getting kids to eat veggies
mitsimr
Posts: 194 Member
My daughter is 5 and turns her nose up to everything beyond corn and a basic salad and raw carrots. She will not even eat any of the ingredients that go into a basic salad seperately. I have tried giving her ranch dressing with them but it doesn't work.
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I don't have kids, but my BFF has a 5 yo boy who will eat many veggies. I know she watches short YouTube videos on nutrition with him, such as from Ted Ed. He is very wise to the dangers of too much sugar, which is quite cute IMO. Maybe education is a key. But it may just be the way they feed him too, as he has never been given any fast or 'processed' foods (think Doritos, hot dogs, frozen dinners...) and only on rare occasions get pure sugary treats, so that may have something to do with his ease at eating veggies. (He devours plain broccoli, possibly one of the strangest things I have ever seen!)3
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My daughter unfortunately is hooked on junk food. I am trying to clean it up a bit. I will try youtube videos though. She loves the ones on the circulatory and digestive systems. She is obsessed with how the body works so that could help.0
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Make tomato sauce with vegetables that have been run through a cuisinart and minced very fine. My boys never find them in there.4
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KarlynKeto wrote: »I don't have kids, but my BFF has a 5 yo boy who will eat many veggies. I know she watches short YouTube videos on nutrition with him, such as from Ted Ed. He is very wise to the dangers of too much sugar, which is quite cute IMO. Maybe education is a key. But it may just be the way they feed him too, as he has never been given any fast or 'processed' foods (think Doritos, hot dogs, frozen dinners...) and only on rare occasions get pure sugary treats, so that may have something to do with his ease at eating veggies. (He devours plain broccoli, possibly one of the strangest things I have ever seen!)
THIS! Yes!! I don't have kids but I am a nanny, and have weaned so many kids in the past. I do believe it all starts very early on. I add no salt/sugar at all in the first 2 years, and make everything from scratch (I know it's OK for me to say as a nanny not a parent, plus I can't even follow my own advice for me but still. Haha). The little one I look after now has very low sugar diet (only a tiny amount of added honey, occasional bowl of Cheerios etc) and she eats more veggies that I give her.
I do believe it's amount habit and what they expect, and resetting the tastebuds. Cut down on processed foods, snacks only fruit, and veggies with every single meal. Encourage them to try the veggies but don't force it. And nothing else if they don't eat it. I know it's totally easier said than done!!
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My kid has the big 3 allergies and is very fussy. She can live on pizza, spaghetti, and chicken nuggets if I let her. I used to cajole, bribe, have cryfests to get her to eat veggies because I thought she would drop dead, lol. After being on MFP for awhile I learned about macros and micros and in trying to balance my own diet out, I realized that I could do the same for my family, especially my picky daughter. I learned that it was ok that she didn't have to eatallthevegetables!!! and was I thrilled that pizza had a pretty decent macro profile. The more I read the more relaxed I became about her food and just let her.....be.
She can have her pizza, spaghetti, and nuggets, I just make sure to throw in some spinach or broccoli and some yogurt or applesauce so she gets a variety of vitamins. Hiding veggies in other things never seemed to work for her, as she could immediately taste a change in the food then that was it. She wouldn't trust me for a while after that.
I remembered growing up and my parents forcing peas on me (peas still bug me) and similar stories of friends who still hate beets, lima beans, etc because they were traumatized too, lol. Anyhoo, my kid is more cooperative with me and after a few weeks of giving her a bit of spinach or broccoli with her meals she now is a certified greens eater
. I'm ok with it for now, and we are working on a bit of corn and I couldn't be more thrilled.
Tl;dr version: Relax and let them lead when it comes to food. Limit the snacking in between meals. When they sense that, they will be more cooperative to trying new things. Remember it might take many trials before they might end up liking something so don't be discouraged. Also, a good multi-vitamin helps. Good luck!3 -
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cattle prod or a taser works, too2
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I get my lackadaisical parenting led to this. I have quit giving her so much junk food. If you have children yours may be better about it but my daughter will actually choose just not to eat rather than eat veggies other than the ones listed. For those who gave advice instead of criticizing my parenting thank you. I do not expect to be coddled but it seems like no matter how valid the question is someone always has something snarky to say. I am not just talking about stuff I post either. I see it in ALOT of the threads I read on here. How is it worth your time or mine. No this isn't the worst I have experienced but it is the straw that broke the camels back and am unsure if I will ask questions on the board anymore. Comment and read yes but post myself I am done.kommodevaran wrote: »
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kommodevaran wrote: »
My son would rather starve than eat certain foods. They seem to trigger his gag reflex.
