I am quite amazed at the amount of people on this board who are sickened by the thought of clams and squid here in the states. These food are everyday staples and it's amazing to think that these staples were never introduced into a child's diet since the beginning.

Personally, I'm french but I have lived all my life in the states. But I thrive on all different kinds of dishes. Mussels, clams, paella (with squid sounds delish!), calamari. All this seafood is just wonderful. But I find that most seafood here is salmon and catfish and is almost always fried.

What is the reason for American culture lacking these delicious staples? I was raised on all this food and never considered any of it to be revolting looking or anything. Personally, I see fish and I can't wait to eat it!

It seems that America is one of the few cultures that gives the image of seafood being "fishy" and "slimey" and "gross" before the children even had the chance to taste it! And because of these images, they refuse to even try those foods. Personally it's rather ridiculous. I knew some Japanese people were amazed when they went to a grocery store and didn't see any octopus available. Cause, why would any one person eat octopus here? What a revolting thought! Tentacles and slimeyness. Who cares what it tastes like, right?

And of course there will always be times that one doesn't like a food. But at least they got the chance to be tried!

French television doesn't have kids saying "Ew! Brocolli! Gross!" But in tv, every tv show I've seen has had at least one image of a kid shoving their vegetables across the table. Personally, I prefer meat over veggies but I still appreciate them very much.

As well, as the issue of the bad image seafood and veggies get, the grocery counters here are stocked with foods like Oreos and Cheetos. Now, as a child, I did grow up here and I ate these things. But I only had a few cookies at a time. Hardly would I scarf down more than four or five cookies. And my lunches were handmade with peanut butter sandwiches and fruits and yogurts, peanuts, etc... All healthy and balanced. But it all tastes good! And every once in a while I'd get those delicious Dunkaroos. But those snack packs were so small that it was perfect to get a little taste of sweet but not excessive. And sodas were not brought into the house. Not because they were bad, but because well... they don't taste good.

I mean, I love living here in the states, but I do think that American culture for an early image gives to children the idea that certain foods are gross just because the parents weren't raised with proper ideals of food. When is America going to learn that variation in food will help make your kids healthy and happy, and appreciative of food!? Until then though, they'll just continue to ban non-pasteurized french cheeses and won't allow any of the good stuff over. A loss for the American public, I think.

You bring up some very vaid points to the discussion.

*grins* I agree that a lot of it is what we, as kids, learn. I think my mom got to me before the TV did, because I like a lot of fruits and veggies. Half the time, I prefer them to meat (if they're fresh). It also made me more willing to try new food. Also mom's fault! *grins*

The seafood thing, personally, I don't like. I've tried it, and it's not that it's slimy, I just hate the taste. Well, except sushi and shrimp! Still, though, some of it just something the kids won't like. I really wish they'd give the food a chance, though.

Exactly exactly!
Giving food a chance!

Because obviously not everyone is going to like particular types of food. I like vegetables but only cooked certain ways in particular dishes. I can't eat them raw.

And as for seafood, personally, I don't like oysters. Urchin is good but it has to be super super fresh and I've only had that in a very nice restaurant in Japan. It's just scary when kids try say flounder, and say, uck! I don't like FISH! And then they leave out salmon, and shrimp and shellfish, etc... Sounds like as soon as they see a crawfish they'd start trying to run away which is so unfortunate as crawfish is delicious! (Speaking of, crawfish season is almost over - end of the month - so get it while it's hot!)

I'm just appalled at seeing kids refusing to eat things they never tried. I admit I spit out a few raw tomatoes in my life but I had already tried them and knew I didn't like them.

Plus, now that I'm older, I like to go back and try a few things I may not have liked a few years ago. Your palette changes and it's important to continuously challenge your tongue.

You make some very good points...and I agree. I too love many kinds of fish, properly prepared. Except not mussels...since I think of them as bait. And oysters, which requires more bravery than I have.

We here in the states don't have what used to be called "home economics" since both members of the family/non-family unit must work, just to pay for the crappy apartment. Food is considered "good" if it's fast & tasty...thus the fish fingers & fried fishburgers. When they're lucky, a couple can afford a child or two, but not the time to cook for them or supervise them. (That's basically my cynical take on it.)

I agree that kids should be expected to have a bite of something unfamiliar...and you can use any tactic you like: "You might like it!" or "This will be a new experience for you." but of course if the kids are generally undisciplined, they'll just nag for what they want.

Truly kids should be disciplined and educated.
I believe that those who are taught at a young age the variety in life whether it is food or culture or art will grow up with a greater appreciation of what they do and a greater affinity to try new things.

As for both family members having to work and thus not having time to work is I think an excuse for lazyness. Both my parents work (one an engineer and the other works in a pharmaceutical company) but we always had dinner at around the same time (7:30pm) and my mom cooked a fresh meal every night.
And the whole family worked at dinner. My brothers and I would set the table, my mom cooked, and my father did the dishes. Dinner was and is about enjoying the food and the company you're with. Not how fast you can eat to make sure you catch your show on tv. And tv dinner trays? Not in my house!

My boyfriend's family is very "American" (according to my definition of American) and I was amazed that his mother cooked (not good food though, I may add), and set the table and cleared. His father didn't talk and would leave the table early and watch tv. But table etiquette is another topic in itself.

Why is it that on this show, supper isn't looked at as family time as much as it could be? One parent in the kitchen, or kids in the kitchen, but never everyone helping out together. What does everyone think?

quote:

What is the reason for American culture lacking these delicious staples? I was raised on all this food and never considered any of it to be revolting looking or anything. Personally, I see fish and I can't wait to eat it!

If you don't live near a substantial body of water, it's hard to get good seafood in the states. We're in Montana right now, and have given up on seafood until we move somewhere where there's acutally water. When I lived on the East Coast, we lived on seafood because it was fresh and good.

I read through the messages above - LOTS of cultures have a food that other cultures think is gross - not just Americans! For example, toasted crickets are eaten in Mexico, pudding made from blood in England, the thyroid gland of animals (as well as thier brains!) in France and pure whale fat in the northernmost reaches of Canada. What I take issue with is that the nutritionist tries to force foods that are obviously considered 'gross' on these families. That is NOT the way to get them to eat healthy. It's a surefire way to get them to dream of good ol' American beef! She should work with the familiar 'base' foods - chicken, pork, turkey and beef. Taking such huge leaps isn't going to win any converts...another thought the seafoods mentioned are costly. Especially if you live anywhere except the extreme east or west coasts. I don't know about ya'll but if I have to feed a family on a budget my hot little hands are not going to be grabbing packages from the seafood department. Thoughts?

Dear Sixth,
yep. i agree with everything you said. so what that American food sources do not mirror France. to each his own. more importantly, America needs to put pressure on our food manufacturers to get the sugar, additives, and other cheap fillers (corn syrups/starch) out of our food sources. poor people are left out of the "healthy choices" in our markets because those products cost too much. heck, i don't consider myself poor, but even I can't afford much of said foods. when i do buy fresh fish it has to be on sale. love Orange Roughy but can only afford Talapia ! i'd have to sell my car to afford the squid. and in closing...give me a nice steak any day, and i'll balance it with a wonderful American salad.