Getting young children to eat their vegetables has been a problem faced by parents for as long as anyone can remember. We all know that vegetables are healthy and children need to start their young lives off right by eating a balanced diet, but if they refuse to eat vegetables, what can you do about it?
Let’s look at some tips on getting little ones to eat vegetables, such as kid-friendly vegetables and some cool ways to get your children eating, and enjoying nutritious food.
How to Get Children to Eat Veggies
Let’s look at some tips on veggies. If your children flat out refuse to eat what’s served on their plate, then it’s time to think outside the box a little and get creative. One way you can get them to eat their vegetables is to get a little tricky by hiding vegetables in food.
For example, if your children love pastry items such as a meat pie, you could make your own pies, fill them with a little meat and cheese and make the dominant part of the internal mix out of broccoli, carrot, cauliflower or any of a number of other vegetables. They’ll still love the pie and get a vegetable fix in the process. This is just one example, but there are many ways you can technically “hide” veggies inside food they love. Any dish that is a favorite will work with this idea. Over time, you can start adding more and more veggies.
Another method you could try is to make vegetables fun in some way. Maybe you could have your children create designs out of vegetables before baking them in the oven, or cutting slices of potato into fun shapes before boiling or steaming them. If kids are having fun and being creative, they’ll have more incentive to eat their creations.
Something else you could consider is giving children some sort of incentive to eat their vegetables. It doesn’t have to be money, but anything you know they’ll respond to favorably.
Fruits and Vegetables for Kids
A good balance of vegetables is vital for their nutrition and growing bodies. Fruit can often be easier to get kids to eat, because they love the sweet flavors. While not every child may like every single fruit imaginable, they’re bound to have at least one or two favorites, such as bananas or apples.
When it comes to vegetables for kids, it’s more about knowing what vegetables kids will eat. Many children seem to favor potatoes, perhaps because fries are made from potato. They need more than just starchy vegetables though, and one of the biggest challenges many parents face is getting kids to eat anything green.
There are certain vitamins and minerals that are found in green vegetables – particularly green leafy vegetables such as spinach – that are not found in other veggies.
Although it may be a challenge, you’ll need to find creative ways to get your kids to eat their greens. Things like peas can be easily blended in with their favorite dishes, as can small chunks of broccoli. Spinach, brussels sprouts and some other greens are often frowned upon by young children. In this case, search online for some cool recipes for kids that include these types of vegetables.
Veggie Ideas for Toddlers
Toddlers are often less fussy than kids that are a little older. Veggie ideas for toddlers are really about combining small portions of vegetables with something else they like to eat. Remember that it can take kids upwards of 20 times of seeing a veggie to be brave enough to actually try it. So, keep modeling enjoyment by eating these foods yourself, offering it in small portions without pressure, and having the foods you want them to eat around regularly.