(That said, it's most animal protein I can't get him to eat, along with leafy green & cruciferous veg. He loves most other veg as long as they are raw or cooked into things. Starting to wonder if his tastebuds are oversensitive.)0 -
I get my lackadaisical parenting led to this. I have quit giving her so much junk food. If you have children yours may be better about it but my daughter will actually choose just not to eat rather than eat veggies other than the ones listed. For those who gave advice instead of criticizing my parenting thank you. I do not expect to be coddled but it seems like no matter how valid the question is someone always has something snarky to say. I am not just talking about stuff I post either. I see it in ALOT of the threads I read on here. How is it worth your time or mine. No this isn't the worst I have experienced but it is the straw that broke the camels back and am unsure if I will ask questions on the board anymore. Comment and read yes but post myself I am done.kommodevaran wrote: »
Hey, parenting is hard enough so don't beat yourself up about it. So what if she eats "junk" food, has her doctor told you it's an issue (not sure what you mean by junk)? It's not too late to expand her horizons.
Everyone has different deliveries of advice on here so don't take it too personal. Take what is useful to you and leave the rest.0 -
Alluminati wrote: »My kid has the big 3 allergies and is very fussy. She can live on pizza, spaghetti, and chicken nuggets if I let her. I used to cajole, bribe, have cryfests to get her to eat veggies because I thought she would drop dead, lol. After being on MFP for awhile I learned about macros and micros and in trying to balance my own diet out, I realized that I could do the same for my family, especially my picky daughter. I learned that it was ok that she didn't have to eatallthevegetables!!! and was I thrilled that pizza had a pretty decent macro profile. The more I read the more relaxed I became about her food and just let her.....be.
She can have her pizza, spaghetti, and nuggets, I just make sure to throw in some spinach or broccoli and some yogurt or applesauce so she gets a variety of vitamins. Hiding veggies in other things never seemed to work for her, as she could immediately taste a change in the food then that was it. She wouldn't trust me for a while after that.
I remembered growing up and my parents forcing peas on me (peas still bug me) and similar stories of friends who still hate beets, lima beans, etc because they were traumatized too, lol. Anyhoo, my kid is more cooperative with me and after a few weeks of giving her a bit of spinach or broccoli with her meals she now is a certified greens eater. I'm ok with it for now, and we are working on a bit of corn and I couldn't be more thrilled.
Tl;dr version: Relax and let them lead when it comes to food. Limit the snacking in between meals. When they sense that, they will be more cooperative to trying new things. Remember it might take many trials before they might end up liking something so don't be discouraged. Also, a good multi-vitamin helps. Good luck!
^^^^^This^^^^
I never liked veggies as a kid either. I was strictly meat and potatoes growing up. It was actually because my mother always cooked canned veggies to mush, so it was as much a texture thing as it was they were pretty nasty tasting or completely bland. And yes, peas were the worst for me too. Over the years, I've gotten better about eating veggies, especially fresh vegetables.
Maybe try different ways of preparing them. Instead of raw, try steamed. Hiding them in other foods works too. Also, I just recently tried zoodles instead of pasta with my spaghetti sauce and loved it. So maybe something inventive like that will help.
