How to get my 8 year old to eat vegetables?

Mary - posted on 09/12/2009

I've found that if I make a "smoothie" for my kids, I can add just about any vegetable. I've put in spinach, beets, broccoli, even FISH OIL etc. Just make sure to add enough yogurt or fruit (I add cocomut too) to mask the taste. My kids gulp it down. They think it's a treat and I treat it as such. Hope that helps.

Keri - posted on 09/11/2009

try putting some veggies in a blender or food processor until smooth and then adding them to your mashed potatoes....

Shea - posted on 09/11/2009

Well, lol I'm not sure I agree with the go without method, but to each his or her own. My son is an always has been a picky eater. For the longest he would not eat meat. as in at all ! I worried of course about his protein intake. Thank goodness he would eat loads of eggs! He has also never been fond of most veggies..lol...( told you he was picky) I never forced or bribed or anything like that. I gave options and a great multi-vitamin! here try this or that each time I tried a new way of preparing said option. Yes it's a pain to do, but it is so worth it. Their taste buds change so much over the years you never know what they will like. Why force them into a bad memory of a certain food. Keegan is now 10 soon to be 11 and he eats meat. Not steak or pork chops but he will eat chicken and hamburger and any kind of seafood ..shoot he even tried frog legs! [his idea :~) ] We also found out in our"test kitchen" lol that he doesn't like cooked carrots, but will eat a whole bag of raw carrots if allowed ! So for me it's about choices and allowing your child's taste buds to mature with them. Strength and food doesn't mix for this family. Patience & elbow grease ( don't forget the multi-vitamin) in the kitchen do. Good Luck!

Katherine - posted on 09/11/2009

I have 5 kids & they all eat their veges, u have 2 be strong & tell them that either they eat whats put in front of them or they go without, kids will eat when they r hungry, they will not starve if they go without 4 1 night, especially if u dont have issues with breakfast or lunch, being strong & consistent is the key.

Angela - posted on 09/10/2009

Make a chart and start small after 5 stars give a small reward and work on up after a while they will eat them and not think a thing about it,Make sure mom and dad eats thiers too lol

Twyla - posted on 09/10/2009

ranch dressing

Dawn - posted on 09/10/2009

My daughter is also 8 and also has a hard time eating veggies. I make meals where I can disguise them. There are times she figures it out and realizes they arent as bad as she thought.

Anu - posted on 09/10/2009

u can cut vegetables like carrot,beans,etc into 2 inches long n thin strips n dip them in a batter of all pourpse flour-50 gms,corn flour-50 gms,pinch of salt n pepper little soya sauce n water mix well to dropping consistency.deep fry them,they become crispy childern love it with ketchup.u can add cauliflower, mushrooms, brocoli.its so colourful that children like.these r called veg crispies

Shirlybeth - posted on 09/10/2009

It is also hard for me to let my kids eat vegetables. What I did was i cooked fried chicken and made gravy using carrots and Broccoli try it, they will love it with out knowing that it is made of vegetables.

Crystal - posted on 09/09/2009

If he will eat meat and potatoes, then make a stew with V-8 juice as the base. Also, a friend of mine would puree the veggies her kids didn't like and add it into soups and stews. If they mentioned being able to taste it, she would just say "oh, well if you find it in there just pick it out". hehe ; )

Cheri - posted on 09/09/2009

Judy, you're funny! You just forgot mashed potatoes, spanish rice, burritos, sea salt, etc, etc.

Anna - posted on 09/09/2009

Cut them up really small or grate them and hide them in something he likes. Like you can make your own hamburgers with grated carrot, mushroom, zucchini etc in them. Things like lasagne are good. Homemade soup is great - try putting it through the blender so he can't tell what's in it.

JUDY - posted on 09/09/2009

CHEESE!!!!!!!!!!!
BUTTER AND SALT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheri - posted on 09/09/2009

I write and publish articles online for moms! Health and nutritions recipes that kids love as well as other matters for moms like me! My articles with solutions are located at AssociatedContent.com search Cheri Majors, M.S.
Cheri

Keri - posted on 09/09/2009

Luckily my kids love veggies, but at 8 you might have some difficulty introducing them just on their own. Here is a site that has some good recipes for hiding veggies. You can also shred just about any veggie and put it in meatloaf.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-c...

Monica - posted on 09/09/2009

My 8 year old loves to drink V8 splash fruit juice that has vegetables in the juice, except he can't taste it. Also try pureeing green beans or peas and mixing it with another food so he doesn't detect it.

Katrina - posted on 09/09/2009

Will he eats mashed potatoes? if so wot about mashing sum vegetables in to the mash

Stacey - posted on 09/09/2009

I find it very difficult too. My son only eats cold carrots and apples..