Recipes NATHHAN families are Using

(Editor's note:These were sent in by a NATHHAN family such a long time ago, we've lost track of who it was! Nevertheless, here are some fun ways to entice those little ones of ours who are not blessed with hearty appetites. Some are on medications that reduce normal feelings of hunger, or maybe they just plain have a hard time getting food down the hatch. When every morsel counts, Moms need to get really creative in not only making food look fun and appealing to eat, but taste, calories or other details are very important.)

The Kid Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook

by Pamela J. Compart, M.D. and Dana Laake, R.D.H., M.S., L.D.N.

    Here are some suggestions from NATHHAN parents who are facing the feeding dilemma. A parent of a child who does not like to eat (or cannot), quickly learns to see that normal appetites in children are a blessing. It warms a mothers heart to see her family pile (politely) the food away; even if it costs a fortune! She knows they are happily working, playing and growing as a result of the nourishment she has provided. Here are a few suggestions for those moms who need to make mealtime\snacks something out of the ordinary.

* Serve food on a contrasting color plate. Color appeal seems to work for some children. At least it works for turkey farmers!

* Serve smaller amounts per serving. It doesn't look so intimidating.

* The great snack debate totally depends on your child and the success you have. Nevertheless a common thread of success seems to be getting children on a schedule.

* Have your child help prepare the food, such as their own loaf of bread, meatloaf or a special good-for-you pie or cookie. Even if they can only watch, listen or smell you prepare it, the very act seems to stimulate the appetite and create an atmosphere of anticipation.

* Getting the whole family used to fresh, wholesome food will make meals satisfying and a rewarding time for everybody. Jading taste buds with too much salt, MSG, and other additives create a false sense of what tastes "good."

* Using fruits in season, encourage plenty of fiber. If a child is constipated, they will not feel like adding more to the tummy. Would you?

* Using cookie cutters, create shapes which appeal to your child. An example would be, a slice of cheese cut into a star or dinosaur placed on a slice of bread, open-face.

* Pancakes can be made into pancake men, flowers, teddy bears and animals of all kinds. Simply pour the batter from a spoon onto the sizzling griddle into the shape you desire.

Use raisins for eyes, blueberries for buttons, or carob chips for toes.