How to Get Picky Eaters to Eat More Vegetables
Encouraging Finicky Kids to Enjoy Their Leafy Greens
Feb 11, 2009
Children need the vitamins found in vegetables to maintain their health and support their growing bodies. However, getting finicky kids to enjoy their leafy greens can be worse than pulling teeth, but there are ways to do it. Listed below are a few tips that can help.
Get the Kids Involved with Menu Planning and Preparing Meals
Youngsters are more likely to eat if they are allowed to actively participate in menu planning, grocery shopping, and meal preparation. They can load the grocery cart, wash veggies, measure ingredients, set the table, and pour milk. This bolsters kids' confidence, fosters independence, and makes them feel like valuable contributors to the household.
Find Fun Ways to Prepare Vegetables
Put a little excitement in your kids’ meals by finding fun ways to serve their vegetables. Use cookie cutters to make cute little designs on soft vegetables such as cucumbers and tomatoes. Serve raw vegetables with a little dipping sauce, or cheese on the side. Juicing is another way for kids to enjoy their leafy greens. Youngsters can experiment with different veggie combinations until they find one they like.
Sometimes doing something as simple as mixing vegetables in kids’ favorite dishes is all it takes to get them to eat. Add shredded carrots to meatloaf, or mashed broccoli to pasta dishes such as fettuccine and lasagna. There are tons of ways to mix and match – it just takes a little creativity.
Let kids play with their food. Parents can get in on the action too. The entire family can pretend to be hungry giants preparing to invade a town of broccoli trees. Use silly voices and say something like, “Oh please Mr. Giant, don’t gobble us up.” The little ones will get a kick out of it.
Offer New Vegetable Selections to Kids Often, but Don't Force Them to Eat
Sometimes new foods have to be offered to youngsters as many as 12 times before they’ll give them a try – so be patient. Encourage youngsters to try a small bite, but never force them to eat their vegetables. This will only make them more resistant to trying new foods in the future. Also, don't overwhelm children by putting large amounts of new vegetable selections on their plates.
The most important thing to remember is that good nutrition starts at home. Children tend to eat what their parents eat; so set the appropriate tone about the importance of eating vegetables and your kids will come around.
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