6 Ways to Get My Kids to Crave Fresh Fruits and Veggies

fruit and vegetables

It’s normal for kids to dislike the taste and texture of fruit and vegetables, and many parents seek ways to get their children to enjoy healthy food without having to force it. 

If your children struggle to eat enough fruit and vegetables, try one or more of the following tips to encourage them to make healthier food choices. 

#1- Positive Influence

Positive influences encourage children to model their behaviors after people they respect. If they see you eating fruit and vegetables, they’ll be more willing to follow your example. Also, if your child looks up to an athlete, you could mention that a healthy diet is necessary for that person’s success.

#2- Offer Healthy Snacks

Offer fruit and vegetables for an afternoon snack rather than letting your child have chips and cookies. Explain that the snack you have laid out is what they’re permitted to eat between lunch and dinner. They might complain at first, but they’ll partake if they’re hungry.

#3- Make Fruit and Vegetables Key Ingredients

When you prepare food for your family, try making dishes that incorporate fruit and vegetables as key ingredients. For example, casseroles and soups are perfect mediums for vegetable ingredients, whether they’re visible or not. You might try puréed vegetables in sauces, or finely chopped fruit in desserts.

#4- Try Food from Other Countries

Introducing dishes from other countries is not only a good way to teach your children about different cultures, but it’s also beneficial when it comes to the inclusion of healthy ingredients. There are plenty of tasty food options that are popular around the world, and something new might be what your child needs to start enjoying fruits and vegetables.

#5- Let the Kids Help Prepare

Letting your kids help out when it comes to picking and preparing simple food items might make them more inclined to eat what they’ve made. Have your child help with age-appropriate food preparation by having them choose, wash, cut, or even help cook ingredients you’ll include with dinner. 

#6- Enhance the Flavors

If your child finds the taste of fruit and vegetables to be somewhat bland, enhance their flavors by including spices or sauces that your child can add to the ingredients. Additionally, if you cook vegetables with dinner, adding herbs and spices can make an otherwise simple ingredient more palatable.

 

Try not to force the issue. While it can be irritating when children don’t want to eat the food you offer, things will likely change if you keep at it. It takes time for children to accept different tastes and after trying an item a few times, they may decide that it’s pretty good after all.

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