How to get your kids to eat healthy foods (i.e. their veggies)…
Here are a few ideas of what moms have done to get their children to eat healthy foods, veggies, and so forth. Not many kids jump at the chance to eat their broccoli or sweet potatoes but here are some ideas for you to try. Some people may think this are a little harsh, but different things work for different children. My stubborn 5 year old is coming around finally after implementing several of these ideas. After we set these rules for our 8 year old a few years ago, he now eats most things like a champ!
- I’ve enjoyed using the cookbook “The Sneaky Chef” by Missie Chase Lapine (see BOOKS RECOMMENDED). She explains how you can make concentrated purees and sneak them into your kids favorite foods from mac and cheese to chocolate chip cookies. It’s great knowing my kids aren’t totally getting junk and are actually getting some nutrition amidst all the other ingredients.
- Our pediatrician told us not to give our kids anything to eat for at least two hours prior to dinner. This really brings them to the table hungry! Serve up their veggies first while you finish the rest of dinner. Or set out a veggie tray with raw veggies (give them 3-4 different ones) and a dip. When they’re hungry and they see this serving tray out that is usually only out at parties they think they’re getting something special!! This really works and they’re getting veggies in their most nutritious state!
- One way to try fixing broccoli and asparagus that’s really good is to sauté it in a little bit of olive oil. Salt and pepper it to taste but it’s really tasty this way, believe it or not! But be careful to not overcook. They should still be semi-cripy (al dente!)
- Make it a requirement than in order to leave the table that they must have eaten at least two bites of everything on their plate. In our house if they choose not to eat the two bites they get the whole serving for breakfast. If they don’t eat it at breakfast they get it for lunch. If they don’t eat it at lunch they won’t die! They’ll wait for a new nutritious meal at dinner. Then they’re ready to eat anything I give them! Once we do this routine (and stick to it!) they don’t forget for a looooong time and are more willng to eat their two bites at dinner (which our pediatrician says is enough to get the nutrition needed).
- Have at least one dish for dinner that they do like. That way they’ll eat something. In our house they get a small serving of this dish until they’ve eaten their whole serving of vegetables, then they can have all they want of their favorites!
- Serve dinner in bowls and dishes on the table, the old fashioned way, and let them serve the amount they want on their plate. Tell them they have to eat whatever they put on their plate and stick to it! Sometimes they’re more willing to eat what they serve themselves as opposed to what’s being forced on them by a parent.
- Another idea is to make it a requirement that they must eat all their veggies or they do not get a “treat” after dinner. Be firm and consistent on this one!
- Each person is supposed to drink at least half their body weight in ounces of water per day. That sounds like a lot but most people walk around dehydrated to some extent, with ailments, and don’t even know that it’s related to lack of water. In the morning each day fill up a water bottle with the amount of water they need to drink each day and tell them they have to drink it all by a certain time of day to get a “treat” or whatever you deem reasonable for accomplishing this. We tell our kids they have to drink all of their water by the end of dinner if they want anything special to eat afterwards. If they’re wanting a special snack that isn’t particularly nutritious we have them drink all of their water before they have this snack.
If you have some additional ideas that have worked for you, please post them!
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