Healthy Kids
How to Get kids to eat their Fruits and Vegetables
Getting kids to eat fruits and vegetables can be a challenge, but there are a few strategies that can help:
Make it fun: Get creative with how you present fruits and vegetables to your kids. You can make fun shapes with cut-up fruits and vegetables or arrange them in a colorful, appealing way on a plate.
Get them involved: Kids are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they help to prepare them. Let your kids wash, chop, and assemble fruits and vegetables for snacks and meals.
Keep healthy snacks on hand: Make it easy for your kids to choose healthy snacks by keeping a variety of fruits and vegetables on hand. Cut up carrot sticks, celery, cucumbers, and bell peppers, and keep fresh fruit like apples, bananas, and berries easily accessible.
Sneak veggies into meals: Sneak vegetables into meals by adding them to sauces, soups, and stews. Grate zucchini or carrots into meatballs or burgers, or puree spinach or kale into smoothies.
Be a role model: Kids are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they see their parents and other family members eating them too. Make sure that you're setting a good example by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables yourself.
Offer a variety of options: Offer your kids a variety of fruits and vegetables to choose from. Encourage them to try new things, and don't give up if they don't like something the first time they try it. Research has shown that it can take up to 10 or more exposures to a new food before a child will start to enjoy it.
Remember, it's important to make eating fruits and vegetables a positive experience for your kids. Avoid forcing them to eat things they don't like or using food as a punishment or reward. Instead, focus on making healthy eating a fun and enjoyable part of your family's daily routine.