One of the questions I’m often asked on Instagram is, “Do your kids eat everything you post?” The short answer is no — and that’s okay. Another frequent question is, “Are your kids vegetarian?” The answer to that is also no, and I’m fine with that too.
I created Healthy Gluten-Free Family because my son needs a gluten-free diet (he has Celiac disease) and because he’s always been curious about trying new foods and exploring the dining experience (see The Young Celiac Chef). He’s the kid who wants to taste new flavors or different takes on his favorite dishes. With Celiac disease, though, his food must be prepared without cross-contamination, so he can’t just try anything at every restaurant or deli.
I’m always cooking new things so he can sample them. It’s all about exposure. Sometimes he loves a dish and devours it. Other times he says it’s too spicy or it smells great but he’s unsure about the flavor. Sometimes he simply doesn’t like it. That’s normal and expected. Even if he doesn’t eat a dish right away, at least he has the chance to try something new in a safe environment and learn what it tastes like.
As for vegetarian meals, my boys are omnivores. Though I post mostly vegetarian recipes, we often make simple steak or chicken for the kids. There are two main reasons I share mostly plant-based dishes:
1. I choose to eat a predominantly plant-based diet and have done so for years. It’s what works best for me. My husband, while an omnivore, also eats mostly plant-based for health reasons, so we cook many plant-forward meals.
2. The kids hate waiting while I photograph their food. I’ve grown used to eating leftovers cold, but they don’t want to wait!
Keep in mind I’m feeding two growing boys — a tween and a teen — who are always hungry and always asking for the next meal. On any given day they might eat what I post plus several other snacks. If you follow my Instagram Stories, you’ll see my son loves eggs and bacon for breakfast. Both boys also enjoy chicken and beef. Although that isn’t my personal preference, I’m grateful my child with Celiac disease likes these simple, real foods: they’re among the easiest to prepare gluten-free and safe from cross-contamination, which helps when dining out or traveling.
Because my son is so curious about food, I’ll keep cooking his favorites as well as lots of new flavors and cuisines for him to try. I’ll also keep preparing vegetables he won’t always choose to eat. Sometimes my husband and I will enjoy a dish while the boys have something different. That division of meals might not suit every family, but it works well for ours.
