The ‘DIY’ meal hack Love Island star swears by that ‘tricks’ toddler into eating veggies
A LOVE Island star has revealed her clever meal hack that makes her toddler happily eat her vegetables.
Camilla Thurlow, who famously got together with husband Jamie Jewitt on the ITV2 dating show, shared her dinner trick on social media this week.
The 35-year-old said she has been using the “DIY pasta” style of meal for daughter Nell, four, “a lot recently”.
The dinner involves a bowl of plain pasta accompanied by a plate of ‘toppers’ including veggies and cheese.
Camilla said: “When she builds her own pasta, generally she’s more inclined to add more colour, stir it all in and eat it completely happily.
“Whereas sometimes if I add it all in, she might not.
“Also I do like her to be involved in cooking but sometimes it’s just not feasible – two babies crying, two dogs barking, my brain exploding etc.
“But she still feels really involved doing this, and has some control.
“Plus, generally, she grazes through anything she leaves on the plate.”
The reality TV star bagged a ‘pick plate’ from Amazon for £10.99 that has five compartments for fussy eaters that keeps foods separate.
In each, she sets out an assortment of foods such as sweetcorn, cucumber, red pepper, olives, pickles, chicken sausage pieces, and peas – as well as grated cheese, bolognese, and tomato pasta sauce.
She added: “Also, I sometimes change up the base, a baked potato has been a hit too.
“Just thought I’d share as it’s been such a game changer for me and feeding toddlers/pre-schoolers is [mind blowing emoji].”
Jamie, 34, and Camilla, 35, are also parents to Nora, two, and baby Brodie, who they welcomed into the world last May.
The couple revealed earlier this month that Nora has been diagnosed with autism.
In the heartfelt post, Camilla shared a photo of Nora, who was smiling in a pink puffa jacket, as she walked in the sunshine.
Alongside the image, Camilla wrote a touching message about her daughter’s strength and perseverance in the face of autism, highlighting the hurdles Nora has overcome despite not yet reaching certain developmental milestones.
She penned: “Nora, our little darling. I often wonder what life must be like for you, having to get up and do things that you find hard every day.
“And not just that, but things that everyone else around you seems to find so easy.
“For every milestone we are yet to reach, or the ones that may not be for us at all, you just keep going, with a smile on your face and so, so much love in your heart.
“To determinedly keep doing things that are difficult with grace and good humour is something that many of the rest of us have spent a lifetime trying to master.
“Yet, that strength is already within you, and you go and get it every single day.
“So of course we will be excited for you in the milestone moments, but we are proud of you always.
“Last month you received your autism diagnosis and we know there are some very real challenges ahead for you, and that we will need to grow as parents to make sure we give you what we hope to give all our children; the tools to navigate spaces that are difficult for you, the empowerment to set boundaries that serve you and above all a happy life with every opportunity to be yourself.
“We see you, always trying to find the sunshine no matter what life brings, and we will be with you every step of the way to make sure it always finds a way through.
“We are so grateful to be your parents and for the love you and your siblings share, and for everyone who has supported and continues to support Nora and our family.”
While their decision to open up about their journey was praised by some for raising awareness, others have criticised them for making such personal information public.