My kid is the carbohydrate king. It’s pretty much all I can get him to eat most of the time. I picked him up from daycare a few days ago and asked him what he ate for lunch (they serve a little kid buffet kind of thing that includes protein, fruits and vegetables).  I said, “So Sweetie, what’d you eat for lunch?”

His honest reply, “Ummm. Graham crackers. Bread. And goldfish.”

Thank God I give this kid a daily multi-vitamin, eh?

CHEERIOS

When Alex first starting eating solid food there were Cheerios all over my house and my car and at the bottom of my purse. I cleaned up so many errant, partially masticated Cheerios I felt as though I could add this special skill to my resume:

Can spot a single Cheerio on beige carpet at fifty paces.

Plus Cheerios have books and games they sell so your kids can learn to count and stuff using their favorite food. That’s pretty nifty.

GOLDFISH CRACKERS

Then *POOF* one day Cheerios became completely passe and were left at the side of the munchy road in lieu of goldfish crackers.

Now my favorite thing about goldfish crackers is the depiction of the fish characters on the boxes. The “plain goldfish” are shown as cheerful and friendly. Happy even despite the knowledge of their sure fate.

The colored goldfish while bright do make me feel like “ostrich mommy” sticking my head in the sand of nutrition. I mean really what type of horrific dyes is my boy consuming with these? They’re too pretty to be healthy. However, to help  me get over my fear, the colored goldfish don rainbow tinted sunglasses perched on their heads.

But my favorite fish attire…oh, yes you’ll be proud…is featured on the whole grain goldfish. They wear sporty bike helmets. Clearly the superior choice when seeking to encourage good healthy eating habits in your kids.

These handy visual aids have eased my shopping experience many a time, let me tell you.

CORN POPS

The goldfish are still here, but Corn Pops have replaced them as the crunchy carbohydrate of choice. Since I am a 40-something mommy, I do appreciate the fact that their bright yellow glow makes them easier to spot beneath the back seat of the mini-van. However, on the nutrition scale these bad boys are nowhere to be found.

In conclusion, I have no idea whatsoever what to say about my child’s eating habits. Thankfully at this moment in his life, he has the metabolism of a hummingbird. Two weeks ago at preschool they did a “veggie taste test” and reported on a large poster what each kid liked best. Alex ate celery (you know the Wonder Pets eat that) and sugar snap peas. So at least there are two green items in existence on the planet that my child will consume. And that make me feel like a good mom. Silly isn’t it? But it’s true.

Cynthia Werry is a freelance writer and mommy who firmly believes that laughter is the best ab workout available. Cynthia lives in San Jose, CA with her son Alex and husband Dave. Read her blog at The Good Enough Witch.