Does your toddler refuse to eat their veggies? You are not alone. Many parents struggle with getting their children to eat healthy foods. Fortunately, several practical strategies can help you overcome your toddler’s unbreakable veggie defenses.
Why Won’t My Child Eat Their Veggies?
One of the main reasons kids often don’t like veggies is that their taste buds are very sensitive, and they prefer to eat foods that are sweet and avoid bitter flavors. Sometimes it can feel like the only things your kids will eat are dino chicken nuggets, but it is crucial for them to avoid foods loaded with preservatives that can have unhealthy consequences like sorbic acid side effects. Poor nutrition can mean not getting all of the nutrients they need to help their body grow or to keep their immune system running strong. Fortunately, organic dietary supplements can help fill the gap, such as Wellements immune support.
Recipes & Tricks For Your Toddler To Eat Their Veggies
Even though your child may be taking a Wellements organic multivitamin or other supplements, it is vital that they eat nutritious vegetables as part of a balanced diet. Here are ten ways you can encourage your toddler to eat more vegetables.
- Chop It – Before you serve up a big plate of broccoli, try encouraging your child to explore and try different vegetables with smaller bite-size pieces or carrots, cucumbers, or other vegetables.
- Mix It – Become a cooking ninja and start adding stealthy amounts of vegetables to dishes your child already enjoys. Do they love spaghetti night? Try adding some finely chopped onion or carrot to your pasta sauce.
- Blend It – Do you have a blender? Try making a delicious fruit smoothie complete with…you guessed it, veggies! Kale, carrots, and even avocado are great options to blend into a smoothie without overpowering the flavor.
- Cook It – Would you rather have broccoli raw or cooked with delicious seasoning and maybe even topped with a bit of butter? If your kids won’t eat veggies, you might need to prepare them differently.
- Mash It – Some veggies are great to mash or puree and then mix into a dish such as mashed potatoes or even mac and cheese
- Freeze It – Like making a smoothie, blend ice, fruit, and veggies, then pour into popsicle trays to freeze for an icy treat!
- Dip It – Maybe your child won’t eat cauliflower by itself, but have you tried dipping it in ranch?
- Decorate It – Did you ever make “ants on a log” when you were little? Spread peanut butter on celery and add raisins for a fun and tasty snack.
- Exaggerate It – Kids hate missing out. Next time you eat veggies for dinner, make a huge deal about how delicious they are. Your toddler just might ask if they can have some more.
- Celebrate It – When your toddler tries a new vegetable or eats all of their broccoli, recognize it in a positive way.
Nurturing a love for healthy eating is essential when children are young. There are many ways to incorporate veggies into your child’s diet that are natural, enjoyable, and even fun!
