Mikela Kinnison

Try these alternatives (salternatives?) in your favorite dishes.

If you’re a parent, I don’t have to tell you that mealtime is a struggle. There’s a reason why kids’ menus usually feature grilled cheese and hot dogs. So, when faced with transitioning my child to solid foods, I swore up and down that I wouldn’t raise a picky eater. Like many a modern mom, I embraced the idea of Baby Led Weaning. Coined by British PhD and former midwife Gill Rapley, the practice refers to the notion of mush-free mealtime.

I have a confession to make: My entire family is obsessed with a snack food that I initially purchased for my toddler. Like many new moms, I stressed over the importance of introducing peanut butter into my child’s diet. Too soon? Too late? A spoonful? A smudge?