10 Secrets To Creating Vegetable-loving Kids

Baltimore, MD - October 20, 2003 - Get a group of parents together and start talking about nutrition, inevitably the same question comes up over and over again, “How can I get my child to eat vegetables?” With over 93% of American children NOT eating their required 5 fruits and vegetables daily, it’s not surprising to hear their parents’ cries.

If you are begging and cajoling your little one to eat “more greens”, then read on because there is help. Recently, I found a treasure trove of a book called Smart Food, Smart Families by Clinical Nutritionist, Dr. Laura Thompson. This book contains dozens of kid-tested ways to help your child not only be willing to taste but actually love eating veggies!

Here’s the top 10 list that will hopefully open not only open your child’s mind but also his/her mouth!

10) Add pureed vegetables (like broccoli, zucchini, squash, corn and peas) in a burrito wrap (cheese and meat are optional).

9) Grate zucchini or squash then puree it in the blender and add to spaghetti sauce.

8) Find a local pick-your-own farm for a day adventure!

7) Eat organic! My kids can tell the difference! They say their veggies taste better and they are pesticide-free!

6) Create a dipping fiesta! Steam veggies until they are fairly soft (or better yet eat them raw) and try dipping them in different sauces like teriyaki, ranch, Bar B.Q., ketchup, bleu cheese, and Thai peanut sauce.

5) Give your veggie dish a funny creative name that will entice them to try it like “Princess Peas” or “Ninja Potatoes”.

4) Kids love to help! Have them prepare the vegetables for your meals like husking the corn, shelling the peas or washing and separating the broccoli florets.

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3) It’s a wrap! Lettuce wraps that is. Use bok choy, spinach, endives or lettuce and fill with tiny chopped veggies, spices, nuts, and fruits. Then top it with a Thai peanut sauce. Wrap it up and enjoy!

2) Muffins and coffee cake are great for slipping in finely grated or chopped veggies like zucchini, carrots, squash, and yams.

1) Let your kids grow their own garden. Even with no space you can have containers on a deck or porch. There is nothing like caring for a plant, watering it and seeing your reward sprout in front of your own eyes.