How can I get my child to eat vegetables?

To stay healthy, it is essential to eat fruits and vegetables every day. Therefore, it is very important for your little one to adopt these eating habits at an early age. Asking a child to eat their vegetables has always been a point of contention between parents and children. In order to make your life easier, we have put together a list of 5 tips to help boost your child’s relationship with vegetables:

1. Set the Example

You are your child’s very first role model, so there is nobody more ideal to show your child how good vegetables can be. Try to eat well in front of them from early on, even if your little one still enjoys mashed food, so they can get used to the smell and the look of a healthy plate.

2. Start Early

As soon as your child can eat solid food, introduce them to vegetables. The reason why a child usually refuses food is most commonly due to a fear of novelty. If they familiarized themselves at an early age with vegetables, you would have far less trouble making them finish their plate.

3. Play with Shapes and Colors

Children get tired of things very quickly and food is no exception. They are sick of seeing the same vegetable cut in the same way every day of every week for example. You can change that without having to change your menu. Start playing with shapes by setting their plate in the form of a smiley face for instance. You can also try to associate colors with a force: “Yellow foods helps your body heal cuts”, “Orange foods helps you see in the dark” or “White foods gives you energy”. Use your child’s imagination to your advantage and help them develop superpowers thanks to vegetables!

4. Prepare their Plate with Them

To make children want to eat a dish, there is no better way than to involve them in the preparation of the meal. Let them do easy and safe tasks such as mixing a food or placing the food on the plate. It will give them the opportunity to taste the food and to discover new flavours while also gaining independence. Furthermore, it the perfect occasion to share a great moment with your little one.

5. Be Patient

This applies to both with your child and with yourself. Do not yell at them when they are hesitant to eat what you prepared. Communicate with your child, try to understand what the origin of the problem is and guide them. You need to be supportive by recognizing an effort as tiny as it can. The goal is to create a stress-free environment because the more you get impatient, the more your child will feel pressured and the less likelihood of them eating the food in question.