 'There
are some pretty horrible foods out there for children'
Annabel Karmel talks to babyworld about her inspiration for her
job, tempting fussy eaters and the importance of essential fatty acids.
Oh, and how, like the rest of us, she turns to chocolate when the going
gets tough!
1. Why did you decide to go into children's food and nutrition?
It was the combination of losing my first - Natasha - who was born healthy
but died at 13 weeks from a viral infection and then the fact that my
second child Nicholas was such a fussy eater. My first book The Complete
Baby and Toddler Meal Planner was a way to give some meaning to Natasha's
short life.
2. When you were raising your children, what were the attitudes
surrounding nutrition?
Was food healthier or not? The majority of mothers
bought jars and everyone believed babies only liked bland food. Also babies
were introduced to solids earlier, at four months.
3. With your children, have you followed a pathway similar to how you
were raised or have you gone down a different route?
My mum was a good cook and so I have always tried to make my children
meals that are both tasty and healthy but don't take long to prepare.
4. Why do you think you have become so successful?
A combination of hard work and a passion for what I do. I love cooking
and developing recipes.
5. What is your superfood for babies and children: the
one that all kids should be eating?
Oily fish: it contains essential fatty acids that are very important for
brain and visual development. So make purees with salmon and sweet potato,
mini fish cakes flavoured with tomato ketchup and tasty stir fries with
salmon vegetables and noodles.
6. Is organic really better?
Organic is better for the environment but the jury is still out on
whether it is better for you. I would just rather see children eating
more fruit and vegetables.
7. Where do you stand on children following a vegetarian
diet? An adult vegetarian diet is fine; however, it tends to be bulky
and not suitable for little ones with small tummies. You need to include
nutrient-dense foods like eggs and cheese. Also iron deficiency is common
in vegetarian children. Boost the iron absorption of foods like spinach,
lentils, wholegrain cereals and dried apricots by including some vitamin
C, e.g.: orange juice or some sliced strawberries at the same meal. For
non-vegetarians I think it's important to include meat from seven months
as it is the richest source of iron and the iron a baby inherits from
his mother runs out at six months.
8. What's always in your cupboard at home: your never-out-of-stock
ingredients?
Pasta, rice, tinned tomatoes, tomato puree, onions and garlic.
9. How can you tempt children to eat when food has become
a battleground over wills rather than taste?
Your child will soon find there's no point in making a fuss if you don't
react. Simply remove the food but don't offer alternatives - a hungry
child will be a much less fussy child. If you have a confirmed vegetable
hater, blend vegetables into a tomato sauce, mash potato with carrot,
hide vegetables in pizzas, quesadillas, lasagne. Make ethnic-style dishes
like satay, teriyaki salmon, noodle stir fries. Or how about your own
healthy junk food like hamburgers made with lean minced beef and flavoured
with sautéed red onion, tomato chutney and thyme.
10. Are there any foods that you think children should
absolutely NOT eat?
There are some pretty horrible foods out there for children like Pop Tarts
for breakfast, sugary breakfast cereals, fruit juice drinks with less
than 10% juice. I'm also not keen on pepperoni or salami and anything
that is really fatty or contains high levels of salt.
11. How can parents instil good, healthy eating habits
from the start?
It's good to eat together and lead by example. Also if you start with
fresh prepared baby food, the transition to family meals will be much
easier.
12. Do you ever go to McDonald's or buy Fruit Shoots?
Yes, of course, and there's nothing wrong with the occasional visit to
a fast-food outlet or a packet of sweets or sugary drink
13. What is your comfort food - the one thing you turn
to when times get tough?
I love chocolate, especially those Lindt chocolates that look like balls
wrapped in different coloured foil with soft centres. I also love all
kinds of freshly baked bread.
 Annabel
Karmel's New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner (£14.99 hardback)
or The Fussy Eaters' Recipe Book (£14.99 hardback) are available
from Ebury Press.
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