How can I incorporate more vegetables into my 21 month olds diet?

Sarah - posted on 09/14/2012

Just being honest, I would sneak veggies into my son's foods. Grilled cheese and shredded carrot sandwich? The cheese and carrots around around the same color, just watch out for stray shreds peeking out, your little man will know somethings up. But, if he likes the way it tastes, then it shouldn't matter to him. I also put little bits of broccoli into my son's macaroni and cheese. Also aim for adding some vegetables that he's sure to like, like sweet potatoes. Just remember that if you wouldn't want to eat it, then he probably doesn't want to either. So be fair. If you can't stand peas, then there may be a vegetable that he hates, plain and simple. I knew when Jude hated something, because he would twist up his face and shake, lol.

Beth - posted on 01/28/2012

offering CONSTANTLY vegetables, and keeping in mind serving portion for the age is a SCANT 1/4 cup, so 5 greenbeans, is more than a serving

try different things, the twingles LOVE carrots, but only in carrot "Chips" made from bigger carrots

jicama, minced broccoli/cauli/corn/peas mix , called "mesclun" mix in the latino areas is a big hit with ALL the kids



my favorite FAST meal is a quick stir up of onions/brown mushrooms and the mesclun mix and frozen rice, dinner is ready in less than 10 minutes

Tiffany - posted on 10/08/2011

Just keep offering it to him. Do not punish or reward him for eating/not eating. You control what you offer him and he gets to control what he eats from that. Having said that follow the guidelines for how much dairy/meat he is given. If he's already had a days worth of dairy there's no need to keep offering him more...He will not starve. If he is hungry enough he will eat. Offer more water with meals too. Milk acts as a food in the body and fills you up. If he's downing milk all day he may not be hungry enough to try anything he doesn't know he likes. Offer plenty of veggies with lunch/dinner and snacks. Give him some baked sweet potatoe fries, salad pulsed to tabouli consistancy, peas, steamed carrots, lima beans, squash, etc...Sometimes offer hummus to dip the veggies in. You can add veggies to sauces he likes (purees and/or chunks) and put it over whole grain pastas. You can make veggie pizza on a whole grain english muffin or a pizza roll up with a tortilla (add mushrooms, eggplant, artichoke, bell peppers, etc...maybe just start with one or two at a time). You can add veggies to his eggs. Do scrambled eggs with cheese, spinach and mushrooms with a side of red skin potatoes with organic (low sugar) ketchup. Offer a variety of low sodium vegetable soups. You can make your own or buy cans (I recommend Amy's low sodium organic or Imagines). As of right now I am yet to find anything my boys won't eat (knock on wood), but they LOVE soup...pea, butternut squash, vegetable, black bean, carrot ginger, veg lentil, chickpea bisque, etc.. Last, but not least be a good role model. If he sees you eating veggies at every meal he may be more likely to want to try them as.well. My boys want to eat everything I am eating. In fact they often want mine even when they are given the same thing...silly one year olds. :) Hope this helps give you some ideas. Good luck!!!