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Struggling to get your child to eat their greens?

Transform vegetable aversion in your child: Tackle their dislike of vegetables.

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Disdain for Broccoli and Cauliflower Common Among Kids, but Creative Approaches Carry Potential for...
Disdain for Broccoli and Cauliflower Common Among Kids, but Creative Approaches Carry Potential for Encouraging Healthy Diets sans Tantrums

Veggie Dilemma: Got a Picker Eater on Your Hands? Here's Your Solution

  • Written by: Maria Kirady
  • Time: Approx 6 Min Read

Transform your child's vegetable aversion: - Struggling to get your child to eat their greens?

It appears that we, as humans, incline towards junk food more than healthier options, especially during our early years. If presented with a choice between a slice of cake and a heap of broccoli, a steaming bowl of pasta or a salad, most kids would prefer the sugary or carbs-laden food over the greens.

  • Health Habits
  • Kids' Meals
  • Green Cuisine

Now, you might be wondering how to get your kid to dive into salads without a fuss. Fear not, here's a guide to help make those leafy greens more appealing to your young one.

Tips for Turning Picks into Chompers

  1. Involve them in the Meal Creation: Enable your child to join you in the kitchen. The excitement of helping out can pique their curiosity about the meal at hand. Wash veggies with them or let them help add ingredients when you're mixing.
  2. Manage the Mood: Keep mealtime stress-free by minimizing distractions, such as turning off the TV and removing toys. Maintain a 30-minute time limit on meals to prevent mealtime conflicts.
  3. Variety is the Spice of Life: Introduce a new vegetable gradually, as it might take 15-20 attempts for a child to grow fond of it. Pair new veggies with familiar items to give them a sense of comfort.
  4. Use Educational Aids: The MyPlate guide can help your kid understand the importance of eating various vegetables and fruits. Reading books on healthy food habits can also interest them in the art of nutrition.
  5. Avoid Bribery and Battles: Instead of encouraging them with sweets for eating vegetables, consider non-food rewards. Set attainable goals and let them take small steps rather than forcing them to plow through their plates.
  6. Keep it Real: Demonstrate healthy habits by eating healthfully yourself. When children see their parents making healthy food choices, they're more likely to follow suit.
  7. Educate on Labels and Sustainability: Teach them the significance of nutrition labels and sustainability. By learning the impact of price and availability on food choices, they'll become savvy consumers.

Sources: [1-5]

[1] "8 Tips for Successful Picky Eater Strategies." Shape Up Canada. Shape Up Canada, 2020. Web.[2] "Encouraging Picky Eaters to Try New Foods." Health Canada. Canada.ca, 2020. Web.[3] "Teaching Children About Food Labels." United States Department of Agriculture. www.nal.usda.gov, 2018. Web.[4] "Teaching Kids about Healthy Eating Habits." The New Zealand Nutrition Foundation. Nz nutrition foundation, 2019. Web.[5] "Helping Your Child to Eat More Vegetables." Dietitians of Canada. Dietitians of Canada, 2018. Web.

  1. To help develop a lifelong appreciation for a balanced diet, consider integrating science-based concepts such as the Food Pyramid or MyPlate into your community and employment policies related to health-and-wellness, nutrition, and kid's meals.
  2. Encourage the implementation of health-and-wellness initiatives within schools and workplaces, focusing on the importance of consuming a variety of vegetables for optimal health, as supported by nutritional findings and sustainable practices.

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