{"id":21262,"date":"2019-05-20T08:36:14","date_gmt":"2019-05-20T15:36:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/preemietwins.com\/growing-big-and-strong-how-to-get-kids-to-eat-vegetables"},"modified":"2019-05-20T08:38:27","modified_gmt":"2019-05-20T15:38:27","slug":"growing-big-and-strong-how-to-get-kids-to-eat-vegetables","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/preemietwins.com\/growing-big-and-strong-how-to-get-kids-to-eat-vegetables\/","title":{"rendered":"Growing Big And Strong: How To Get Kids To Eat Vegetables"},"content":{"rendered":"
90% of American children<\/p>\n aren’t eating enough vegetables. What’s worse is that roughly one-third of vegetables that children do eat are white potatoes, usually in the form of French fries or chips.<\/p>\n If you have a picky eater in your house, you know that figuring out how to get kids to eat vegetables can be a real challenge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, it can be done. By following a few simple tips and tricks, you can get your kids to enjoy a more well-rounded diet<\/a> in no time.<\/p>\n Do you want to know more? Keep reading to discover our top methods for getting your kids to get their veggies.\n<\/p>\n \nDo your kids ask for a snack after school or before bed? Instead of reaching for their normal snacks, consider giving them vegetables.<\/p>\n Many kids can be persuaded to eat vegetables when you make them more enticing. So, consider giving them peanut butter, ranch, or hummus to dip their veggies in.<\/p>\n You could also play with shapes to make them seem more fun. Instead of cutting bell peppers into strips, consider using a small cookie cutter to make stars or hearts.\n<\/p>\n \nOnce your kids get used to eating vegetables as snacks, make sure you keep some veggies ready to eat. Wash them, cut them up, and keep them in plain sight in the refrigerator. This will give older kids the chance to just grab them and start munching away.\n<\/p>\n \nDo you typically serve vegetables the same way every time? Children who avoid eating steamed or raw vegetable may be persuaded to give them a chance if they are prepared differently.<\/p>\n Consider oven-baking them with a little olive oil and seasonings. This will help give the vegetables a crispier texture and can cover up the vegetable taste in a healthy way. You could also try using a bit of melted cheese or butter to make them taste better.\n<\/p>\n \nOne of the best ways you can ensure you and your kids are getting enough vegetables is to have vegetarian days. Pick one day a week and commit to having a veggie-packed meal.<\/p>\n Consider making a vegetarian version of your child’s favorite food, like veggie burgers, tacos, or chili.\n<\/p>\n \nOf course, you don’t have to go full-on vegetarian to sneak those veggies in. There are tons of ways you can hide vegetables in your child’s meals.<\/p>\n Consider grating cauliflower and mixing it in with mac and cheese. You could also throw some spaghetti squash in with regular pasta. Spinach or peppers can be chopped up finely and mixed in with pizza sauce.<\/p>\n One of the best ways to incorporate veggies is to blend them in a fruit smoothie. The taste of the fruit will overpower the vegetables, but they’ll still be getting all those vital nutrients. If your child would avoid drinking it due to the green color, consider putting it in a solid cup with a lid and straw or give it a fun name, like a Hulk or Shrek smoothie.\n<\/p>\n \nYou’ve probably noticed by now that kids of all ages love being in charge, whether that comes in the form of dictating their poses during a baby photography<\/a> session or deciding what to wear. Sometimes, refusal to eat vegetables is merely them trying to be in control.<\/p>\n To get around this, consider letting your kids be the boss. Take them to the grocery store, and let them pick out what vegetables your family will eat that week.<\/p>\n You could also do this day-by-day. Stock up on a variety of veggies, and ask your child which one they’d like for dinner that night. When given a choice, they may be more likely to eat it.\n<\/p>\n \nAnother great way to help your kids feel in control is to have them help out in the kitchen. Have them make the salad or toss the veggies in olive oil and seasonings.<\/p>\n Making this a fun experience will also help them have a more positive attitude towards vegetables.\n<\/p>\n \nIt’s no secret that kids mimic the behaviors they see. So, if you’re constantly snacking on chips while telling your kids to have vegetables, they’ll be more likely to rebel.<\/p>\nProvide Them as Snacks<\/h2>\n
Keep Them Ready to Eat<\/h2>\n
Try Preparing Them Differently<\/h2>\n
Have Vegetarian Days<\/h2>\n
Incorporate Them into Recipes<\/h2>\n
Let Your Kids Be the Boss<\/h2>\n
Have Them Help Out in the Kitchen<\/h2>\n
Be a Good Role Model<\/h2>\n