Ranch dressing is the enemy.

Okay.  Maybe I’m exaggerating a little.  But I am passionate about this topic.

Here’s what my sweet parents in the room need to hear.  The issues you have with food, you got from your PARENTS.  Well, that was the start of it anyway.  We truly do crave what we eat.  Do you crave soda?  Are sweets nearly impossible for you to give up for Lent?  Or maybe you need salt on everything.  Think about where that started.  Think about what you ate as a child.

Now, before you start disowning your parents, think about what you are feeding your own children.   Our taste buds are essentially formed from birth through age 7.  Right now, YOU are giving your child a gift of nutrition.  What will that gift be?  Is it a hunger and craving for fresh fruits and veggies, or is it the taste of soda that they will ALWAYS have to have with lunch?  Will they ask for it?  Absolutely.  But we get to decide what’s best for them.

Enter…ranch dressing.  Love the Hidden Valley commercial, don’t you?  With children bursting open pinatas full of carrot and celery sticks and eating broccoli from the ice cream truck that doesn’t give ice cream but instead gives veggies.  I have one problem with that.  WE CAN DO BETTER.  If we automatically slather ranch dressing all over our kids’ produce we are training their pallets to crave saturated fat every time they see a vegetable.  Psst.  Your kids don’t even have to know ranch dressing exists.  If you MUST eat saturated fat with your veggies, HIDE IT FROM THEM.  Yes, eventually they will grow up and possibly require counseling because you never gave them syrup on their pancakes, Little Debbie in their lunch box, or ketchup on everything.  But rest assured, their waistlines, heart health, and tongues will thank you.

 

If your children are older and you have always been giving them ranch dressing with their veggies, switch it up on them.  Try this recipe sent to me from one of my stellar mommy clients this week.  If they are under the age of 7, they won’t even notice.

And remember. It’s okay to say no.  They’ll only cry for a little while.

Veg-Wee Dip (Makes 1/2 Cup)

1/2 Cup Plain Yogurt ( I use Greek yogurt)
1 Tsp Spike Seasoning
1 Tsp Lemon Juice

Accompaniments: raw or steamed veggies such as baby carrots, celery, cucumber, fennel, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, or jicama

1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir.
2. Serve.

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