As adults we can appreciate the nutritional values and merits of eating 5 fruit / vegetables a day, but it can be problematic getting children to do the same and “fuss” is high on the menu! How hard is it to get children to actually eat vegetables?
How to get children to eat veg
We asked our friends on our FaceBook, who are all supermums and dads, if they had any tips on getting their kids to eat vegetables. We received some amazing responses and a number of fun and creative ways in which they have tackled their own fussy eaters; that enables them to get vegetables into their children’s diet:
Grow your own veg!
One of our green fingered mums explained how she, and her child, grew their own veggie patch in the garden so that he could see the whole process from being in the ground, to being on the plate!
Grow your own veg!
It’s surprisingly easy to grow your own vegetables such as potatoes, broccoli, courgettes and runner beans. Children will be intrigued to eat something they have grown themselves.
Just like Daddy
Some parents said they made a conscious effort to eat fruit and vegetables in front of their kids because young children are very impressionable and enjoy imitating adults eating habits as it makes them feel grown up.
An old wives tale?
We’re not sure whether it’s true or not, but some parents tell there children that eating carrots will help them to see in the dark.
Born to like veg
If vegetables are introduced to children at an early age then fussiness can be prevented as it is what they are used to and all they know. One mum explained that she bought her child toy vegetables so he is more likely to want to see and eat real ones.
Let children try squeezing oranges, shelling peas and tearing leaves off cabbages to familiarize themselves further.
Sneak ‘em’ in
If a child is particularly fussy about eating vegetables, there are ways to get children to eat them without even realizing such as Annabel Karmel’s Famous Hidden Vegetable Sauce. You can also sneak root vegetables such as parsnip, carrots and swede into mash potato without them being none the wiser.
Annabel Karmel's Hidden Vegetable Sauce
Non Fussy Parents for Fussy Eaters
Parents should not kick up a fuss when their child won’t eat a certain fruit or vegetable as not to draw unnecessary attention to it. Therefore children will not associate ill feeling towards all fruit and vegetables and be willing to try new things. Try usual veg with unusual ones such as Chinese cabbage so they don’t look so odd in comparison.
Supermarket Sweep
A parent explains how she conquered her son’s fussy eating habit by taking him to the supermarket and allowing him to choose what fruit and vegetables he would like. This helps children to feel like they have a large amount of control over what they eat.
Big Cook, Little Cook
You can incorporate fun mealtime activities such as making fruit kebabs, assembling their own pizzas and vegetable wraps. Encourage children to help with the cooking and preparation of meals as children are more likely to eat something that they feel they have been involved with.
Big Cook, Little Cook
Veggie Snacks
It is important to make sure vegetables are easily accessible as this will allow children to help themselves.
Fingers crossed these techniques will transform your little from a fussy eater to a fearless eater!!!
Other Annabel Karmel recipes that will help get vegetables into a child’s diet include some unusual combinations of ingredients such as her Healthy Muffins
Please take the time to participate in our Online Survey about how you get your children to eat vegetables, what problems you encounter and any tips that you can share. By doing this you will be entered into a randomly selected draw where 5 lucky winners will receive £50 worth of John Lewis vouchers and 6 runners up will receive a signed copy of the new book Top 100 Meals in Minutes
