Interesting Ways to Include Green Vegetables in Your Child's Diet

It is daunting to make kids eat green vegetables. Make your kid eat green vegetables without making a fuss by following these interesting ways.

When it comes to make your kids eat the greens, it becomes really tough at times as they are very choosy and also moody. Do not get into a war for making them eat, just breathe deeply and go through the interesting ways to include greens in their diet. It is not impossible, but it needs your persistence and consistency, which can have a great result in future.

Inject Veggies in Your Kids’ Favorites

Wondering how to make your kids eat veggies without much of noticing? Offer veggies with a dip as most kids love to dip items and eat. Offer a salad dressing as a dipping choice with something they like and let them dip away. Mix veggies in your kids’ meals. Make your kids’ favorite macaroni and cheese along with steamed broccoli or peas mixed in; mix in tomatoes, peas, spinach in the spaghetti – all these can turn out to be fun without giving a chance to your kids to reject them.

Keep Trying, Be Consistent

If your kids do not wish to eat a certain type of green vegetables, do not force them to eat, but follow the “one bite rule”. Ask your kids to have a mouthful of rejected food whenever you serve, and then eat what they want. When your kids would be exposed to such rejected food for 8-10 times, they may start accepting it as the food will be familiar to them. Try different veggies every day and do not stick to only one variety of rejected veggie. You can serve them raw, grilled, baked, stir-fried, boiled, in salad, or in juice. Try to include one of these at every meal to your kids till they start loving it.

Make Food Super Fun

Do not stick to the same boring veggie everyday – make it more fun, try different shapes of green vegetables and arrange different food patterns on the plate. Be it the broccoli florets or the leafy spinach, cook them separately instead of making a mixed vegetable out of them. Your kids like them arranged differently on the plate unlike adults who clump foods near each other on the plate. Shape the veggies into a smiley face or a heart shape, be creative as your kids will find it more fun.

Make Your Kids a Part of Cooking

Kids find it more interesting when they are involved in cooking. Take your kids to the shopping mall and ask them to choose the green vegetables themselves. It is important for making them see foods in the raw state so they can explore more and ask questions, and you have the time to answer them. They choose one or two greens and later when you make a lunch or dinner of that, your kids would show more interest in eating them. You can also involve them while you are cooking and that can be more exciting for your kids.

Reward When They Eat Their Greens

When your kids eat the green vegetables served on their plate or even eat the rejected food of “one-bite rule”, try to reward them with small things like stickers or acknowledge them with a slight pat at the back. These will make it easier for them to eat the next time you offer the greens. Keep them motivated and your kids will end up liking the greens in the future.Kids tend to do or eat what they see their parents doing or eating. If you give off the green vegetables to your kids and yourself sit with a plate of French fries, then your kids will never learn to eat the veggies. You should be eating the same food you are offering to your kids, because if they notice you eating the green vegetables with satisfaction in front of them, they will try to follow the same. Your persistence will pay off soon.

Which vegetables should be included in the diet of kids? Why do kids hate eating green vegetables? How to make kids eat green vegetables? Discuss here.