fussy teens

motherbear

I'm wondering how I'm going to feed my daughter when we visit Dharamsala next year. She's outrageously faddy with her food, doesn't even like rice or pasta.

what kind of diversity is there in the area foodwise? I noticed at one site that there's an Italian restaurant in Lower Dharamsala, so pizza is one option! Still, she can't eat that every day for a month.

she has promised to try out some new dishes with me before we go, but I'm not too sure she'll go for a lot of it.

Any advice/suggestions would be most appreciated.

freenote

Went with a twelve year old , she was "faddy" but she tried a bit of this,and a bit of that and survived.cheese samosa's ,lassi's (don't drink the lassie's said we ,we had a touch of delhi belli and she did'ent) and lots of other bits and peices as well ,no doubt she will learn.
Good traveling and have fun!!!

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Bigzero

will not be a problem in big cities, might be a challenge in smaller towns and non-touristy areas. well, in the typical touristy areas, you will get highly localised/improvised versions of western cuisine! the trick is to make one realize that this is all part of the process of broadening ones mind ( and taste)...

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williaam

Sure she can, I was the same way when I went to Thailand, I was 16 and a very picky eater. My solution, live off of Pizza Hut while I was there. Sure I wasn't so fond of pizza by the end of the trip but it got me through it!

rickshawwallah

Dharamsala is no longer even the slightest bit isolated. For better or worse, you will find an extremely strong western influence there. In fact, you will probably see a greater variety of foreign-style foods there than anywhere else in India outside the major cities.

By the way, the Italian restaurant you refer to is probably one in Upper Dharamsala, otherwise known as McLeod Ganj. It's just down the road from the Israeli restaurant, across the street from the Continental restaurant, around the corner from the Japanese restaurant, just a stone's throw from the other Italian restaurant... well, you get the picture.

Oh, and your daughter can also send instant messages to her friends back home from one of the internet cafes while sampling their apple pie and chocolate cake. Does this set your mind at ease or scare you?

motherbear

Thanks for all the advice folks.

She's already been getting quite excited at the thought of being able to keep in touch with friends back home, and the mention of chocolate cake has made for a little more reassurance on her part that I'm not taking her completely away from 'civilisation' as she knows it.

We came across Blue Peter (uk kid show) the other day, just as it was starting. They were filming in Delhi, and parts of the show had different foods on. Fussy one actually expressed an interest in some of the grub.

we're going to try out some rice dishes over the next week, so fingers crossed, she'll find at least one dish she enjoys.

xxx

Shiver me Timbers

Hey, did you see Mike's big list of Domino Pizza's?

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skell

The biggest food difficulties we had traveling with a vegetarian teenager was the 10 days we spent in France, and he's not a fussy eater otherwise.

dumb_bacchus

Away from civilisation - you are taking her into one of the worlds greatest civilisation. And how do you people define civilisation - getting junk food ...

/.

motherbear

Woah, cowboy.

When I talked about her being taken taken away from civilisation, these were the words that came from her, not myself. Unfortunately many 13 year olds think like this, which is part of my reason for taking her to India with me, to draw her out of that mindset. I do however need to ensure that during that month she has some variety in her diet. I fully intend to spend time on encouraging her to try out new foods before we go, and whilst we're there. But as all, parents know, it helps when travelling with kids, to have many options.

With that in mind, i found your comments a little harsh. Never mind though, kisses atcha anyway.

DianeN.

I took my 17 year old daughter to India this spring. She is not a fussy eater, but was not keen on eating Indian food at every single meal. We had toast and eggs for almost every breakfast. Many of the hotels also had cereal like Corn Flakes, or oatmeal, but was a bit worried about the milk. She also had fried rice or fried noodles (Chinese indian style) part of the time. When we were in Delhi she tried McDonalds, too--though it is very different from the states...chicken burgers and vegetarian burgers. But everything felt familiar. I liked McDonalds, too---because while she ordered a burger and fries, I used their bathroom!
Why don't you bring along something with you like granola bars...but she will find something to eat when she gets hungry.
It will be a great mind opening experience for her. Have a wonderful time together!
Diane

dumb_bacchus

Hey sweet-mom

I am sorry, didnt intend to be rude. But it just that sometime i feel people using words like - un-civilised world, third-world, n more for India. Which make me feel awaful. Its just that India is a very different country. And when you travel to a different place, ur body takes time to adapt, hence you fall ill n stuff. So why blame the country, its nature!! I am sure everyone in this group adores India!!

welcome to the oldest civilisation in India.

cheers