DEAR ABBY: I have a wonderful, loving, hard-working husband with one flaw. He is 24 years old and has literally spent 19 years of his life eating nothing but dairy, bread and pasta. We have been married more than two years, and he has only recently begun eating meat.
When I try to encourage him to try fruits or vegetables, he refuses and makes excuses. He'll even claim he is full and stop eating to avoid trying new things. I have managed cooking separately so far, but now we have an 18-month-old and I very worried that she will start imitating her father's poor eating habits. What can I do? I'm afraid for his health and for my daughter's future health. -- TERRIBLY TIRED OF CHEESE IN IOWA
DEAR TIRED OF CHEESE: Visit your nearest bookstore and look for a cookbook for parents of children who are finicky eaters like your husband. One was written in the last few years by Jessica Seinfeld (Jerry's wife), which details how to "sneak" healthy ingredients into broths and spaghetti sauces so they get their vitamins. That way you can feed your child and your spouse meals they will accept while providing proper nourishment -- and they'll be none the wiser.