How To Get Children To Eat Their Veggies

As parents, we know that our children should be eating veggies every day to help them grow and keep them healthy.  It should be easy; feed them a variety of vegetables when they start eating solids and voila!  They will love eating them as they grow up.   Unfortunately, for most kids, it's not going to be so simple.  

Many kids dislike vegetables.  It may be the color, smell, texture or flavor.  Don't get frustrated or give up trying.  Keep in mind that what works with one child may not work with another.  For example, all three of my children liked veggies when they were babies and toddlers but as they grew each one's taste was different.  My eldest son (now a young man) as a child pleaded with us, asking to not have to eat his vegetables.  My teenage son always loved to eat salad with veggies while my youngest daughter cringes at the sight of anything green! 

So what can be done to encourage a child to eat his veggies?  Below is a list of recommendations that may help.  

• Repetition - Offer the vegetable and if your child doesn't try it, offer it again next time it's prepared.
• Enjoy eating vegetables yourself.   Does your child see you enjoy eating vegetables?
• Try the sweeter vegetables, such as peas or carrots. 
• Try different colored vegetables.  
• Prepare your vegetables different ways.  Raw, cooked, baked, sauté, etc.  
• Try with different seasonings or toppings
• Get your kids involved. Have your child help you pick the vegetables from the market.
• Older children can help with cooking their own vegetables
• Blend vegetables into a fruit smoothie.

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