That’s not a “food jag”—it’s a phase than in most children lasts for years. By the time kids are old enough to outgrow it (in my case, I was about 11 or 12), they’re going to build their array of adult likes and dislikes based on what their peers eat. And that process lasts a long time, too.

So, again, I do believe in with presenting young children with an array of healthy choices. I also believe in allowing them to decide what to eat and what not to eat among the choices provided, and to let your menus be informed—not dictated—by your children’s preferences. I see a lot of parents get really stressed out about their obviously-thriving children’s diets. That makes me sad.

I should add that the recipes in Petit Appétit were some of my favorites in any of the kid-food cookbooks I’ve looked at so far.

Even if you believe your child will still only like unhealthy foods - where is the harm in trying to introduce a healthy variety? At the very least your family will get a balance - certainly better than all junk food. I agree with many other posts that there is a familiarity factor with food and children. For example my son will always choose a dark (usually bran) muffin if at a coffee house or bakery stand over a light colored option. That’s because we always bake with whole wheat flour at home and that’s what is familiar to him. I’m not saying he wouldn’t like those with all white flour (he’d eat those too) - but he gravitates to what he knows.

I don’t think of offering a variety of foods and flavors as “convenient and fun” (although it can be). The hope and focus is on trying to establish healthy eating habits.

I think you probably have it right about realizing that picky eating is kid stuff. The usual anecdote I tell is about how I starting eating sushi in my 20s because of peer pressure.

We had a kid at camp this summer who ate only graham crackers, granola bars, and applesauce. Her mommy sent us a note saying so. Amazingly, she appeared to be healthy; she also appeared to be VERY proud of being such a picky eater. (I think she was about eight.)

When you say “familiarity,” are you talking about what’s in the house or intangible cultural factors floating around?

Frankly, I’m more interested in what happens between, say, ages 10 and 18, when most people’s diets become much more varied. I’ve said this before, but there are plenty of people who are picky eaters until their first day of college.

This is all hazy, little-understood, and ripe for idle speculation.