Kids And Vegetables Don't Always Jibe
Vegetables are full of nourishment that growing bodies need. Naturally, you want your children to benefit from all that nutrition, but your kids are likely to have different ideas about veggies. Negotiating with your child to get them to eat their green beans can feel like pulling teeth. Luckily, there are some methods you can use to painlessly nudge your kids in the right direction. Here are 20 ways to get your children to eat their vegetables.
1. Create Veggie Art
Let your child play with their food by creating art with veggie sticks and dip. Cut carrots into shapes like dinosaurs so they can create little worlds.
2. Incorporate Them Into Foods They Like
Make vegetables more approachable by incorporating them into their favorite foods. For example, finely chop bell peppers and carrots and add them to mac n' cheese to make them more palatable.
3. Start A Vegetable Garden With Your Kid
Get your kid involved in the process by starting a vegetable garden with them. They'll be excited to eat the fruits of their labor.
4. Bring Your Child Grocery Shopping
Bring your child to the grocery store and let them pick out their own vegetables. Letting them choose will make them feel like they're in charge.
5. Get Them Involved In The Cooking Process
Kids like to feel like they're a part of everything. Getting them involved in the creative process of cooking will make them feel more connected to the food and curious about trying different flavors.
6. Add To Baked Goods
Your kids might not like vegetables, but chances are they like baked goods. You can easily incorporate shredded zucchini, squash, and carrots into muffins and cookies to give them a nutritional boost.
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7. Purée Into Sauces
Purée vegetables into pasta sauces for added flavor and nutrition. Your kids will never know they're in there.
8. Serve Them With Tasty Dips
Serving vegetables with fun and tasty dips like hummus or tzatziki can make them more palatable. Just try to keep the dips healthy too.
9. Be A Role Model
You can't just talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk. Lead by example by incorporating plenty of vegetables into your diet. Then your kids will see veggies aren't evil after all.
10. Make It A Game
Turn eating vegetables into a game by getting them to sample and rank their favorites. Make little challenges like who can eat the most colors in one day.
11. Start Small
Don't overwhelm your kids with large portions of scary vegetables. Ease them into it by keeping portions small, gradually earning their acceptance.
12. Don't Pressure Them
Try to be encouraging without being forceful. Putting too much pressure on your kids will only lead to them having a negative association with vegetables.
13. Praise Small Efforts
Rewards and praise go a long way. Each time your child tries new vegetables, praise the effort. Just try not to reward them with sugary desserts.
14. Try Kid-Friendly Vegetables
Some vegetables are scarier to children than others. Maybe don't get them started on a slimy mushroom, instead focus your efforts on milder cauliflower, sweet potatoes, or cucumbers.
15. Inform Your Kids About Vegetables
The more your kids know about the effects of vegetables on their health, the more likely they are to eat them. Teach them about the immune-boosting qualities of spinach and the muscle-building effects of broccoli.
16. Don't Label Your Kid
Telling people your kid doesn't eat something is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead, continue to re-introduce the food so they become familiar with it. Their taste buds are changing all the time so one day they may find they like it after all.
17. Use Seasonings
You might enjoy plain old veggies, but your kid might need a little something to make it more accessible. Vegetables take on a whole new shape when they're roasted or pan-fried with some seasonings.
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18. Be Consistent
Don't stop offering vegetables just because your kid turned their nose up a few times. Make them a staple at every meal so your kid grows accustomed to them.
19. Serve Them On Brightly-Colored Dishes
Kids like things that look colorful and fun. Serving bland vegetables on drab-colored dishes really isn't going to excite them.
20. Turn Them Into Snacks
The more you can make a vegetable resemble one of your kid's favorite snack foods, the more likely they are to eat it. Make kale chips or slice root vegetables into wedges and roast them with oil and seasoning for a healthier version of fries.
