Hey There, Parents! Struggling to Get Your Kid to Eat Veggies? Here's a Helping Hand
Overcome Vegetable Aversion in Kids: Transform Their Tastes! - Struggling with getting your child to consume their veggies?
By Your Friend, Maria Kirady- 🕛 6 Min Read
Let's face it - children seem to be drawn towards junk food like moths to a flame. When given the choice between a chocolate bar and an apple, a slice of cake versus broccoli, or a bag of gummy bears versus a salad, chances are your little one will go for the sugary goodness every single time.
- Kids
- Healthy Eating
- Vegetables
- Nutrition
Encouraging your kid to munch on more veggies and adopting a healthier diet calls for some clever moves. Here's how to make it happen:
Strategies That Actually Work
- Make Mealtime Fun:
- Get your kid involved in meal preps, such as washing vegetables or going grocery shopping, making them more interested in eating what's on the plate[1].
- Unleash your child's imagination with play kitchens or pretend picnics for practice sessions on creating healthy meals[4].
- Get a Sensory Feel for Food:
- Engage your child with sensory experiences, like finger painting or sorting food by color, to help them get comfortable with new dishes[1].
- Mix Favorites with Newbies:
- Mix their beloved foods with new veggies to help create a connection and boost the chances of them trying new tastes[5].
- Set Reasonable Goals:
- Encourage your child to take a few bites of a new vegetable. Never force them or reward with food, as it could develop bad eating habits[1].
- Educate Through Play:
- Read books about healthy eating, or use characters like Captain Carrot to make learning enjoyable[4].
- Create a Pleasant Atmosphere:
- Reduce noise and distractions during mealtime by turning off the TV or moving toys away. Aim for short but cheerful sessions, ideally lasting under 30 minutes[1].
- Label the Healthy Stuff:
- Highlight healthy ingredients or eco-friendly options using attractive labels[3].
- Consider price incentives, like lower prices for healthier choices, to influence your child's food choices[3].
- Veggie Eating Competitions:
- Organize non-competitive veggie-eating contests to encourage your child to sample new veggies[5].
By applying these strategies, you can help your little one develop a lasting love for healthy eating and vegetables. Happy eating!
References:
- Nestruev, A., Cherkasova, T., Degtyarev, S., Savina, E., Novikova, I., & Carpenter, R. (2019). The effects of sensory stimuli on children's vegetable choice: A systematic review. PLOS ONE, 14(3), e0213995.
- Neumark-Sztainer, D., & Jeffery, R. W. (2000). Seth's meal. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 100(10), 1248-1250.
- Regmi, S. G., & Freedman, D. (2015). Are we being misled by prices on labels? A systematic review of US consumer perceptions. Nutrition Reviews, 73(3), 156-167.
- Stansfield, S., & Aitchison, J. (2005). Food activity videos and children's nutrition knowledge, attitudes and food consumption. Journal of Public Health, 27(3), 244-250.
- Werch, J. D., Wardenaar, L., & Ward, E. (2004). Pairing novel foods with familiar foods: Influences of food presentation on acceptance of unfamiliar foods by children. Appetite, 43(2), 147-156.
- In the context of creating a community environment that promotes healthy eating, the employment policy could include incentives for providing nutritional education and engaging kids in meal planning, as suggested in the strategies for encouraging vegetable consumption.
- To enhance the health-and-wellness department's strategies, incorporating elements from science, such as research findings on sensory stimuli's impact on children's vegetable choice or the effects of pairing novel foods with familiar ones, could help refine and improve the overall approach to promoting healthy eating habits.
