No, Seriously: How do you learn to eat vegetables?

asmithstl

There is a cook book called "deceptivley delicious". It has lots of recipies that are super healthy, with veggies hidden in them. It works great for kids --- and grown ups!

ilovethelaw07

Try cooking them different ways. One of my favorite ways is to roast them, 425 F for 25 to 35 minutes, or until tender. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season if you want to. Try chunks of sweet potatoes, butternut squash, carrots, parsnips, green peppers, onions. Asparagus is also divine roasted. You can also roast brussel sprouts and cauliflower.... pretty much most veggies. When you roast peppers and onions, be sure to leave them in big chunks or they'll burn.

Good luck!

Agreed! Roasting with a little olive oil is great!

bumblebums

Google "green smoothie recipe". You end up consuming a lot of vegetables that way without having to chew them or look at them

Lynn_babcock

Sad! Sorry. I love veggies and it didn't come from the way I was raised.. my mom liked putting butter on all vegetables and boiling them hard... if there were vegetables at all. What I mostly remember was that nasty corn//carrot/green bean/lima bean frozen mixture... hated that stuff. Dad would put in a garden though.. so us kids would go out there and ate everything... not every year though.

I have 2 boys ages 5 and 3 that will decimate broccoli as I bring it into the house. I'll be unpacking the car still and it's like they can smell broccoli through the shopping bag. They grab broccoli and run. All I'll find later and the big stalks. I peel that and save it for soup. I just love that they like veggies so much. I think what has really helped with that is that we put a garden in every year.. the kids help till, plant, water, pull weeds, and pick. Because they helped from the start it makes them more proud of it and they'll eat veggies like crazy. We don't have much junk food around the house though. I buy a box of mac and cheese about once a month. Every once in awhile I'll get a box of ramen noodles (twice a year). Other than that it's all homemade from scratch. I would say processed foods 'taste' better.. but I think you get used to food that is homemade and better for you if the other option isn't even there. My 5 year old cries if we're out to eat and one of us gets a salad and he doesn't... and he really does eat it all. I make Hidden Valley ranch from the dry package.. it's the best tasting dressing imo. For us grown-ups I make it with 3/4 fat free mayo, 1/4 regular mayo. I wouldn't eat salad if I had to eat it was a dressing I didn't like.

Get the other stuff out of the picture.. the good tasting junk-type foods. I have at least 1 and usually 2 vegetables for dinner, 1 starch and meat.. or a dish with some meat in it. More than 1 vegetable option for a meal is a good idea. Potion out your starch and meat so that if that's all you eat you'd leave the table hungry. Will help encourage the desire to fill up with vegetables. Vegetables are so cheap too. Beef is $3.50/# +, chicken breast is at least $2.50/#.. broccoli crown are about $1.40/#, yellow squash about the same... you can really stretch a meal for the money and calories by making at least half as vegetables.

wildcata77

I'm another one that just grew up going to pick-your-own farms, farmers markets, working in my grandma's garden, etc. so I've always loved most veggies, but all I can say is keep trying them different ways.

Some studies say that for a child developing it's taste, it can take up to 20 rejections before they learn to like something. I've seen this in action with my 3.5 year old. He used to spit out most veggies, but now loves any beans, tomatoes, cucumber, and will eat green beans, brocolli, collards (!), and pretty much all fruit or sweet veggies like squash and sweet potatoes.

I'd start with a roasted root veggie dish. The natural sweetness in carrots, parsnips, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes are easy for most people to love. Once you master this, add (fresh, not the boxed frozen slimy) brussels sprouts, halved to the mix.

Get a pan large enough to fit your veggies, and cut them all into about 1" cubes or at least similar sizesof peeled root vegetables. Toss with olive oil or spray with cooking spray, place them in one layer on the pan, and roast at 450 degrees until you can stick a fork in fairly easily.

bumblebums

About juicing--I think that's a waste, frankly. One of the most valuable things vegetables contribute is fiber, which helps you stay full.

cwolfman13

Put them in sauces, soups, stews, casseroles, etc.

