<<Especially for Families

Is a picky eater making mealtimes less than pleasant in your household? Here’s a tip to help break his or her stranglehold on the family’s mealtime fun: Whatever dish you’re serving, top it with melted cheese! Think about it:

Are there any kids who don’t like cheese? Not many.

And what dish can’t be enhanced with a little cheese? Again, not many.

Use these facts to your advantage. Serving a new casserole? Top it with cheese. How about a new vegetable? Sprinkle grated cheese on top. This month’s recipe for Open-Faced Italian Sandwiches is a perfect case in point: For adults it can be made with just a sprinkling of fresh parmesan cheese. For kids it can be topped with kid-friendly mozzarella cheese.

But what about the fat and calories? It’s true that cheese is high in fat and calories, but here are three things to keep in mind. As a general rule, kids don’t have to worry about these things to the same degree as adults. Secondly, it takes only a moderate coating of cheese to serve as a diversion. Finally, this strategy is only intended for temporary, transitional purposes. Gradually reduce the amount of cheese so it is no longer a crutch, allowing your child’s taste buds to mature and appreciate the true taste of a vegetable or other dish.

Picky Eater Tip of the Month

Employ the Magic of Cheese

Those who shop together enjoy mealtimes together