Getting Kids to Savor Their Greens: A Guide for Parents
- by Maria Kirady
- ≈ 5.5 Min
If your child refuses to eat vegetables, try convincing them to make a change. - Struggling to get your child to eat their greens?
It can feel like an uphill battle when it comes to encouraging your little one to eat their veggies. Who wouldn't rather reach for a sugary treat over a plate of broccoli, right? However, with a bit of creativity, fun, and knowledge, you can make vegetables as exciting as any candy store find.
- Nutrition
- Children
- Vegetables
- Healthy Eating
Secrets to Delighting Your Kiddos with Veggies
Make Veggies Pop with Color
Grab their attention with vibrant plates and bowls that showcase the rainbow of colors on your lunch plate. The contrast between a neon dish and assorted cartoonish veggies is too hard to resist!
Transform Food into Friendly Shapes
Liven up meals by cutting vegetables into fun shapes with cookie cutters. Whether it's mini carrot stars, flower-shaped cucumber slices, or heart-shaped bell pepper wedges, these edible decorations make mealtime more playful. Even better, let your kiddo take the reins in shaping their own extravagant platter!
Turn Mealtime into a Party
Turn the boring old act of eating veggies into a fun-filled adventure. Create games, stories, and other activities that make them look forward to finishing their veggies. A little playful interaction goes a long way in reducing resistance and increasing the likelihood of trying new vegetables.
Make Them Part of the Process
Involve your little angels in the cooking process. Let them wash veggies, mix ingredients, or add toppings. By doing so, they'll become more invested in the meal, feel a sense of achievement, and develop positive associations with healthy foods. Plus, it's a great opportunity to teach them valuable life skills!
Plan Meals During Calm Times
Pick a serene and unhurried moment to introduce new veggies to their diets. Weekends or relaxed family meals work best, as they'll be well-rested and less likely to be stressed or fussy.
Embrace Veggies for a Healthier Future
By incorporating creative presentation, playful engagement, hands-on cooking, calm meal environments, and educational approaches, you can empower your kids to develop lifelong preferences for a diet rich in nutritious veggies. Happy eating, parents!
Sources:
- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Child Mind Institute
- University of Illinois Extension
- Engage your children in the cooking process to develop a sense of achievement and positive associations with healthy foods such as vegetables.
- Embrace science by exploring different ways to present vegetables, like using colorful dishes or creative cut-outs, to make them more appealing and exciting for children.
- Teach your family about health-and-wellness by incorporating fun activities, games, and educational material into mealtime, promoting a lifelong appreciation for nutrition and fitness-and-exercise.
