I recently had someone on my face book page ask me what she could do to get her young kids to eat veggies.  This was a tough one for me because I also have issues with my son eating his fruits and vegetables.  I began to feel torn on what I should tell her, so I began to research, and begin implementing them with my own kids.  Here are some of my findings and own personal takes on them.  So far my son is enjoying more fruits rather than veggies, and through this I am able to introduce these foods to my daughter.  

 

1. Let your child help you prepare the foods. 

When the child watches you prepare the meals it will give him an opportunity to taste the items and like them.  You can have him help you wash the fruits and veggies, and have him place them on the dish.  You can show him the different colors and shapes along the way.

2.  Get creative and crafty. 

When preparing fruits or veggies create stories and use them as characters.  For example,  broccoli are trees, and green beans are grass you can say that he is a dinosaur eating off the land.  This will help teach him that veggies are fun.  Sometimes singing songs will help him acquire an interest for them. 

3.  Mixing the veggies in with other foods. 

Sometimes I mix peas or corn inside of mashed potatoes, or macaroni and cheese.  There are rare occasions when he picks them out, but most of the time he misses them and eats it.  You can also look for healthy ideas or recipes on pinterest, I use this application to find great ideas and they are very simple and helpful.

4.  Let him see you eat fruits and veggies. 

     Kids practice whatever your doing, if they see you eating something they want it.  Instead of eating chips or crackers, have a banana or carrots and ranch this may help motivate him to crave fruits and veggies.

 

            As always try and remember that every child is different.  Sometimes as parents we tend to over analyze things because our child isn’t doing what every other child is doing.  Kids will acquire a liking for vegetables at the right time.  We have to introduce it to them slowly and make it interesting.  If they see us get angry or frustrated, they will turn from it just to spite us or get a rise out of us.  Today there are so many juices that have real vegetables and the child may like that and it counts as one serving of fruits and vegetables. 

            Signing off for now, remember to share is to care so pass on this information to other mommies.  Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.  Together we can strive for mommy success.