How to raise a non-picky eater

The thing that surprises anyone who has met baby J, is the fact that her appetite is a bottomless pit.  The next thing that surprises people, is the fact that she eats anything we adults eat. When a friend saw how baby J ate, she asked me how we did it?  So, how did we manage to raise a toddler who loves green, leafy vegetables, fruits, milk, and meat?


When I look back to the time that we introduced food to her, the hubby and I decided not to give her the commercially available infant food preparations since these would have more sugar or salt to make the food appetizing for the baby.  I would like to give credit to my husband for blending all of baby J's food.  We started feeding baby J by introducing blended squash to her since we felt this has more taste and texture to make her first food experience a positive one.  We then proceeded to introduce other fruits and vegetables, all prepared with no sugar added and with very minimal salt, if at all. After awhile, we started mixing different food and gave her combination meals.  All of this was mixed with breast milk.


Other things we did that possibly contributed to her gusto for food:
1. Juice was not introduced until she was two years old.
2. No candies and chocolate.  We only eased up on this when she was a little over two.  Even then, she would only be allowed a limited amount.
3. No chips.  Even until now that she is three and a half years old, we do not allow her to eat chips.  The only chips she is allowed to eat are the fruit chips that do not have added sugar.
4.  Control the sugar intake.  Since baby J started drinking cow's milk, we only gave her the unflavored full cream milk.  I only allowed her to try the flavored milk when she turned two and half.
5.  We involve her in the food preparation.  She joins us when we buy food from the wet market, to the time of preparation and cooking the food.
6.  We encourage her appreciation for food.  Whenever she makes any food request, we try to accommodate it whenever possible.  Since she mostly asks for fruits and vegetables, then we happily give in to her requests.  She loves broccoli and watermelon, among other things.
7. No carbonated drinks allowed. Until now, baby J has never been allowed to drink carbonated drinks.
8. Ice cream is a treat, on special occasions.  When she does eat ice cream, she would normally eat yoghurt ice cream.  She does eat the "normal" ice cream too, but not too often.


Now, we are repeating what we did to baby A. So far, she is happy with her fruit and vegetable meals.  Again, all food are prepared at home, with no sugar and salt added.  We are hoping that we will be raising another child who appreciates food.