How to Cook Healthy Food for Kids : Early Exposure of Ma Po Hot and Spicy Tofu Increases Acceptance

In a previous post, I discussed the importance of exposing your kids to a variety of foods early and often: http://doctorchrisko.blogspot.com/2013/10/cooking-for-your-kids-chicken-about.html
Multiple studies have shown that early and frequent exposure to a variety of foods increases food acceptance.  In fact, some report that it takes as much as twelve exposures for a kid to accept a particular food that they did not initially accept.

Another advantage of early exposure is that it allows for kids to become familiar with a particular food before developing a preconceived notion about that food.  In effect, just as in life, early exposure breaks down stereotypes.  For instance, many adults eschew tofu due to a preconceived notion that tofu is invariably bland and flavorless.  In fact, tofu is quite versatile and can be used as a carrier of a great many flavor profiles.

In the following clip, entitled "Kung-fu Tofu", I show you just how flavorful tofu can be while also breaking down further stereotypes: