New Good Reads Book: French Kids Eat Everything

When I was growing up, I was pretty much the opposite of a picky eater. Sure, there are some foods I still don’t like, but I was always fairly adventurous. The rule at my parents’ house was I’d have to try three bites of something before I decided whether I liked it or not, and I’d usually have to try things I didn’t formerly like when they appeared on the dinner table at a later date. If I didn’t like what was being made, I’d have to settle for eating whatever was on the plate that I liked, and I always had the option of making my own food. Most of the time, I’d give in and eat whatever was served to me, and more often than not, I’d grow to like the things that I once hated.

Into adulthood, I developed a wider appreciation for foods that I once thought were strange. For example, I went from hating sweet potatoes to putting them in as many recipes as possible. From my current perspective, I figure that as a kid, you’re just not going to like everything that adults like, and it’s just something that comes with age.

This is what intrigues me about French Kids Eat Everything. The notion that kids of all ages can eat all of the same foods that adults do is such a novel thought for most Americans. It’s pretty easy to see, especially when you step into any family-friendly restaurant and there’s a kids’ menu available.

I was drawn to this book and the rules on the back after reading Michael Pollan’s Food Rules. Many of the rules are similar between the two – eat real food, eat meals together without distractions, eat veggies, eat slowly, etc. As a reader who does not yet have children but is reading this as someone who is planning on having children in the future, I’m interested to see how these rules play out in Karen Le Billon’s household.

On top of that, I’m especially interested to see how they deal with the outside influences of school and friends when enforcing healthy habits (I’m really hoping they get to this in the book!) I read a lot of 100 Days of Real Food posts, and I’ve also followed documentations of school lunches from several bloggers. There are so many things waiting for children outside of the control of the household – junky cafeteria food, snacks at a sleepover, a child’s desire to buy candy with their allowance – and I think a lot about how the me in the future with children would manage those outside threats to health. You obviously don’t want to be militant about it, because then you’re the crazy hippie mom who won’t let her kids eat sugar, and kids will rebel against it at any chance. Based on my rambling, I’m sure you can tell I’ve thought about it a lot.

Anyway, I’ve started reading this book this week and will offer a recap when I get through it. Have you read French Kids Eat Everything? If so, post your thoughts here or email me – dairyfreestate@gmail.com. I’d love to work your feedback into my blog reviewing the book.