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Home › Articles › Toddler Nutrition › Organic, Please

Organic, Please

Converting "Conventional" Kids to Organic

By Jacqueline M. Duda

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"There are many challenges," says Dr. Greene. "Start by creating a home environment that will ease the change. For one, minimize your child's exposure to television commercials. Take control of the constant marketing bombardment and play DVDs or watch public television." Organic food is less about marketing and more about the quality of the taste and the product.

Education is Key
"When shopping with your children, avoid certain aisles or shop at the natural food grocers or farmers markets, where conventional products simply aren't available," advises Dr. Greene. Dr. Pennington suggests involving children in the shopping and meal preparation process. "Education is key," she says. "Educate them as to why organic foods are better for them." For example, invite your children to help you prepare an organic trail mix.

"Emphasize that food is fuel, and note the positive aspects of organic foods," says Dr. Pennington. "Avoid simply stating that the other foods are 'bad' and explain to your child why the natural foods are a better choice." Use examples tots can relate to, such as "Popeye eats spinach to stay strong" or "Bugs Bunny's carrots make him see better and run faster."

Consistency is critical, so expect a long haul during the transition process. "Avoid the trap of succumbing to your child's insistence for conventionally processed foods," says Dr. Greene. Sweets and goodies should be used sparingly.

A Little Bit of Creativity and Patience
Dr. Greene emphasizes that young children must try new foods at least six to nine times before developing a taste for them. "It takes a great deal of patience and consistency to introduce new foods in a manner that the child will eventually, and happily, accept," he says. "Encourage your child to sample small bits of different foods." Don't consider the transition a failure if they temporarily backslide.


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