The war between children and vegetables has spanned decades. For some reason, kids have come up with different ways to avoid eating their vegetables, like burying their cauliflower under their mashed potatoes or sneaking their carrots to the dog under the table.
While their creativity is astounding, you may find yourself worried that they are not getting the nutrition they need. As a learning center in California, we understand the struggle. That’s why we decided to share the following strategies with you:
- Keep the pressure to a minimum.
The more you push kids to do something, the less likely they will do it. We are sure you have personally experienced this. Avoid making a big deal out of your children eating vegetables or not. This will make them more likely to try the unfamiliar green that is on their plate. Pressuring them to eat veggies will only make your kids dislike them.
Make the vegetables taste great.
Vegetables do not have to be boring! If your children are having a difficult time eating their veggies, our preschool in Anaheim, California, encourages you to change your approach to serving them. Add spices, herbs, and seasoning. Put some butter on the veggies, roast them, or add them to a dip. It pays to be creative here.
- Let them play a hands-on role in the kitchen.
Allowing your kids to take part in meal planning and preparation can positively affect their eating behaviors. Let your children help you prepare the vegetables for the family’s meal. Because they played a role in making the meal, they will likely want to taste the product of their creation.
We at Happy Hearts Preschool and Childcare, a licensed home child care, hope these tips help you get your children to eat their vegetables.
If you are looking for child care services in Anaheim, California, please feel free to call us!
