Encourage Kids to Become Good Veggie Eaters
We have lots of great fresh vegetables available, but my kids usually avoid them. Do you have any tips?
We have some strategies to help kids become good vegetable eaters, but be patient. Getting kids to try new foods, especially vegetables, may take 10 or more tries.
- Have your kids help you harvest the vegetables, or shop at a farmers market or grocery store.
- At home, invite them to help you prepare the food. Let them help create and name the recipe, such as “Sally’s Super Salad.”
- Offer the food in different forms, such as raw and cooked, and cut into interesting shapes.
- Try serving raw veggies with a dip such as salsa or hummus (chickpea dip).
- Be sure to eat together with most members of the family present as often as you can. Make mealtimes fun. Family mealtimes encourage good nutrition.
- Be sure your children see you eating (and enjoying) vegetables.
Julie Garden-Robinson, Food and Nutrition Specialist, NDSU Extension Service
