How To Get A Toddler To Eat Vegetables | Wriggly Toes

The fact that kids should eat their veggies is as old as time. Even the government-based website, ChooseMyPlate.gov , agrees with that, advising parents to fill half of their children’s plates with produce. Why? Because they simply need them to get enough nutrients, grow strong, develop their brain function, and build a robust immune system that’ll tackle any disease, from obesity to cancer.

Unfortunately, kids are kids, and they’ll do anything to avoid eating their fair share of greens (even toss their peas into the dog’s bowl). That’s why 9 in 10 children didn’t eat enough vegetables from 2007 to 2010. FYI, they still don’t.

But, let’s be honest: Your kiddo doesn’t care about nutrition nor statistics. So, it can be challenging to make her eat those veggies. But, before you throw in the towel, know that there are ways to deal with this issue peacefully.

In fact, here are 19 fail-safe tips to get your toddler to eat vegetables without her putting up a fight. Some of these tips are even backed by science, so you have a pretty good shot at nailing this.

1. Embrace the Pureed Side of Life

According to a recent study by the Pennsylvania State University , preschool children tend to eat twice as many vegetables as their peers when pureed. However, I’m not a fan of “hiding” veggies inside a food because this tactic could easily backfire and turn you into the “bad guy.”

So, my suggestion is: Serve pureed vegetables alongside your kid’s favorite dish to get them acquainted with the flavor and once they’re used to it, move onto solids.

2. Go For Some Healthier Food Doppelgangers

Certain foods are crowd-pleasers by nature. So, trade those or tweak some of their ingredients with some healthier alternatives for a nutrient boost. For example, swap regular pasta with spaghetti squash or opt for veggie burgers instead of the meaty kind.

You can even substitute taco meat for veggie crumbles. I bet you they will barely notice the difference thanks to the similar texture and flavor.

3. Add Them to Other Foods

This is perhaps the most straightforward way to get a toddler to eat vegetables. Just add zucchini into their cupcakes, carrots, and bell peppers into their Bolognese or tomato to their omelet.

Be careful, though: You should always be honest with your kid regarding the ingredients you put in her food. Let them know that you added a specific vegetable to the mix because if she finds it out on her own, she’ll be suspicious of your intentions from that point on.

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Originally published at https://wrigglytoes.com.au on January 26, 2020.