Do you have a toddler that doesn’t eat veggies? First off, let me say that you are not alone. This is such a common complaint that I hear from parents all the time. It’s important to remember that kids have taste preferences too and they aren’t going to like every taste that we do. However, it’s ok to keep offering veggies in fun new ways to help them see how great veggies can be. If you’re tired of having your toddler turn up their nose at the delicious steamed broccoli you prepared for them, keep reading for some tips on how to get them to expand their preferences.
Make Veggies Fun
As an adult I love vegetables. I have to be honest though, I don’t think two year old me enjoyed veggies as much. By switching up how veggies are flavored and served, it can help peak your little ones interest. If you try sautéed asparagus spears and they aren’t a hit, next time try dicing them and adding them to an omelet. Steamed broccoli a no go? Try seasoning it differently and serving it with a yummy sauce next time.
Get creative with how you present veggies. Theo is adamantly opposed to eating cucumber spears. However, if I cut them into shapes using these shape cutters
Let Them Help Prepare the Veggies
Toddlers want to do everything that you get to do. Cooking might be a chore to you, but to your toddler it’s great fun! One of Theo’s favorite things to do is to help me in the kitchen. We have a learning tower that he stands in so that he can reach the counter and join in with the prep work. Let your little help measure out ingredients and add them to the bowl. Mixing and whisking is so much fun for toddlers, and they love seeing the change in texture as the ingredients in the bowl mix together. I’ve noticed that when I involve him more in the prep of his food, he is more likely to enjoy eating the food
Fair warning, letting your toddler help in the kitchen is pretty much guaranteed to make a big mess. Just breathe and enjoy the moment. You have the rest of your life to have a clean house but childhood goes so quickly.
Add Veggies in to Other Foods
I’m not a big fan of hiding veggies from your kids and being sneaky about it. However, I see nothing wrong with getting creative with how you incorporate veggies into their diet. I never hide what I am adding to a dish and as Theo gets older I will always be open with him if he asks. That being said, I think that sometimes the easiest way to get veggies in to a toddler’s diet is to add it to a food that they already like.
One of my tried and true meals with added veggies is oatmeal. My son loves oatmeal so I will add anywhere from ¼ to ¾ cups of grated zucchini or carrots to it and he will still devour it. I add the veggies in while the oats are cooking so that your veggies are soft and warm. This carrot cake oatmeal is a breakfast that we have often.
Another easy way to get in veggies is to make breakfast egg cups. These are great for busy mornings when you don’t have a lot of time to make breakfast, because they can be prepped ahead of time. You can add pretty much any veggie you want to these. There are so many variations for breakfast egg cups that you can find on Pinterest!
Have you guys tried adding veggies to your smoothies? If not, you need to because it’s so easy and can be virtually tasteless. If you’re new to veggies in your smoothies start small by adding a handful of spinach before blending. I promise you can barely taste the difference. I steam zucchini and cauliflower and then freeze it to add to our smoothies too. As long as you balance it out with a yummy banana and some sweet berries your kids won’t mind the added veggies at all.
What are some of your favorite tips for getting your kids to eat veggies?
