It’s harder to find a kid who likes vegetables than a kid who doesn’t. In fact, it often seems to be a given that kids just don’t like vegetables.

While it’s important to let kids be kids throughout their childhood, this idea can be harmful if it starts to affect their nutrition and eating habits.

Children aren’t born hating greens

Kids are wont to indulge in sweets, such as chocolate bars, lollipops, gummies, hard candies–you name it. But this abundant amount of sugar can harm their health and pose a number of serious risks, from severe dental cavities to an increased risk of heart disease.

Children’s bodies also require more nutrients than the average adult to ensure proper growth and development. That said, parents often struggle to get their children to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Multiple studies offer a number of possible reasons behind this collective aversion to greens. Often, however, these reasons boil down to the simple fact that vegetables are neither as delicious nor as appealing as sweets are to children.

Sometimes, parents might also be encouraging poor eating habits without them knowing. From stocking up on junk foods to not eating enough vegetables themselves, parents can be complicit in fostering poor eating habits and attitudes about health and wellness.

How to get kids to eat vegetables

If you’re like most parents at their wits’ end struggling to get their kids to eat veggies, then this article is for you. Take a look at some of the tried-and-tested strategies to help increase your child or children’s intake of vegetables:

1. Stick to a schedule – Children tend to eat more food to keep up with the needs of their growing bodies. But to avoid overeating, set up a meal schedule for your child and guide them through it.
2. Plan meals – Preparing meals in advance gives you a bird’s-eye view of the foods you’ll be serving to your kids. It also helps curb the impulse to eat out or order fast food.
3. Be a good role model – Children tend to mimic their parents’ behaviors. Be a good role model as best as you can and eat vegetables, too. This tells the child that vegetables are nothing to be afraid of.
4. Give kids time to adjust – Children need to get used to sour and bitter flavors. But that won’t happen overnight, even with the most willing children. Introduce each new vegetable one at a time and give the child ample time to get used to its flavor and texture. Don’t be so strict with enforcing meals to avoid strong resistance.
5. Use dips – You can also experiment with dips and condiments. For instance, get kids to eat veggie sticks with ketchup, salsa or cheese dips. The idea is to pair a new or disliked vegetable with a familiar taste that the child isn’t averse to.
6. Make breakfast “green” – Fiber keeps kids full for longer periods, thus discouraging snacking on junk foods. The best time to introduce more fiber is during breakfast, so pair your child’s cereal, pancakes or meat sandwich with a couple of veggie sticks.
7. Add a bit of sugar – Sneaking in a bit of sugar can make kids feel less averse to the bitter taste of vegetables. That said, use sugar in moderation. You want them to like the vegetable, not the sugar that comes with it.
8. Get kids involved – Let kids be comfortable in the kitchen. Get them to wash vegetables and help out during meal prep. This helps them feel more in control of their food as opposed to being force-fed.
9. Limit junk food – Don’t stock up on junk food. A big pile of chips, chocolate bars and the like can make it difficult for kids to choose healthier snacks.
10. Allow occasional treats – Don’t forbid sweets and junk foods as this can make it more appealing to kids. Instead, keep them as occasional treats.
11. Create fun meals – If a dish looks dull and bland, chances are that’s how your kids see it, too. Get creative from time to time. Use fun cookie cutters, decorate plates, and experiment with condiments.

Getting kids to eat vegetables might just be one of the most difficult things to do when it comes to parenting. But it’s not a lost cause. You might just be approaching it all wrong. Follow these tips and give your kid ample time to adjust to their new eating habits. Take things slow and you should see some progress in a month or two.

Learn more about adopting healthier eating habits and increasing vegetable consumption at Slender.news.

Sources:

PsychologyToday.com

Parents.com