How not to eat your kid’s leftovers

July 4, 2:56 PMMoms' Health ExaminerMonica Silvestro

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If you’re a mom with a child who eats food in any form thicker than applesauce, you’ve likely stolen a bite off their plate.  Maybe it was while they were eating lunch and you had a hankering for their chicken nugget.  Or perhaps you were putting their plate in the sink and thought--why waste good food?    Whether or not you’re worried about the starving children in Africa, if you’re not hungry you don’t really need to eat the food.  And if you’re battling with managing a healthy weight, then there’s even more of an impetus to keep your hands away from their mac’n’cheese.   

Here are some tips and tricks to help you manage Lingering Leftover Syndrome:

1. Make everything on their plate healthy:   If the food on your kid’s plate is healthy, then there’s no problem with you eating their leftovers (as long as you’re actually hungry).  Many parents cook differently for their kids because they have picky eaters who “will only eat microwaved pizza bagels or starve.”  If a child has never met a pizza bagel, then they won’t know what they’re missing when you serve them homemade soup.   Of course, only a mother of a picky eater can really know what they’re up against—those kids can be darn stubborn.  Make sure you always offer a variety of healthy options on their plate with their favorites at every meal  even if you think they won’t eat it.  If they keep seeing grapes and peas on their plate, they’ll always have the option for something healthy, even next to the “my kid will only eat nuggets” chicken nugget.   Then, when you are clearing their plate, if you are hungry, you’ll have something healthy to nibble on, too.
2. Have your own meal at the same time as your children:  It is tempting to get something done while your child is eating—perhaps you can wash the breakfast dishes or even fold laundry.  But if you’re eating your meal while your child eats, then you’re less likely to want to pick from their food since your mouth will already be working and you won’t be hungry.  And, as a bonus, you’ll be spending quality time with your kids.   If your child isn’t old enough to talk, then sing songs between bites or talk away anyway—they’re still reaping the benefits.  If your child can hold a conversation, then ask open-ended questions (ones that won’t garner the answer “yes” or “no”) to get them to think creatively.  While they’re talking, chew your bites thoroughly.
3. Create a mantra:  A mantra is a sentence or phrase that you repeat to yourself to help support an action you want to take.  Keep it simple and keep it relevant to you.  Some examples:

• I do not need to eat this PB&J, it’s better off going to waste in the trashcan than going to waste in my body.  
• It is not my personal responsibility to rid the world of macaroni and cheese
• If I still want these leftovers when I’m actually hungry, I can have them, but I do not need to eat them now.
• Crackers will exist tomorrow, I do not NEED to have them right now.
• This food is not as good as it looks…and it doesn’t even look that good

If you make the decision to make mealtime for your family mostly about healthy foods and decide that you are strong enough to avoid picking at the leftovers on your child’s plate, then you will feel empowered and strong about all the choices you can make for yourself throughout the day.

And for those whose kids only eat nuggets—here’s a homemade version that’s not as high in sodium as the frozen kind and you know exactly what is in them.

Homemade Chicken Nuggets

• 2 chicken breasts or 3 thighs, cut into nugget-sized chunks
• 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
• 1 cup whole grain flake cereal (look for 3 grams of fiber per serving or more on the label)
• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.  
2. Place flake cereal in a plastic bag and crush very finely using a rolling pin (this is a fun way to get your children involved!) or pulse in a food processor.
3. Add bread crumbs to the flakes in a shallow bowl and add a dash of salt and pepper and any other seasonings you like.
4. In a separate shallow bowl whisk the eggs.  
5. Coat each nugget in the egg, then roll nugget in the cereal mixture.  (Tip: Use one hand to put chicken in the egg and that same hand to drop the egg-covered chicken onto the breadcrumb mixture. Use the other hand only to cover the nugget with the cereal mixture—this will prevent you from breading your own fingertips). 
6. Coat each piece evenly and place the pieces on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until nuggets are golden and cooked through.