As long as children have been defying their parents, the battle about eating their vegetables has been a regular part of the dinner table routine. For some families, this gets so bad that dinnertime is uncomfortable for everyone. You don’t want it to be this way for your family. Meals should be a fun time when the family spends time together. But of course you still want your kids to eat their vegetables. So, how do you do it without causing tears of frustration to ruin your supper?
Here are some Do’s and Don’ts for getting children to eat their vegetables:
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- Don’t use food as either punishment or reward for anything. This adds to the power struggle problems of meals that can make eating vegetables a chore.
- Do praise your children when they eat vegetables. You don’t have to make a big deal out of it but you should point it out in a positive way.
- Do give choices of two different vegetables so that your children can select the one that they like better. Variety is the spice of life after all. Plus, the choices will make it an issue of “which” vegetable to eat not “whether” to eat the vegetables.
- Don’t make your children eat vegetables that they really don’t like. If they have a few that they do like and they’re getting their nutritional needs met, don’t stress the issue of trying new vegetables. There will be time for that as your children get older.
- Do change the colors and shapes of vegetables to make them more appealing for kids. Cookie cutters and food coloring do wonders for making vegetables more enticing, especially if the children help with making them.
- Don’t be afraid to let your kids have a little bit of dip or sauce for their vegetables as long as you don’t overdo it.
- Do stay calm and upbeat about the situation. The situation doesn’t have to upset you so don’t let it.
- Do set a good example for your kids by maintaining a healthy diet yourself.
Believe it or not, your picky eaters will eventually start to like eating their vegetables. In the meantime, you need to set a good example and maintain a low key attitude about the situation. If you really can’t get your children to eat their vegetables and every meal ends in frustration, work some vitamins in to their diet so they don’t lack their nutritional needs and wait for a little time to pass before trying again.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I sneak alot of veggies into my cooking too- some carrots in pasta sauce, some celery into baked goods etc. They never know the difference!
My son is also a big fan of dipping stuff…
Wow! I wish my father read this article when I was a kid. He would make me sit at the table until I ate them. Then, 5 hours later when they were mushy and cold, I would eat them and….. vomit.
I don’t think I have eaten a vegetable in my 10 years of marriage.
Hi Carl,
Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, my mom was very strict when it came to me eating everything on my plate. My Dad was much more easy going. As a matter of fact, I remember one meal that he prepared for me and my sister when my mother wasn’t around… Canned Ravioli and Stove Top Stuffing. He was so proud of himself and even as horrible as this food combination sounds I remember this meal as one of my favorites from my childhood. It’s probably not the meal so much that I remember fondly, but the conversation and fun that I had with my sister and father that night.
Parents from 30 years ago and parents today want the same thing… we want our children to be happy and healthy. Maybe the tactics have just changed a bit.
Thank you Carl for your comments and come back anytime.
Shana
Hi Kim,
I think that is wonderful!! My children love to dip and as long they are eating their veggies I let them dip all they want.
Thank you so much for sharing your veggie tips and come back anytime.
Shana
I’m a new Mother at 40, who never ate vegetables as a child! Unfortunately, it just wasn’t a requirement at our dinner table- I wish it was. Now, however, my challenge is getting my toddler to enjoy them. something tells me the battle has just begun. Well, at least he L O V E S fresh fruit! Yeh, Mommy!!!
Christian K.J.’s Mom - Good for you for making veggies an important part of your child’s daily menu. Over time he will enjoy them more. Don’t give up… it will happen.
Fruit is just as important as veggies, so I’m glad your son already loves fruit… keep trying the tips and over time your picky toddler will begin eating them on his own.
Stop by again.
Shana