Tomatoes - A tried and true favorite

Last month I offered my 2.5 year old son eggplant parmesan with tomato sauce and he tried some and said mmm mmm as he was chewing. Of course when I eat anything that I want him to try I make a big deal out of how good it is while I chew too. So for the next 3 days I offered him the spaghetti. Only on the first day did he eat the eggplant. I offered it to him but he refused. I was okay with that because like the tomatoes he will eventually like eggplant too.

How we got here took over 3 years in the making. I've been a huge fan of tomatoes since forever. I really craved them during pregnancy and probably cooked a dish nearly every night for dinner that incorporated tomatoes. When my son started on mixed solids at 8 months, I offered him the stage 2 spaghetti and other options that included tomatoes and he would grimmace and refuse. Over the next 2 years, as with anything else I want him to experience, I offered tomatoes over and over and over again. Nothing. He didn't want anything to do with it.

So never give up on your kids. They say it typically takes about 15 exposures before your kids may show interest. With tomatoes, it has taken much longer.

Though I do have a secret to share. My son did not know that the gummies he eats that includes 17 fruits, veggies and grains includes TOMATOES!! So these 3 years of eating tomatoes, he finally likes it. This should tell you perseverance trumps all (and of course, a lot of patience).