We all know that eating vegetables is very important. It provides the vitamins and minerals needed by our body to regulate its processes. However, for kids, it is quite challenging to have them eat veggies.
Kids tend to be picky eaters and may not like the complex taste of vegetables. For us parents and caregivers, we want them to eat these vegetables to get essential nutrients for proper growth and development.
If you are challenged on feeding your children vegetables, then try these simple tips on how you can promote vegetables to your kids:
- Keep trying.
It’s normal for children to say no to vegetables at first, but the most important is to keep trying. Be patient and continue giving your child a variety of vegetables. Always include it on their meal and encourage them to taste it. Some children need to try a new food up to 10 times before they accept it, and another 10 times before they decide they like it.
- Communication is the key.
Talking with your kids about the benefits these vegetables provide to their body would help them consider tasting it. You may also talk about their favorite vegetables and ask what they like about it.
Praise them each time they try vegetables, but don’t let praise become the focus of their meal, though. We want them to eat vegetables because they like it and not because of something else.
- Get them involved.
When going to grocery shopping, let your kids join you. It is a good opportunity for them to see and learn different vegetables. Let them choose what they like to have for dinner.
And when you get home, encourage them to help you in washing and preparing these vegetables. Letting your kids decide in choosing vegetables and engaging them in preparation would make them feel involved and be more excited to eat them.
- Be a role model.
Your kids learn from you. Family meal is a good opportunity to teach them healthy eating. Be their role model, fill-up your plate with vegetables and show your kids that you enjoy it. They may want to copy you! Your children are more likely to want to eat them if they see you enjoying what you eat.
- Get vegetables into their meals creatively.
Children have preferences for taste, texture, and presentation. So be creative in preparing these vegetables. You may add some herbs and spices to add flavor. Cutting them in fun shapes and arranging nicely on their plate would be appetizing for them. You can also try serving raw vegetables to have that crunchy texture with some dip to enjoy.
Yes, at first, it’s not easy to feed our kids with vegetables. Keep on trying but do not force them. Have patience and keep exploring. Soon enough, they would love eating these veggies. (BLVMEstrella)
Sources:
https://www.healthxchange.sg/children/food-nutrition/tips-child-eat-vegetables-fruits
https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/nutrition-fitness/healthy-eating-habits/vegetables
