olives and toddlers

[veritysims]

i love green olives and usually have an open jar in the fridge. My two year old son asked if he could have one and (thinking he would say ugh and spit it out) i let him. well would u believe he loved it and now asks for them everyday. I allow him a few and I would like to know if this is okay? i am concerned about the salt content. Is is too much for a 2 yr old? Do olives have any nutritional benefits at all?

[smudge]

Thought you might like to read this Verity:

http://www.aish.com/family/cooking/The_Olive_Explosion.asp

[nykkieberry]

My son became addicted to olives - and I mean addicted - at the age of two. We went to Spain on holiday and it's all he would eat (and all he did eat for a week!) It was very bizarre seeing this toddler literally begging for more olives! He still would eat them by the jar if I let him - and we have to buy him a jar every week. I just try to limit his intake. He's now five and has a taste for feta cheese, stilton, salmon and tuna steak, anchovies, balsamic vinegar, spicy mexican and indian food, coffee and even red wine! (both in small quantities!) It's very odd that he has such sophisticated tastes but all I can put it down to is he doesn't have a normal child's sweet tooth. We also do a lot of med and vegetarian cooking at home so from when he was weaned, he experimentated with more exotic tastes. Anyway, the point is, it's not done him any harm, and everything in moderation! Keep encouraging your son with new tastes and experiences. I have never refused to let my son try anything 'adult' and never cooked separately for him and it has paid off. He eats incredibly well for a five year old (particularly under constant peer pressure from class mates to eat cheese strings, crisps and chocolate biscuits), prefers fruit to cake as a desert and can reel off what's healthy food and what's not at the drop of the hat. He's not a freak though - he still likes cake and chocolate like the rest of us!

[Cheekyteddy]

I think perspective is needed. One or two olives won't do any harm but because of the salt content I would limit it to this small amount.

My daughter is nearly 8 and I still only allow her to have 2-3 packs of crisps per week and often she will not have that much.

She is also able to recognise what is healthy and unhealthy but is not obsessed and loves her sweets on a friday and saturday.

[ann_h]

My son has also always liked olives (black ones, though) especially with houmous and salad. Bless.

Anyway, If you put some of the olives in another container with cooled boiled water, they should keep fine for a few days and most of the salt will soak out.   I don't see why he shouldn't be allowed a good handful then, both as the oil is good for you and to encourage his taste for different foods.

[nykkieberry]

Add coarse grain mustard to that list after last night!!!!! I'm starting to worry he's a 30 year old in disguise!