robots ready to eat a balanced breakfast, lunch & dinner.

They have favourite foods, funny phases, big appetites, tiny appetites, and days where nothing seems appealing - just like we do!

Of course nutrition matters. Of course variety matters. But I think looking at the bigger picture matters too.

Ultimately if your attitude towards your child when they are around/trying/exploring food is calm and engaging that is the best thing you can do in my opinion.

Are there some days where dinner ends up being toast, berries and cheese? THAT’S FINE!!

Food can be nutritious and beautiful and exciting. It can also occasionally be simple, repetitive or beige.

I don't think every meal needs to carry the weight of being perfectly balanced.

We're feeding small people several times a day, every single day. There are soo many opportunities to get it "right.”

So this is mostly a constant reminder to myself: Food matters. But perfection doesn't.

And one meal is never as important as we think it is.