Fairysoul

I loved veggies always, but maybe try a stir fry?

kellyraesmik

I suggest blending them and adding to sauces (such as spaghetti sauce) to "sneak" them in. Or if you like smoothies its real easy to sneak in a carrot or some spinach or kale! You'll barely notice them with sweet fruits.

dhiammarath

I hate food. (Ironic, isn't it? Considering I packed on the pounds, but I had a serious addiction to venti Starbucks coffees, and I did like *certain* foods... Seriously. Coffee. It's my weakness.) Although, that's seriously overstated there, but it is true that I dislike *most* foods. Before I changed things upside down, my favorite saying was: "I can taste the green!!" And it's true, I could.

I hated every vegetable known to man (just about), except for carrots, potatoes, and all different kinds of beans. If it was green, though? Gross! (except green beans, but I never claimed this made sense!!)

As I changed my eating habits and cut out all the sugar (boy was I spoiling my tastebuds BIG TIME), I noticed that my tastes have changed. A LOT. Over time, I've even developed a taste for SALADs. I seek them out sometimes, even. Gasp! Now, there's a lot of vegetables I just don't like and will never like, but I'm growing more and more into liking the "borderline" ones now. I even tried broccoli and "couldn't taste the green" and "almost" liked it. Almost. Work-in-progress.

Eating healthier has made me want healthier things.

So I'd say, maybe start slow and see what you like and how you like it. I still can't stand lettuce on a sandwich (I'm big on texture and that just grosses me out), but I can eat (most) salads now.

Plus, I started rationalizing trying vegetables with "These are lower calorie. By eating this rubbish, I can eat more STEAK *and* get a coffee after dinner!" I'd eat the things I didn't like first, then the stuff I loved was the "reward". A way to positively reinforce my behavior. Plus, coffee is my ultimate reward if I have the calories for it. COFFEE.

This is what worked for me!

Though it's done nothing for my coffee addiction, but I've cut down my coffees to 10 calories or less!

kornmaiden

trader joe's sells a great low calorie queso, you could steam them and add that. Or try raw with low cal dip

krokador

I don't really like vegetables, but most of 'em I don't hate, either. Like, I tolerate them, kind of? So I hear ya on the struggle.

I make what I call veggie and fruits salads, and basically have it as a side with almost every meal. Chop up a bunch of different veggies which you may not like but can stand to eat and dump them in a giant bowl, add one or two you don't like very much to the mix, add an apple and tomatoes or cucumbers, sometimes I do corn but not as much anymore (high sugar/carbs, but they make things nom!) a bit of salad spices (don,' go overboard, there could be a lot of salt) mix together, split into portions and add the dressing you feel like having just before you eat it (that way you can keep it for a couple days in the fridge).

The trick is to not overdo it with the dressing. If you like balsamic vinegar, that's a good one to try and use. Drop of it and a drop of maple syrup in about a cup and a half of that veggie salad.

When I don't have enough time, I just pick up whatever's fastest to fix (usually spinach and a tomato) and down it before my meal. So I'm over and done with it.

Frozen vegetables are also a decent way to start. I just nukle mine in the microwave for like 4 mins from the frozen state. Sometimes add a bit of spices but most of the time just keep them natural. The taste/texture is a lot milder, so it's easier to get accustomed to it.

JustinAnimal

Force yourself until you're used to it. That's how I got myself into raw veggies, diet coke, exercise, foot massages, plenty of other things.

I used to make big salads, putting on tons of different veggies even if they didn't mesh well. I would make sure I had enough calories in my diary to put on things I like (hard cooked egg, croutons, baked chicken, cheese, light-yet-tasty dressing). This way I got the nutrients I needed in raw veggie form but still had tasty meals.