I had a relative whose kid wouldn't eat anything but french fries/tater tots and peanut butter for about a year. The kid grew up fine. It was a phase.2 -
Stuff her with alot of salad and carrots? LOL Try to introduce one or 2 things a week when she is in a receptive mood.0
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Never made a big deal about veggies. We have always eaten a ton...and many different veggies. Some they love and some they don't (3 kids). Now, I do find many people emphasize the meat and its importance...and therefore kids become conditioned to veggies being an afterthought. We've never done that....and because we cook vegetarian meals a lot it helps.0
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Ugh. I feel your pain. DD is sooooo picky and will starve rather than eat something she doesn't like. If I force it, she gags and almost throws up. She's a tween so we've been dealing w/ it for a while. She doesn't even like spaghetti or pizza sauces. So, for us we try and do the "1 bite" rule or stick with what we know she likes: carrots, broccoli (esp if we serve orange chicken she'll spoon some of the sauce over the broccoli - same w/ teriyaki), and putting large handfuls of spinach in smoothies. Oh, and cucumbers. And then I can also make stuff w/ pumpkin puree that she'll eat. And crash hot sweet potatoes she loves if I tone down the spices a bit and we leave out the sugar.
Basically, trial and error. Try spinach in a smoothie (but don't let them see you make it at first).0 -
Sneak them in via a blender if your worried. Homemade pizza or pasta and make the sauce with tomatoes and peppers.
Unfortunately you have let the kids get to the stage where they believe they have a choice. It'll take time to get the power back if ever but taste buds develop over the years and they'll probably grow up to love different foods throughout their teens.0 -
kommodevaran wrote: »
Yeah I burst out laughing at this comment. I think it's funny that people still think like this. Along with the whole "If she's hungry, she'll eat it". Pretty sure my kid would have you in tears after 10 minutes, along with pulling out your hair.
OP, what worked for me with my ASD daughter (who is a highly picky eater) is food challenges. Though it took us years of trying to get as far as we have. Currently she will only eat potatoes and carrots consistently. She'll eat peas if they're in something, same with corn. But only if there isn't a lot in her portion. Some of it is tatse, but due to her ASD, a lot is texture and smell. She hates asparagus and broccoli and will hold her nose if I'm cooking it and won't try it at all.2 -
Try different ways of cooking them. Try different seasoning. Different dressings, my 6yo nephew doesn't like ranch but like thousand island.
Try different sources. I hate can but my brother likes it. I prefer fresh or frozen. Like pineapple from a can tastes like sadness. But fresh is like heaven and I don't stop eating until my mouth feels like I've eaten sandpaper and even then one more piece.
Sneak them in to foods they like. My older brother hates peppers and onions so when we have speghetti I finely chop it up and put it in the sauce.
If you have the space try growing some veggies.
Or just let the kid enjoy the one they like, only requesting that they at least try another when you make it.
My friends kid loves having a garden and will eat from it all day. those were the only snacks he was really allowed.
My nephew went to a vegan daycare so he didn't have much of a choice. While going through my green house he helps himself to romaine and spinach. He can't wait for tomatoes. And is eagerly waiting for the Asian pears and green apples to rippen.
I used to babysit a young girl who who loved fruits and veggies. But fruits and veggies were pretty much the only stuff she was allowed.
Don't give a choice. Outside of gag reflex and allergies it won't hurt a kid one bit. Growing up if I didn't like the veggies my mom made I was allowed to have it raw. That was the only choice I was given other than potatoes, gag reflex. Only threw up on my mom once for her to learn that.1 -
A lady I used to work with put parmesan on her kids' veggies. Now they're grown and they put it on everything. It's like blow to them.2
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My boys are teens now. There are quite a few 'issues' I wish I had let go when they were little. Sigh...
I suggest a daily multi-vitamin and serving her what the rest of the family is having. If she doesn't eat the veggies, try to let it go. Try not to say anything. Easier said than done, I know, but I don't think it's worth the battle.
There is no (decent and loving) way to make a child eat something. But there are a thousand ways for a child to refuse, and most of those ways will make for miserable mealtimes.1 -
My boys are teens now. There are quite a few 'issues' I wish I had let go when they were little. Sigh...
I suggest a daily multi-vitamin and serving her what the rest of the family is having. If she doesn't eat the veggies, try to let it go. Try not to say anything. Easier said than done, I know, but I don't think it's worth the battle.
There is no (decent and loving) way to make a child eat something. But there are a thousand ways for a child to refuse, and most of those ways will make for miserable mealtimes.
