Making mealtime fun and switching things up are 2 keys to unlocking the adventurous eater in your child.  One thing that we do is experiment with dips with the meal.  What child doesn’t love dipping?  Not only can they create new tastes, consistencies, and combinations but they can be artists with creating their own combinations.  Which makes them feel pretty powerful and in control of what goes into their mouth.  Here are some dips that we’ve used and created for Brooklyn.  We allow her to dip whatever she wants into whatever she wants- there are no rules!  (Which she loves too- and helps her grow into a more adventurous eater.)

  1.  Mustard.  She loves the sour taste and beautiful color.  We sometimes mix with mayo which is a combination my grandmother taught us with a cauliflower dish she makes.
  2. Hummus & mashed avocado or pre-made guacamole.
  3. Yogurt with hummus and a touch of Everything but the Bagel seasoning.
  4. Yogurt with mashed avocado or pre-made guacamole.
  5. Yogurt with dill and sea salt.
  6. Hummus blended with veggies of your choice.  We love doing spinach and hummus in our NutriBullet.
  7. Pesto- store bought like Trader Joe’s Vegan Cashew Pesto or you can easily make your own.  We’ve mixed yogurt with pesto as well.
  8. Ketchup and mayo for a thousand island type of dip.
  9. Mild salsa with any of the above.
  10. Pureed beans (black or cannelli beans work best) with different seasonings like sea salt or all purpose seasoning.  You can also mix the beans with any of the above.

Having fun at the table doesn’t mean a mess or chaos.  Playful parenting at mealtime can enhance the experience and create a positive vibe that is needed for your family.  Do you have any dip tips or crazy concoctions that work for your family?  Comment below!!

Simply Yours,

Michelle Mansfield Blog

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