Most children do not like vegetables. There are varieties of reasons behind it, but with appropriate care and attention you can help your child. Read on to learn about the reasons why children hate vegetables and what should you do.Studies show that almost 80% of children do not like to eat vegetables. Among many reasons, improper presentation of vegetables in front of children is also a vital reason why children start disliking vegetables.
Reasons Why Children Dislike Vegetables
Here are the common reasons why children dislike vegetables.
1. Genes and Anatomy
Experts are of the opinion that parents’ disliking vegetables have kids who hate eating
vegetables. Also, we are born with the sweet taste and all of us get used to eating all the other tastes later on.
2. Taste Development
Apart from sweet taste, your child will need to develop interest for other tastes and this requires lot of time. If this is not done early and properly, they will grow up disliking things like vegetables and ultimately prefer eating taste enhancing foods only. Some vegetables are mushy, fibrous and some are even bitter so try to cook them in kid friendly manner.
3. Lack of Proper Environment
If the environment at home does not pay attention to
healthy eating and if you do not include vegetables in meals your kids will not develop the habit of eating them.
4. Influences
According to scientists, parents’ food preferences play a very important role in creating kids’ food preferences. So, many parents should be blamed if their children do not eat vegetables.
Media has a great impact on children’s minds. Most celebrities endorse fast food chains or soft drink brand, which has direct impact on kids’ minds.
Ways through Which Children Learn to Hate Vegetables
Here are few ways through which children learn to hate vegetables.
Lack of Fun Element
Vegetables are not linked with enjoyment or fun. They are always presented to a kid as healthy element necessary for development. When kids are young, they do not value health, they get attracted towards taste and satisfaction.
Parents’ Nagging
Nagging makes kids repel. When children do not start eating vegetables on the name of health, parents try prompting, nagging and pushing which makes children repel.
Forcing or Bribing
Often parents bribe or
force children to eat vegetables. Even if they finish the vegetables in their plate now for the dessert, they would not eat it when anything tasty is not served.
Sneaking Vegetables in Other Foods
When parents find themselves unable to help their kids eat vegetables, they try to sneak vegetables in different foods so that it enters their body.
Flattery
Last but not the least way that make kids hate vegetables is that parents start over-praising their children just to make them finish the vegetables in their plates.
Ways to Help your Child Eat Vegetables
After knowing the reasons, it is time to learn about some ways in which you can
help your child eat vegetables.
Leave No Option
Prepare a meal that is completed with the vegetables and let your child know that they have to eat what is served. Seeing no option, kids will eat what they are served when they are hungry.
Pay Attention on Environment
When every member of the family eats what is served, kids do not fuss. Also, if elders enjoy vegetables and eat with enthusiasm, kids will follow.
Involve your Child during Preparation Time
When children find themselves part of meal preparation, they enjoy everything. Try to plant some of them in pots and your kids will start loving them.
Make Eating Rules
Making rules related to eating food helps children pay attention to eating vegetables. Make sure this does not come with nagging or by applying force or by hitting and start with small portions.
Children take time to do lots of things really well. Now that you know how to help your child start liking vegetables, you should have some patience.
How to make children eat vegetables? Why do children dislike eating vegetables? What is the importance of including vegetables in the diet of children? Discuss here.
