Do my kids love vegetables? I'm sure the word love would be stretch. Do they eat their vegetables? Yessiree!!
First of all, I don't think there is a secret - otherwise someone would be a multi-billionaire and it wouldn't be so hard. I think it takes work and consistency.
I think you need to be an example. I make myself a salad almost every day with tons of veggies. When I make a sandwich, I load on the veggies. I always offer it to them, even though they usually so no thanks. At least I offered.
They have their favorites and that is what I try to pick out. G. loves asparagus and broccoli and beets. M. loves cucumbers and carrots. I'm not sure I. really loves a vegetable, but she will eat peas, salad, and peppers.
Lastly, keep offering over and over. There are vegetables served at lunch and dinner. When they asked to be excused, I usually have to tell them to eat their vegetables first. I'm OK to tell them over and over. At least we are at the point where they don't cry at the table.
What's your magic key?
Tom and I are pretty passionate about living healthy lives and since that is such a huge part of our lives, these "habits" are going to pop up on this blog. Probably regularly.
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7 comments:
our garden is a big part of it. He can help, but he has to eat what he plants. Going to farmer's markets, where it's an event to get vegetables, has helped as well. I think most of all, modelling it, and the fact that it isn't an option. He has to take a bite of everything on the plate.
I agree...keep offering. I also ask my kids to try something before they decide they don't like it.
We sometimes make them "eat their age" in vegetables they don't like but are on the table for dinner. You are 4? You get four small broccoli pieces, or carrots, or green beans, etc. This will at least get them to try them. We also say "If you don't eat your veges, no dessert" if we happen to be having it that night. That's what works for us.
My kids eat whatever veggies we put in front of them and they love fruit. We're blessed to have healthy eaters who aren't picky! I agree, though, that example is important. Vegetables and fruit have always been a part of our diets. They see more fresh fruits, veggies, lean meats and pasta than they do pre-packaged anything. They don't know what they're "missing!"
I guess I was blessed...I grew up loving fruits and veggies, and so have our girls. I could not get them to eat much meat until grade school, but they would gooble up just about any veggie or fruit placed in front of them. They eat meat now, but still prefer their fruits and veggies!! We love having our garden as well.
not only gids need to eat vegatables....
I hide them! Pureed veggies in anything with a sauce. My kids ate anything we grew but we no longer live where we can have a garden. As a blended family I have a challenge getting the kids not raised on veggies to eat them. I serve lots so they have choices and hope that eventually they will like most of them.
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