Suggestions on feeding lunch to different age groups

[Inspired by Reggio]

I personally do not allow jarred food from home - I make all my own food and this allows me control over how quickly kids get to normal consistency food here as well as basically to cook one meal for everyone regardless of age or preference cause it is not about what they like but providing nutrient rich variety for me - I do not cater to picky eaters - IME if they are truly allowed to get hungry they learn to eat what is placed in front of them verses holding out for preferred foods they assume they will get if the refuse to eat other options - than I use the Magic bullet to purée to consistency needed if I have infants or chop with knife for others ... so in times prior when I had an 8 month old his food got zipped, the 15 month old got chopped a bit extra with knife and everyone else was normal....currently my youngest is 10 months and a sibling of a family I've had in care 4 years so they know my phiolosphy well and therefore this babe is already daycare ready and eating table foods on his own either with fingers or a spork with just a knife chopped consistency...he never had babe food straight to table foods with no purée food.

For infants with food restrictions due to age ...aka no fish until over 1 or no peanut butter until 2 I keep a selection of homemade options in freezer as back up ... so if we are having fish for example and babes not over a year yet I can pull out a serving of chicken or beef for that one kid that I'd put aside last time I'd made cooked some - so all I have to do is warm it up.

Works great for me - my kids are all basically awesome eaters the only time I have challenges is when I start a child whose older and not been here since infancy - and even than within a couple months picky eaters quickly learn here I do not care if they eat or not so without the picky water struggle they start eating cause they know of they do not nothing else but water if thirsty comes out until next schehdled meal time at which point they are hungry enough to choose to eat whatever is placed in front of them.

IMO picky eaters are a first world problem because we cultivate it with fears children will somehow be harmed if they miss a meal or snack and so adults cave and give them things they know they like to ensure they eat and kids even infants quickly pick up on this power they have of refusing to eat to get preferred foods ... reality is as long as they are drinking children can go a few DAYS without eating and be fine ... we do it everytime we get a stomach flu and have no choice cause food won't stay in

Everyday I eat foods I do not "like" because I know I need more variety to be healthy and eating healthy makes me feel better all around. Fact is food is supposed to be about healthy sustenance not meeting the emotional likes or needs we tend to make it here in North America ... IMO the earlier we teach children that the less likely they will grow up to have food related health issues like over eating, emotional eating and social over indulgence and so forth.

[BrightEyes]

For infants with food restrictions due to age ...aka no fish until over 1 or no peanut butter until 2 I keep a selection of homemade options in freezer as back up ... so if we are having fish for example and babes not over a year yet I can pull out a serving of chicken or beef for that one kid that I'd put aside last time I'd made cooked some - so all I have to do is warm it up.

Now studies actually show that it is better to introduce foods such as peanut butter, eggs, fish etc early. My daughter's pediatrician said to start introducing them as soon as she was eating solids.

I serve the same meal to all ages. Like the women above mentioned, I just blend, chop or cut accordingly. I bake sweet potato and steam all other organic veggies (keeps more nutrients than boiling) and then I keep them in the fridge up to 3 days. This way I only have to prep twice a week. I always give either whole wheat or whole grain bread unless I make whole wheat pasta which I may keep in the fridge for a day or two. Meat I make chicken, beef, eggs, beans etc or I give peanut butter or tuna. I give organic fruit for dessert. And milk is given at lunch (after their meal has been eaten) and water the rest of the day. Snacks are usually fruit and crackers, or cheese and fruit/crackers, yogurt etc. I keep it really simple. Easy for me, easy for the children!

[Inspired by Reggio]

Now studies actually show that it is better to introduce foods such as peanut butter, eggs, fish etc early. My daughter's pediatrician said to start introducing them as soon as she was eating solids. ...

Agreed ~ I still follow parents lead on when to introduce though and some of them have Dr's who are still old school and want them to have the MMR before eggs are given and so forth ... I want them to eat new things that are traditional 'allergen risks' at home first so if there is a reaction it occurs there ... reality is that all my baking contains 'nuts' anyway cause I use almond, pecan, coconut based flours verses wheat flour so they are getting 'nuts' as soon as they are old enough to have a muffin or homemade cookie .... just not 'peanuts or peanut butter' until the parent has done that at home first.