Only 21% of children eat enough vegetables. Encouraging children to eat vegetables is easy, with options such as cutting them into different shapes, dipping them in sauces, and hiding them in food. Eating meals as a family and setting a good example is also important.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, only 21 percent of children eat enough vegetables to meet daily requirements. Some children eat vegetables easily while other children are picky eaters, or only eat certain colors, shapes, or textures of foods. Fortunately, for parents, it is not difficult to encourage children to eat vegetables.
Children who only eat certain shapes, colors, or textures of food can be easily accommodated. Vegetables can be cut into any shape with a vegetable peeler. Vegetables also come in a wide variety of colors. For those who prefer crunchy foods, vegetables can be left raw or lightly cooked. Children who prefer soft foods can eat vegetables that have been steamed for a long period of time.
Children who have fun dipping their food can easily be encouraged to eat their vegetables. Celery and carrots can be dipped in peanut butter. The peppers and cucumber taste great dipped in Greek yogurt sauce. Most kids love ranch dressing, and it goes great with any vegetable.
Some children only eat pasta. They too can be encouraged to eat vegetables. Spaghetti squash, when steamed and scraped with a fork, resembles strings of spaghetti. Kids love it with spaghetti sauce and cheese. If you never told them, most kids wouldn’t even know it’s a vegetable.
If your child is a snacker, they are more likely to eat their vegetables if they are placed in a container within their reach. Mini bell peppers have a sweet taste and are easy for young children to understand. Cucumber sticks are also a popular snack among children. Children are more likely to eat vegetables if they see you doing the same.
Some children, no matter what, will refuse to eat their vegetables. Luckily for you, you can sneak vegetables into their food without them knowing. Pureed broccoli can be mixed into spaghetti sauce, and shredded carrots can be tucked into muffins. The deceptively delicious book, written by Jessica Seinfeld, shares with you the many ways to hide vegetables in your child’s favorite foods.
Your child will develop healthy eating habits as long as you encourage him to eat vegetables. They don’t have to eat them to develop these habits. Even if you end up hiding vegetables in her food, be sure to put them on her plate as well. Eat your meals as a family and make sure your children see you eat vegetables.
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