Tips to Get Children to Love Eating Vegetables

First published: 7 February 2023 @ 6:00 pm

As parents, we’re often at a loss when it comes to getting our children as picky eaters to eat healthy foods, especially vegetables.

We want to ensure that our kids are getting the proper nutrition to stay healthy, but sometimes getting them to eat their leafy greens can be a struggle.

It may seem like an uphill battle, but there are ways to make eating vegetables a fun and enjoyable experience for your kids.

In this article, we will explore some creative methods for getting your children to love eating vegetables.

It’s never too late to teach your children to love their greens and make healthy eating habits a part of their daily routine.

From introducing a variety of vegetables to using interactive games and activities, there are plenty of ways to make eating vegetables a positive experience for your children.

So let’s explore some of the ways you can get your children to love eating vegetables!

What Should I Do to Get My Children to Love Eating Vegetables?

Vegetables are high in filling fiber, but low in fat and calories. Thus, making them a healthier alternative to sugary snacks.

Eating vegetables also provides numerous benefits for children, including improved mood, concentration, energy, and academic performance, as well as vital nutrients such as potassium, dietary fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamin A, and vitamin C.

Therefore, parents should try to encourage them to eat a variety of vegetables for optimal health. Here are some tips to get your children to love eating vegetables:

1. Offer Vegetables as a Snack

Eating vegetables doesn’t have to be seen as something that needs to be done only at mealtime.

Offering vegetables as a snack is a great way to get your children to love eating vegetables.

Start by offering small portions of cut-up vegetables, such as carrot sticks or celery. If your children are hesitant, you can offer a dip like hummus or ranch dressing to make it more appealing.

You can also get creative and make vegetables the star of a snack, like a veggie pizza or a veggie wrap as their favorite meal.

Getting your children in the habit of snacking on vegetables will help them develop lifelong healthy eating habits.

2. Use Vegetables as an Ingredient in Recipes

Getting children to love eating vegetables can be a challenge. One easy way to do this is to use vegetables as an ingredient in recipes.

By adding vegetables to recipes, you can make an ordinary dish more nutritious and delicious.

For example, adding mushrooms into a pasta sauce or grated carrots into a cake batter can help to increase your child’s daily intake of vegetables without them even realizing it.

You can also use vegetables to create fun, healthy snacks for your children, such as vegetable chips and dips or mini pizzas topped with a variety of vegetables.

3. Let Your Children Participate in The Grocery Shopping

Allowing your children to take part in grocery shopping for vegetables is a great way to get them interested in eating vegetables.

It gives them an opportunity to choose their own vegetables, and they will be more likely to eat them when they have a say in what they buy.

Take them grocery shopping and let them pick out the wide variety of vegetables they like. When they have a hand in choosing the vegetables they eat, they will be more likely to enjoy eating them.

Encourage them to pick out different types of vegetables and experiment with different flavors.

4. Make Vegetables Fun by Adding Dips and Sauces

Making vegetables fun for your children is an important part of getting them to enjoy eating vegetables.

Adding dips and sauces to vegetables can help make them more appealing and enjoyable.

For instance, roasted vegetables such as carrots or sweet potatoes can be made more delicious with a simple honey mustard sauce. Similarly, a simple hummus dip can make raw vegetables such as cucumbers and celery more enjoyable.

Offering a variety of dips and sauces to your children can ensure that vegetables become a fun, rather than a dreaded, part of their meal.

5. Focus on the Benefits of Eating Vegetables

Eating vegetables is important for our health and development, however, getting children to enjoy eating them can often be a challenge.

To make it easier, focus on the benefits of vegetables. Explain to your children how this amazing food group can help them to have more energy, improve their brain function and stay healthy.

Also, try to focus on the flavors and textures of vegetables, this can make them more enjoyable for children.

When children learn to appreciate the taste and texture of vegetables, they are likely to enjoy eating them more.

Finally, don’t forget to make vegetables fun. Cut vegetables into interesting fun shapes and offer dips as a way to make them more interesting.

Final Thoughts

Introducing vegetables to your children doesn’t have to be a challenge.

By getting creative in the kitchen, getting your children involved in the cooking process, and leading by example, you can teach your children to enjoy eating vegetables and make them a part of their regular diet and healthy habits.

With these tips, you can help your children develop healthy eating habits that will serve them for the rest of their lives and benefit their healthy growth.

Subscribe to our blog MatureParent for more information or tips about parenting, children’s health, and more!

FAQs

What do you do if your child doesn’t like vegetables?

If your child doesn’t like vegetables, there are a few things you can do. You can try introducing them to different vegetables in different ways or try making a vegetable dish, to ensure your child gets the nutrition they need.

Why do my kids hate to eat vegetables?

There are a few reasons why kids may not like vegetables. Most causes are some vegetables have textures that can be off-putting to kids, such as being mushy, stringy, or slippery.

What vegetables do kids like the most?

Some of the vegetables that kids may like include broccoli, potatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

What to give kids who won’t eat vegetables?

If your child won’t eat vegetables, there are a few things you can do, such as creating veggie faces or serving them with their favorite meals.

How do I get my 7-year-old to love eating vegetables?

There is no one answer to this question, as each child is different. Some tips to get your 7-year-old to love eating vegetables include making sure they are getting the proper amount of nutrients and introducing them to different types of vegetables.