Summary:
Deceptively Delicious is a book by Jessica Seinfeld that provides simple secrets to get kids eating healthy food by hiding nutritious ingredients in their favorite meals.
Book Genre:
Non-fiction, cookbook, parenting, health, nutrition
Main Topic:
The book focuses on the challenges parents face in getting their children to eat healthy and provides practical tips and tricks to sneak in nutritious ingredients into their meals.
Key Ideas:
- Creating healthier versions of kids’ favorite meals by including pureed fruits and vegetables.
- Emphasizing the importance of balanced meals and introducing children to a variety of flavors and textures.
- Getting kids involved in meal planning and preparation to make them more interested in trying new foods.
Main Parts and Summary:
- Part 1: Introduction
- Introduces the premise of the book and the author’s personal journey to feeding her children healthy meals.
- Emphasizes the importance of nutrition for growing children and the struggles many parents face in getting their kids to eat healthy.
- Part 2: The Puree Pantry
- Provides a comprehensive list of purees made from fruits and vegetables that can be added to different recipes.
- Includes tips on how to puree and store ingredients for future use.
- Part 3: Breakfast
- Offers creative and nutritious breakfast recipes such as French toast with sweet potato puree and scrambled eggs with peas and carrots.
- Suggests ways to incorporate vegetables into smoothies and pancakes.
- Part 4: Lunch
- Shares lunch options like quesadillas with hidden vegetables and mac and cheese with cauliflower puree.
- Provides ideas for nutritious sides such as pureed sweet potato fries and fruit kabobs.
- Part 5: Dinner
- Includes dinner recipes like meatloaf with hidden veggies and chicken stir-fry with pureed butternut squash.
- Offers tips for adding nutrition to family meals like tacos and pizza.
- Part 6: Snacks and Beverages
- Provides healthier alternatives for kid-friendly snacks like chicken nuggets and chocolate chip cookies.
- Shares ideas for fun and nutritious drinks such as fruit and vegetable smoothies and flavored waters.
- Part 7: On Their Way
- Discusses challenges parents may face in getting their kids to eat healthy and offers solutions for picky eaters.
- Includes advice for incorporating more fruits and vegetables into meals and transitioning to whole foods as children grow.
Key Takeaways:
- Sneaking in pureed fruits and vegetables is a great way to increase the nutrition of kids’ favorite meals.
- Meal planning and involving kids in the cooking process can make them more open to trying new foods.
- Balanced meals and variety are essential for good nutrition and healthy eating habits.
Author Background and Qualifications:
Jessica Seinfeld is a cookbook author and philanthropist. She is also the wife of comedian Jerry Seinfeld and mother of three children. She has a passion for healthy eating and started the non-profit organization GOOD+ Foundation, which provides low-income families with resources and support for healthy eating and parenting.
Target Audience:
Parents of young children who struggle with getting their kids to eat healthy, as well as anyone looking for creative and nutritious recipes.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
The book was published by William Morrow Cookbooks on October 2007.