How are you getting your child to eat their Veggies??????

Gayle - posted on 06/09/2009

My kids eat vegetables with little to no force!! I have been giving them vegetables ever since they could start eating regular food. I try to make it a little more apealing to them though by adding cheese, making a mini vegetable pizza, or just giving them ranch dressing to eat it with!!

Sidone - posted on 05/06/2009

my 4yr old went through a bit of a phase were he wouldnt eat his vegggies but my 6yr old always has.. i agree with the 'superhero' bit and stuff like carrots help your eyes see in the dark.. broccoli and cauliflower are like trees, and you can get bit and strong like trees..this works now and sometimes he doesnt even batter an eye when he eats them...

Now the problem is pototoes.. any type cooked anyway.. mashed, shipped, bolied, roasted, frozen chips, wedges, any of them he just wont eat them... same with pasta, wont eat that without pulling a face but we know a fireman and we say that to be and strong like the fireman he eats lots of pasta.. he still doesnt like it but he eats a little.. and a bit more if its got sald cream on... he'll eat anything with salad cream! except the pototoes lol :O) the only variety he will eat without no doubt is McD's chips but he only gets them once every few weeks if that!

i've rambled enough now - sorry :O) x

Laura - posted on 04/02/2009

The ranch trick worked awesome for my son when he was younger. My daughter eats them no matter what. But recently my son has started his lil fits with veggies again and I put a tiny bit of butter and a tiny bit of parmesan cheese on them and he devours them. It all depends on their tastes.

Christian - posted on 03/13/2009

I agree with both the "ranch" trick and the Superheroes angle, I've done both. Another idea? Add veggies to already favorites, not hidden. Cheeseburger macaroni, make it and then mix in 1/2 can peas, drained. When he asks, you say real casual, "those are peas" and eat them with your meal. My youngest is this age so by now i've learned (after MANY mishapps w/ the older 2) if its not a big deal, and everybody's doing it than he will too. Another good one? chunky peices of sauted bell peppers and onions in spaghetti sauce. Same idea, if they ask, yup, its in there, if they don't do not bring it up. The idea is veggies are just another thing we eat, no big deal.

Good luck!

Crystal - posted on 03/07/2009

We had this problem with Dylan so instead of trying to hide the taste etc or force him to eat them i just started telling them what they are good for i.e carrots are good for eye sight etc... Now he eats carrots straight out of the fridge and tells me that he is going to be able to see in the dark one day :) and also we tell him that spiderman and batman eat all the brocolli and cauliflower etc and thats what makes them soooo strong!! We found he now likes to tell us the benefits that he is getting from his veggies

Kathryn - posted on 02/11/2009

My son LOVES smoothies, or I make them into popsicles,(frozen fruit with carrots or zucchini, blend with apple, orange juice or yogourt). He will eat veggies with "dip" , celery with cheese or PB. I add potato squash in with my mashed pots and even my older kids dont notice because its a light yellow color. Zucchini or banana bread with choc chips. The food processor works great for adding very tiny pieces of veggies to anything...hamburger, pancakes, rice, etc.

Marly - posted on 02/10/2009

I like to have veggies sitting there in front of them While I'm cooking dinner and they watch. They end up snacking on the veggies the whole time. We also have a one bite rule I instituted early on. My 6 year follows it much better than my 4 year old.

Francine - posted on 02/08/2009

I wish I could really help you but my 4 year olds loves vegetables but my 6 year old likes only a few.  If you cut veggies or blend them really good and mix it in a sauce that has a stronger taste to the veggies he may eat it.  Or make it fun to eat.

Beth - posted on 01/23/2009

Quoting Lori:

You should check out Rachael Rays YumO cookbook. It has alot of great ideas on how to mask veggies in just about everything kids eat.. Or else even the V8 Splash drinks.. as long as you shake them well tey taste great.. I know my son has always loved dip for his veggies, and it doesnt matter if they are raw or cooked a lil ranch always does the trick.

Thanks, I do have Deceptively delicious by jessica Seinfeld. It was pretty helpful too. I didn't even think about the V8!!! thatnks!

Lori - posted on 01/22/2009

You should check out Rachael Rays YumO cookbook. It has alot of great ideas on how to mask veggies in just about everything kids eat.. Or else even the V8 Splash drinks.. as long as you shake them well tey taste great.. I know my son has always loved dip for his veggies, and it doesnt matter if they are raw or cooked a lil ranch always does the trick.