Getting my kids to eat healthier

Let them help with preparation... usually mine are more likely to try something new if they helped create it.

I guess I have to admit we are old school in our family, if you dont eat you dont get anything else and that includes TV or Computer time. My husband and I dont sneak foods in or try and trick them, we just say this is what we are trying today and that is the end of the discussion. I admit we get some pouting and see how long we can wait to eat it and maybe we can get away with it, but we always win and they usually end up liking it and eating it the next time no problem.

That is a good approach. We do that sometimes, but usually it is the you have to have at least one spoonful of it, and it has to be a real spoonful. Then you have to say why you don't like it more than just "I don't like it." I think maybe we should go to the this is what we have so eat it, but I prepare my own meals that a different than what the rest of the family eats usually.

First, I just want to say that I'm happy you don't want to hide things in their food! It doesn't teach them to like vegetables or new foods, so it doesn't help them in the long run.

As far as getting older kids to eat new things goes, it can be hard. My kids are still little and love to eat so it hasn't been too hard here. But, some ideas I've seen in magazines are to "decorate" fruits and vegetables. Like standing broccoli florets in a little cheese sauce so the look like trees, making penguins using black olives, cottage cheese and carrots, stuff like that. One thing I suggest to adults who hate vegetables is to try one new vegetable a week and cook it a different way each night. Trying it in different ways will let them experience all aspects of its flavor and texture. Plus, since it can take trying a new food up to 12 times before someone likes it, it gives their brains and taste buds lots of opportunity to try it. Also, if there are foods they do like, like mac and cheese, you can add some vegetables to it. Not to hide them, but to add to the dish. Broccoli and chicken go well with mac and cheese, as do bacon and mushrooms.

A lot of them time my 2 1/2 year old daughter will eat something simply because we're all eating the same thing. My almost 1 year old son will try to take any food we're eating, so it isn't too hard with him, but he's not eating a lot of table foods yet. When I make a meal we all eat it, I don't make anyone anything special. My kids are "lucky" on the nights I have school because they get to eat whatever they want while I'm gone. But on weekends we all eat together and there is no arguing. There are things my daughter won't normally want to eat, but she does it when she sees us eating it too. Not offering another option can work a lot of the time. Kids won't go more than one or two nights of not eating. No one likes feeling hungry!

My kids are 8 and 4 and I have had them shop for me, I give them $20 and tell them to buy healthy foods for the week. I was happy to know that my son loves pea pods and tomatoes. We have wooden skewers and make fruit arrangements with different shapes and cookie cutters (like the professional ones) I also have a ribbon vegetable peeler that makes flat ribbon cuts out of carrots, cucumbers and radishes (they are still not sure if they like radish LOL) I am also looking for the tool (from an infomercial that makes fancy flowers and designs) I think it was sold at one time with the Ginsu knife???

That's what I have so far and am interested in other ideas

My kids are 9 and 4. They absolutely hate to try anything new. I'm curious to hear how some of you get your kids to try different things. I don't necessarily want to "trick" them into eating new things by "hiding" it in their food. I want them to have an appreciation for healthy foods. What do you do?

This is exactly one of my biggest motivations for being here. I have twins. My daughter tends to be slightly overweight. Her brother is slightly underweight. She will eat almost anything and goes way over when it comes to portion control. He is extremely picky and will literally walk away from a bowl of ice cream when he feels like he has had enough.

I really wanted to be a better example for both of them. So, here I am. I agree with the poster who suggested letting them help. My son really likes helping in the kitchen. If he has had a hand in preparing it, he is a little more agreeable to trying it.

Happy cooking!

My kids are 8 and 4 and I have had them shop for me, I give them $20 and tell them to buy healthy foods for the week. I was happy to know that my son loves pea pods and tomatoes. We have wooden skewers and make fruit arrangements with different shapes and cookie cutters (like the professional ones) I also have a ribbon vegetable peeler that makes flat ribbon cuts out of carrots, cucumbers and radishes (they are still not sure if they like radish LOL) I am also looking for the tool (from an infomercial that makes fancy flowers and designs) I think it was sold at one time with the Ginsu knife???

That's what I have so far and am interested in other ideas

Try looking at an Asian market for the flower tool. They'll probably have it and others. Also try looking at pictures of Japanese Bento lunches, they're super cute!


Thanks for the tip!!! Yes, those lunches look great! I found this on a site about them and I totally agree....

Japanese people attach great importance to the appearance of their food. Part of the fun of making a box lunch is creating a visually appealing arrangement that will whet the appetite.