I will suggest this tex-mex salad that my girl and I make. Do veggies fajita style (bell peppers, onions, carrots, mushrooms in a soy / lime juice marinade), let them cool. Throw them on greens with black beans, corn, cilantro, whatever you like.

The dressing is salsa and this really low cal deliciousness that we make. Mince chipotle peppers (from a can) and stir into nonfat yogurt. Nice and spicy and the worst thing on there is maybe the veggies. If you have enough calories to spare, grate cheddar and toss on some crumbled up tortilla chips, chicken, shrimp, tofu, whatever. Sometimes we make HUGE salads like this. The spiciness keeps you full and it is so tasty, I swear it's one of my favorite things to eat these days.

schondell

Steamed broccoli and carrots are amazing and even if you don't like it for yourself, feed it to your child

lindsyrox

I'm in the same boat! i didn't eat them growing up and have this stigma against them, so not only is it a mental hurdle but i also have no idea what part of the plant to eat or how to prepare it. I've started trying things based on what my friends are eating and then i google how to eat it. I also try to eat it very plain so i get an idea of what exactly it tastes like etc, even if i dont care for it plain i can then play w/ the idea of if i want to dice it shred it or otherwise obliterate it into the foods i do like. I found last year that i like Tomatos! Had never had an actual tomato before outside of ketchup or pizza sauce and now i'll put them in burritos sandwiches etc, nom nom!

So just get out there, grab a new exciting veggie from the produce dept google what you should do with it and go on a taste adventure

lilly_star

I love stirfry's for a good dose of veggies. I don't use oil just season with chilli, garlic, ginger and 1 tsp of tamari sauce. Delicious!

theplatypus

Oven roasted veggies are the BEST! Just a little olive oil (which has lots of good fats) and some salt and pepper. Cauliflower, asparagus, or squash taste awesome when cooked this way.

ajourney2beme

I've always struggled with some Raw veggies (peppers, onions, celery, carrots) but I find that steamed veggies are really good. I can only eat regular carrots cooked, but baby carrots I can do raw and especially steamed. I'll under steam things just to give them a little bit of softness but still maintain their crunch which works for me. I have to agree with doing veggies in different ways though, start off with smoothies .. or try to 'hide' veggies in things. I hear there's a lot of versatility/ability to replace things with cauliflower such as making 'mashed potatoes' with them, or as a replacement as rice in some dishes.

Good luck with your veggies!

sanndandi

About juicing--I think that's a waste, frankly. One of the most valuable things vegetables contribute is fiber, which helps you stay full.

I've learned to keep the "waste" from my carrot juicing and re-use/ sneak them into meatloaf, and carrot cake, etc. . I'm sure there are other uses for other veggies & fruits so that the fiber isn't thrown out and wasted.

Fat_Bottomed_Girl

I'm not a fan to too many raw vegetables, but roasted vegetables? I love roasted vegetables... Have you tried them that way? Just lightly coat with olive oil and sea salt and throw in the oven. Can do with broccoli and then add some lemon juice at the end. I also love roasted red pepper with goat cheese on top.

gramarye

Thanks for the tips! (And the links!)

I'm definitely going to have to learn how to steam vegetables; it sounds like a lot of y'all roll that way. I'm still learning how to cook & spice more than my stable of, like, eight meals, so now is certainly as good a time as any.

mussmom

For your child-cheddar cheese on top of any steamed veggie work wonders with my boys. Now the will eat veggies raw. All kids like spaghetti, don't they? I have finely chopped zucchini, raw spinach, and even broccoli and added it to the sauce. The blending, then mixing it in stuff is also a great idea. Also, once I cooked cut in half brussel sprouts with a bit of coconut oil and threw in a Tbs of bacon bits. My 11 year old ate mine and I had to make more! I just cooked it in the frying pan til the sprouts were a bright green and still a bit crunchy. Also mix mashed cauliflower in Mac and cheese. Good luck!

RobfromLakewood

Open mouth... put veggie in mouth... close mouth... bite... move jaw up and down several times... swollow.

thats how I do it.

