Food Fight
When a book called Deceptively Delicious was recently published, it prompted a double-barreled debate about ethics—those of its author and that of its premise.
Surprisingly, “Deceptively Delicious” is a cookbook.
Subtitled “Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food”, the book extols the strategy of deceiving finicky young eaters by hiding veggies in the few foods they deign to down. Pureed spinach in the brownies. Pureed cauliflower in the mac and cheese.
The book’s author, Jessica Seinfeld—aka, Mrs. Jerry Seinfeld—was soon accused of plagiarism by the writer of a competing cookbook who claimed to have camouflaged carrots long before Ms. Seinfeld buried beets in chocolate cake. The writer sued the Seinfelds after noting “uncanny similarities” between the two books.
Denying the charges, Ms. Seinfeld’s book shot to the top spot in its category on The New York Times best sellers list. But at the same time, an even more intense debate was being stirred by professionals and parents who claim that hiding the truth about vegetables from kids is an unethical and irresponsible form of deception.
“Lying to children via trickery—even ‘for their own good’—can feed a lifetime of distrust, as it should,” declared a famous food critic. A well-known nutritionist concurred: “It will not develop an appreciation of the flavors, textures, and interests of various vegetables.”
All of which prompted Ms. Seinfeld to put down her spoon and take to her website, asking these questions about food—if not life: “Does a hidden vegetable in a child’s food amount to lying? Is it ever okay to deceive children or do we owe them the whole truth—and the whole vegetables? Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, for instance, are outright fictions…with which the vast majority of parents in this country routinely choose to deceive their children. Is that wrong? I don’t think so.”
What do you think?
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FOODS THAT MY DAD GOT IN MY BROTHERS MOUTH THAT HE
My dad, Joe, would cut up mushrooms that my big brother, Matthew, hated. But, my brother would never notice because my dad cut them up so small.
TRELLA TEDDY TROMETER | 8 months ago
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Ms
I agree with all those who find it silly to consider the hiding of veggies in children’s food to be some big, moral, trust issue. Get a grip!
What’s next, outlawing Flintstones vitamins, gravy, melted cheese and pigs in the blanket as deceptive food practices?
Parents are the adults. They shouldn’t have to explain every little thing they do for their kids’ well being.
And if the kid asks what is in a meal, I see no problem with Mom saying something contains her own “secret ingredient”, which she will divulge when the child is old enough to cook.
Elizabeth Hagan | 7 months, 3 weeks ago
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I need A chiled recipe yo!!
Up in the his house I need you to help me out.
Meva rox Hernandas | 7 months, 2 weeks ago
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Food Fight - see you in Therapy over tooth fairies
I bought this cookbook when my daugher was 1 year old. It has some recipes suitable for a toddler, but most are geared toward preschoolers and older.
If not disclosing to a toddler that there is cauliflower in her scrambled eggs can lead to therapy, then all those in jail for committing serious crimes should be pardoned in the case that they were led to believe in far greater betrayals our society…..
Susan Gyopar | 7 months, 2 weeks ago
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N/A
This debate assumes that kids even CARE what’s in their food. I think they’re after the taste, nothing more. I’ve never once had a kid ask me…“this is good, what’s in it?” It’s my job to make sure it’s as nutritious as it can be.
Melissa Miller | 7 months, 1 week ago
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food
good food is good for you
chelsakosa | 7 months ago
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Certified Executive Chef
I liked the book. As a personal chef in Ct. families are trying to feed thier kids more veggies…it works well. As for the Easter bunny, Santa (satan) claus and the tooth fairy; well why not just tell them truth of those holidays instead of using pagan traditions to get them away fromt the real truth of the holidays…oh and what about Halloween now that we’re on the subject. Kids need truth whether in food, fun, advertising, religion and loosing teeth. The truth sets us free. Makes sense to me.
Debra Queen | 6 months, 3 weeks ago
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boo
bad idea
amy losis lola | 6 months, 3 weeks ago
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Open your recipe file
How is making healthy recipes now considered unethical or deceitful? I put lots of ingredients into recipes that I make and I certainly do not publish a detailed list of what is in each. If I choose to add vegetable protein or shredded carrots to my spaghetti and my guests eat it, do I now have to “come clean” as to the secret to my sauce?
If children eat vegetables and appreciate them, that is great. If they do not, and parents can cook with them, then great. I think the people who argue about what is in the food, are missing the point. Unless they confess to everyone who eats any of their dishes, any and all ingredients within their recipes, they should keep their opinions to themselves and be thankful that parents WANT to feed their children more healthy.
Grow up | 6 months, 3 weeks ago
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introducing nutricious foods early
I have noticed that the canned and boxed toddler foods available on the shelves in the grocery store are loaded with salt and do not taste good, therefore it is very difficult to feed them to children being weened from baby food. Sometimes it’s hard to measure how much food they are consuming from the table because it takes so long for them to chew what we normally find easy to chew. I do hide mild peppers, in home made mac-n-cheese and the toddler loves it, but would love to share some recipes with others if you have them?! He likes bananas, apple sauce and dry nutritional cereal but I’m running out of ideas. I might add he is lactose intolerant and is drinking Soy milk, so puddings are out unless I make them myself. Please email any and all suggestions!
Ruthie Schneider | 6 months, 3 weeks ago
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