This Mom Shares the Key to Getting Kids to Eat Healthy & it Doesn’t Involve Force

Jamie & her son left, delicious vege tacos right

By Erickka Sy Savané

For many moms, getting our kids to eat foods that are healthy and good for them is like pulling teeth.  If it ain’t fried or dipped in sugar they don’t want it. At the same time though, we bare the responsibility because they can’t eat what we don’t put in front of them. But it doesn’t mean that we don’t know that eating well is the key to a long, healthy life, and setting up good habits now, while our kids are still young, is essential. So what’s a well-meaning mom who wants to do better to do? For the answer we turn to Jamie D. Rhoden, mom of two boys, ages 13 and 14 years old. Jamie has been working at popular, Marcus Samuelson-owned Red Rooster in Harlem for the past 6 years, going from server assistant to supervisor, to working in pastry, and having some of her own recipes featured on the menu. Coming from a background that is Puerto Rican, Jamaican, and Irish, Jamie grew up between Atlanta, DC, and Los Angeles, eating a wide range of delicious foods that she’s been passing down to her boys, right along with background stories. Safe to say, her sons eat everything she places in front of them, always have, and she’s going to share how we can get our kids to do the same.


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Jamie with her dad

Do you come from a family that likes to cook?

Shrimp Wonton Tacos (peep this mom always uses a paper plate!) What should a parent do if their kids don’t seem to like veges? I used to sneak it in noodles, salads…pasta sauce hides veggies well. Roasted, boiled with butter make a difference in taste. First thing for parents is you have to eat them too. If you talk about veggies while grocery shopping they are more likely to question how they eat them.  What is the key to getting kids to eating foods that are good for them, but not necessarily kid friendly? Honestly the cooking channel and if the funds are available try a new cuisine at a new restaurant and also make it a learning experience of other cultures, and your own family history. What’s a mistake that a lot of moms/parents make when it comes to what their kids eat?  They allow the kids to choose what they want and just make it or make something frozen or a quick meal.

Chicken meatballs prepped and ready to go!

What’s your favorite to cook?
My favorite is my grandfather’s soup. Red pea soup.

How can moms find new recipes or inspiration to break out of the normal food routine? 
That happens to me too, it is so common especially if you don’t feel adventurous. Thankfully there are so many different ways of cooking styles and cuisines, that help you think outside the box. Myself, I am not a leftover person, I enjoy a different meal every day which makes it more challenging, but also expands my variety.

Hmmm…this mommy says ‘Bruschetta is betta’ Hard not to like veges on cibatta garlic bread. Simple and delish!

Turkey meatball parmesan sandwhich with fried zucchini

1) Always try and think of what you loved as a kid. 2) Make it fun and a learning experience of other cultures. 3) Think of family members that you might have that cooked your favorites as a child.

Jamie’s two sons

Follow Jamie on IG!

Have you figured out the key to getting your kids to eat healthy?