Some of my fondest memories of travel are associated with food. During the B.C. (Before Children ) years, we used to choose a destination in part because of the local cuisine. Unfortunately, our kids have yet to develop the sophisticated and adventurous taste buds their parents have. It’s not really a problem if we’re going somewhere where pizzas and hamburgers are also the norm. But it becomes more complicated when you find yourself asking for a translation when you’re reading the menu. My daughters, like most kids, are understandably wary about new tastes. So you can say we were forced by circumstances to be more creative about persuading the kids to try unfamiliar foods. Allow me to share with you some of the tricks I picked up:
- Introduce the type of food even before the trip – This is helpful for the customs as well. What we do is, days or even weeks before the trip, we try to do “test-runs”. We’d talk about the place, the places we would visit, the local customs and the local cuisine. We would bring the kids to a restaurant serving the same kind of food so they can try it out. With the world being so cosmopolitan now, I’m sure you’d find a restaurant specializing in that country’s cuisine. If not, try searching the net for simple recipes you can follow at home. This way, the kids will have an idea about what they’ll be eating, and they’ll find the experience less scary than usual.
- Pick familiar-tasting foods – You’re eager to try out the specialties. But don’t try to compete with Fear Factor. Look for food that has ingredients your kids are familiar with. For example, if you’re in SouthEast
Asia try the satay. It’s based from peanut butter, which I’m sure your kid has tried. But ask the cook to make it sweet, and to hold off on the spices. Restaurants usually will accommodate special requests, especially if you tell them it’s for the kids. Or, if you’re in Japan, let the kids try teriyaki – beef or chicken in sweet sauce. Leave the sushi for mom and dad, it’s safer that way, too.
Next post, I’ll continue the tips about teaching your kids to try new tastes. Happy Eating!