Agreed, I have resigned them to something I should do, is good for me, so I should do and it seems I don't hate them as much. Still not a huge fan, but it is improved.

manofpies

Vinegar.. Works a treat with greens.

Tw1zzler

Don't over cook them, the more often you eat them you will eventually either grow to like them or still hate them. I cannot eat lima beans or kohlrabi... ever... but love most other veggies. For spinach I saute a clove of chopped garlic in olive oil, then add spinach and a splash of white wine or broth. For green beans, I cook diced bacon, add the green beans and a little salsa.

marsellient

Vinegar.. Works a treat with greens.

Yes! I read through all the suggestions and was about to add this. Sauté greens and add an acid: vinegar or lemon juice. I was almost 50 before I learned to love cooked greens because I didn't know to do this. For stir fry, how about adding a stir fry sauce if you have the calories and roasting or grilling, as others have said, is another good way to get lots of veggies in.

Experiment! Raw with dip. Grated and added to other foods. Cheese on top. You'll learn to love them.

ETA: Lemon juice is a good addition to lots of vegetables.

bjshields

I just got a Nutribullet a week ago, and I love it. For me, I'm adding a green/fruit drink in the morning to my already good (but not perfect) diet. For my daughters, it's been a godsend, because I can hide greens inside a fruity drink (and if you get frozen fruit, it's like a smoothie). My kids are getting more nutrition than they ever have, simply because they can easily stomach it.

If not the Nutribullet, you can get a juicer and try it. Doesn't work for everybody, but it's working for us. Good luck to you!:drinker:

mrykyldy2

One thing I have come to realize is that veggies get borins so quickly. I used to just steam them, as we mostly ate brocolli, asparagus, brussel sprouts, artichokes, and cauliflower. Those are all great but very limiting and boring. I learned to cook veggies in various ways. I check allrecipes.com and transfer the ones that I like to an app for my nook so I can have the recipe there in the kitchen while I cook it. It has worked well for me. A couple of our favs are eggplant parmesean and asparagus parmesean. Sauteed zucchini is pretty good. The amazing thing is is that they are pretty easy to make, well the eggplant is a little more involved but still not difficult to do. It is more of a side dish for when you have a little more time to cook like a day off.

kikilita

Yeah, I hate veggies, too. Uggggh........

Firefox7275

I don't like veggies. I don't like the way they taste, I don't like the texture.

I'm trying to find ways to eat them healthily (read: not cooked to death and soaked in butter), and so far I mostly like spinach. In things. Sometimes. I not only want to eat more healthy food, but I also want to model better eating habits to the child (almost four). I just have no idea now to start.

Just now, I wanted a sandwich. I didn't want the bread, so I tried this lettuce wrap thing. It was tolerable, but it took me ten minutes to even take the first bite.

Well done for wanting to change for the sake of your child, I wish more people were like you. That doesn't sound like just disliking produce, ten minutes sounds bordering on food phobia. If so it would be worth seeking medical support for that. How can you dislike all textures, a cooked mushroom is totally different from a raw bell pepper, roasted carrot totally different to raw carrot for example?

I just kept tasting healthy foods prepared in different ways until I liked or could tolerate a reasonable selection. Still don't eat much of the one texture/ taste I really loathe: cooked squash and (most) cooked root vegetables. I can eat a whole lot more vegetables with some sort of sauce than plain - South Asian curry, cheese, East Asian stir fry, stews/ casseroles, tomato and veg pasta sauce, smoothies, soups, dips, non leafy salads like coleslaw with dressing and so on.

Sounds a bit OCD/ eccentric (and it is!) but it helps me to select what I buy and eat partly based on the colour groups - blue/ purple, red, green, yellow/ orange. I guess it reminds me I am doing it for health and it certainly forces me to eat more dark green stuff. I also looked up the nutrient content of many (partly for my work in lifestyle healthcare) and I just don't bother with foods I don't really like that are not really nutritious such as cucumber.