Sounds familiar?

Many parents, especially mothers often struggle to get their kids to eat vegetables – carrots, cabbage, vegetable soup etc. Kids would literally pick out the vegetables or leaves from the meal and carefully abandon them on one side of the plate for you!

But before you give up on those vegetables try these 5 simple tricks:

1. LET YOUR CHILD HELP

Get your child involved while preparing the meal. Let them assist to wash the vegetables like carrots etc. I used to make my children count the green beans, carrot slices etc while arranging them in a bowl. Kids are often more excited to taste a meal they assisted in preparing!

2. START SMALL

Allow your child to explore new tastes gradually. Do not start by putting a mountain of vegetables on their plate. Rather serve one tiny bite at a time without pressure. One spoonful or bite is already a great effort that should be appreciated. Commend and encourage them for every little bite of a vegetable!

3. BE THE EXAMPLE

Live by example because children copy what they see not what they hear. As a parent eat your vegetables and let your child see you enjoying them. They will gradually copy you!

4. MAKE VEGETABLES FUN

Use different colours and shapes of vegetables while cooking. Let the children build their own colourful plate from the available varieties.

5. TRY VEGETABLES WHEN YOUR CHILD IS HUNGRY

In many cases a child may be more willing to try new foods like vegetables when he is hungry. Therefore, offering your child vegetables when he is already full from a meal may not yield the best results!

  

Remember: it can take time for children to accept new foods.

DON’T FORCE IT. KEEP OFFERING IT. KEEP ENCOURAGING THEM.

One day, you may be surprised that the vegetable they refused more than 10 times has become their favourite!

PARENTS, WHICH VEGETABLE DOES YOUR CHILD REFUSE TO EAT?