Getting Your Kids to Eat Vegetables

Getting your kids to eat vegetables might feel like it requires an IV in their sleep. However, there are other imaginative methods you can use to accomplish this without tying them down to their chair. Even though it seems like they can smell them a mile away, you would be surprised at how many easy and delicious recipes help you disguise the vegetable to the point where they will be begging for them! Another good point to remember is that if you make it fun and upbeat, then they will feel that way as well. It will also make meal times less stressful if you give them more choices in the matter, and let them decide which vegetables they are going to eat. As long as they get two or three, they may not need to choose from the entire selection list. If they can choose from among those they like "least" or "best", you'll probably get better results.

Introduction of Vegetable Smoothies

Remember that smoothies are a parent's best friend. You can put so many yummy, and nutritious, things in a smoothie and they will never have a clue. If it's green, you can come up with all sorts of kid-friendly names that would probably gross an adult out, but make a kid want to drink it even more. Use their backward brain wiring to your benefit! By the time they get old enough to realize what they have actually been drinking, they'll enjoy it too much to give it up. Mean, you say? No, actually it's just lifesaving for parents who don't want to have any more table fights over who is going to eat what. If you compromise with the older ones on what goes into the smoothies, such as one vegetable for every sweet, then they will feel more empowered as well.

Cooking Up Multi-Flavored Dishes

Another great way to introduce vegetables is to use them as part of the ingredients to make a casserole. Many times, things like chicken casserole or enchiladas have so many other ingredients in them that they don't really stick out. When this is the case, they are enjoying the massive flavor of either the meat or other main focus, and are getting their vegetables right along with it. Of course, using different cooking methods is also important because they may not like them cooked a particular way. Perhaps you could let them choose between raw, steamed, boiled or sautéed. All of these have a different texture that might make them a little more palatable for their inexperienced taste buds. This is a simple way to let them see how different cooking methods can make them crunchier or softer as well.

When you try to start getting your kids to eat vegetables, start as young as you can. Then, as they grow older, they will have their favorites and those they are used to eating. However, if you have an older child that is less familiar with anything green, then use these methods to introduce them to some new foods. By following different procedures, they won't feel like they're being forced and they'll have some variety at the same time. Keep in mind that you are setting the example, so if you eat your vegetables, they will be more likely to follow suit. If they are small enough, there are also some cartoon characters that can reinforce the benefits of vegetables and muscles that may develop from eating them--got to love Popeye! Be brave and open to new things and this attitude will rub off on your children as well!

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