Four Ways You Can Get Children to Enjoy Their Vegetables

A guest blog post by Kristin Lewis of parentingwithkris.com

Children need their vegetables. It helps their development and keeps them healthy. Despite this, too often children can be resistant to the idea of healthier food. This struggle is not easy, yet there are a number of ways to get children eating greens.

Vary Up the Vegetables

While vegetables on their own can be an acquired taste, they are adaptable as ingredients. Children's tastes are in a state of flux, and that's something that we can harness. There are many different styles you can choose from, so experiment with your approach. You could mimic the appearance of their favorite foods, like vegetable burgers, or explore how to integrate vegetables into your children's preferred dishes. Give them as much variation as possible. They may not embrace raw carrots, but they could learn to love them as ingredients in certain dishes. Use flavoring ingredients like cheese and olive oil to mask taste or add appealing textures. It's an effective compromise to transition your children to a healthier lifestyle and show that vegetables can be a yummy snack or meal.

Don't Force Things

Liking something can take time. Children may recoil when they try a certain vegetable or meal. They may drag their heels if they feel pressured into eating something. Instead, maintain an understanding attitude where children do not feel guilty for not having their vegetables. Give them time to explore vegetables, and their many variations, at a pace they feel comfortable with. Offer small portions, even single bites. This can allow them to process the new flavors. While this may be slow, you will be taking away any pressure that could act as a deterrent. Over time, this may positively impact their perception. They will acclimate to seeing vegetables and how adaptable they can be. You may find that, eventually, they grow not only to value what is being offered but to genuinely enjoy it.

Inspire by Example

As parents, we can shape our children's values in a positive way. We can accomplish this through our actions. This can be effectively applied to guiding our children toward healthier choices. Children may not appreciate the importance of healthy eating, but seeing their parents eating vegetables can be influential. When it comes to mealtimes, fill your plate with vegetables. Turn them, as well, into delicious snacks that you can eat throughout the day. Be conspicuous about eating vegetables and open with your enthusiasm about them. Your children will become accustomed to seeing a positive relationship with vegetables and may actively try to emulate what they see. Aid this approach by making mealtimes a routine family get together.

Excite with Choice

Involving our children in decisions can be formative in their development and in their appreciation of responsibility. Giving our children a say in what they eat can get them invested. Take them to the store where they can pick out vegetables, either of their own accord or from a list you have given them. Better still, take them to a farmers market. Children love going on adventures, and a farmers market can be an exciting place full of color and sound. Make this an educational, yet fun, family outing, one which can give them experience of choice. Give them some pocket money, and set them tasks akin to a treasure hunt. Try other fun activities like “I Spy,” and ask them to identify interesting and unusual vegetables. You could learn about their country of origin and the role they played in history. Back home, give them the option to choose recipes and help prepare meals. Make their choices an integral part of what they eat. By connecting a healthy lifestyle to family outings, you can get them excited about veggies.

Inspiring our children to eat their vegetables may take creativity and patience, but the reward of a healthier lifestyle makes it worthwhile. Give your children a say in how they eat and choose their vegetables, avoid guilting them, and make regular visits to the farmers market. Veggies should be fun rather than a chore.