How To Get Kids To Eat Teeth-Boosting Greens

It can be a constant struggle to get kids to eat their veggies especially if they’re green! What’s a parent to do? Here are some sly ways to encourage healthier eating in kids just in time for St. Patrick’s Day!

1. Dips: Maybe they won’t touch a stalk of broccoli with a 10-foot pole but what if that broccoli is dipped in a delicious dressing? Try offering veggies with dips like hummus, salsa, or salad dressing.
2. Mix in other flavors: Serving veggies cooked with ingredients like butter, garlic, bacon or cheese might make them more palatable for kids. It will also help make new foods more familiar.
3. Snacks: When your kids are hungry at snack time, offer up veggies first. Sometimes, if they’re hungry enough they will eat whatever you offer.
4. Hide them: There’s no shame in sneaking veggies into other foods. Try serving veggie burgers or making veggie quesadillas. Pureed veggies like butternut squash are also easy to hide in pasta or pizza sauce.
5. Make them available: Make it just as easy to grab veggies as it is to grab a bag of potato chips or cookies. Pre-bag cut veggies for when you’re on the go.

Remember, it may take a while for kids to get used to eating vegetables. Have patience and make sure they try at least one bite.

Source:

• http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/06/02/kids.eat.vegetables.ep/