Ketchup

So this probably doesn't warrant a new post (especially so soon after one dedicated to the boy), but Margaret loves ketchup. Every time we eat something that warrants the use of ketchup as a condiment, Margaret focuses on the ketchup more than the actual meal. In fact, it gets to the point where the french fries, tater tots, hot dogs, etc. that we're eating for dinner act as a device to transport ketchup to Maggie's mouth, rather than something to eat. After exhausting her supply of ketchup, Margaret will point at her plate and plaintively ask for "more?"

Today we experienced the culmination of Margaret's fondness for ketchup. We were eating hot dogs and tater tots for dinner (since I was feeling tired and lazy). At some point, Margaret requested more ketchup and a spoon. She proceeded to eat her ketchup just like she eats ice cream. Abby was appalled.

Whenever Margaret displays her fondness for ketchup, I always recall the Reagan administration's declaration (prehaps mythical) that ketchup is a vegetable for nutrition purposes. And, apparently, ketchup contains lycopene which is one of those mysterious beneficial substances that can be found in foods. But even still, I can find no nutritional content on the labels of the ketchup that we generally eat. Perhaps we can find a fancy organic version that will provide some nutrients as Maggie shovels it into her mouth. I suspect that if we do, Margaret won't like it as much the current stuff.