^^^^^^^^^
This! Relax. Offer whatever you are eating. Make happy noises when you eat it (say something like, Oh, this is so good.) Sooner or later she'll decide to try it. Ad if her first reaction isnt positive, dont push it.
All forcing kids to eat things will accomplish is, a lifetime of issues with food.
BTW, I had the pickiest eater ever. At one point he ate only chicken nuggets and cheerios. Seriously. Te Dr just laughed, said give him a vitamin. He'll grow out of it. He did. He is now 16 and I can't keep him full. He eats nonstop. Still not a veggie fan and still slightly picky but way better than he was. Just dont stress. It will get better!0 -
I told my littles ones they couldnt have the vegetable because it was too expensive and only for adults. It was a special treat just for me. The more I told them they couldnt eat it, the more they wanted to try it. Now they devour broccoli,cabbage, and asparagus. Try covering it in shredded cheese. Anything tastes better with cheese.4
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I get my lackadaisical parenting led to this. I have quit giving her so much junk food. If you have children yours may be better about it but my daughter will actually choose just not to eat rather than eat veggies other than the ones listed. For those who gave advice instead of criticizing my parenting thank you. I do not expect to be coddled but it seems like no matter how valid the question is someone always has something snarky to say. I am not just talking about stuff I post either. I see it in ALOT of the threads I read on here. How is it worth your time or mine. No this isn't the worst I have experienced but it is the straw that broke the camels back and am unsure if I will ask questions on the board anymore. Comment and read yes but post myself I am done.kommodevaran wrote: »
My son is exactly the same. He used to try anything but now at almost 5, vegetables are a mortal enemy.
I tend to put a lot of different vegetables in sauces that I make and incorporate spinach into smoothies. I also still put vegetables on his plate, if he tries it and doesn't like it then that's fine he can leave it. But he has to give everything a go. We also get him to name everything on his plate which he loves to do and then try each thing after naming it.
Good luck with everything!
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Seriously. Take it easy on yourself. Keep the corn, carrots, and basic salad available. Also fruits.0
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arjeffries136 wrote: »I told my littles ones they couldnt have the vegetable because it was too expensive and only for adults. It was a special treat just for me. The more I told them they couldnt eat it, the more they wanted to try it. Now they devour broccoli,cabbage, and asparagus. Try covering it in shredded cheese. Anything tastes better with cheese.
You are one sneaky mom! I salute you.1 -
We did what I swore we'd never do... Bribe them with dessert (something small) if they eat their veggies.
Now they eat them (but we only give them a handful, but they're allowed to have more, of course).0 -
I'll add a few more ideas here. You can't force a child to eat it, but you can serve a tiny bit on their plate. Get them used to seeing it and smelling it. In many, many cases, I have seen curiosity take care of the rest without any mention being made of trying a new food.
You could also stress that they can try it without having to eat it all or even swallow it if it tastes that disagreeable. It's not so scary to try if mom says it's ok to quietly spit it into a napkin instead of forcing it down.
Lastly, how about letting her choose something you have never had either for the two of you to try together? Both of you being on equal footing might make her more willing to expand her horizons.0 -
I put a little (cooked) garlic on most veggies. I didn't have to bribe them. There was no dessert just because I wasn't raised with a nightly dessert so that's still odd to me. Dessert was special occasion stuff.
My kids hated hot dogs, nuggets, Mac n cheese (still will only eat real mac n cheese made with actual cheese), burgers, fries, etc.
We were pretty broke when they were little since I couldn't work. Having 3 kids within 17 months time (1 then twins) made child care out of reach lol. No junk food or fast food cuz we couldn't afford it.
We had a garden each year that they helped with and had their own plants too. There were things they wouldn't eat but who cares. They ate well enough.0 -
Have you tried preparing them in different ways? I cook veg for one child and another loves her cauliflower/broccoli raw. Can your daughter help prepare the food or come shopping with you and let her pick a new veggie to try?
It's hard, dinner battles suck!0 -
The easiest way is to start them eating vegetables when they are infants. Veggies have always been served with every meal and they (Kids are 12 & 5) grew up eating a variety. My kids love salad and veggies. They will now even order broccoli instead of fries when we dine out.0
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