Ask the Doctor :: How to Get Your Child To Eat More Greens!

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Ask The Doctor : My child tends to only want to eat a few types of vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower. What are some supplements and/or recipes you would recommend to add more greens to their diet.

This can be a very frustrating experience; parents and care givers worry about what their kids eat and don’t eat; however, try to keep in mind a few things:

▪ Kids will not starve themselves

▪ Kids really do not need as much food as we think

▪ Meal time battle will end as kids get older

Surrender

Most kids eat when they are hungry so forcing them to eat usually back fires. Often parents resist giving snacks to kids but it can be a good thing; kids have smaller appetites and usually do much better when given 6 to 8 snacks or mini meals a day. The key is to give your child healthy snacks. For example:

Ants on a log ( celery, nut or seed butter and raisins)

Apple with nut or seed butter

Carrots and hummus

Trail mix

Fruit and/or veggie smoothie

Hard boil egg

Bean dip with veggies or corn chips

Half an avocado

Image courtesy of www.thislunchrox.com

Be Creative

Instead of a regular plate try an ice cube tray. Or have your child pick out a plate or bowl of their choice. Kids like being creative plus they enjoy color; therefore, food art ( shape food into a rainbow or cut it up into shapes) will intrigue and entice them to eat.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Whatever is on your plate, put on your child’s plate. When kids see you eating colorful whole foods at every meal, they will eventually try it.

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Be Proactive

Give them a few recipe books, with pictures, to browse through and place post its on pages that look good to them. The kids can then help make grocery lists, go to the store with you and even help prepare the meal. The more kids are involved, the more likely they are willing to eat something that they have helped create.

Make Healthy Eating a Priority

Engage in lively healthy conversations at the dinner table. For example: what do you think the foods we are eating are doing in our bodies? How do certain foods make us feel? Have your kids become aware of food and what it does in their their body.

Read: Green Eggs and Ham.

This book is a must in every house with small children. When there was some resistance in trying new foods, gently bring up this book. This book encourages kids to at least try new foods because well, they just might like it!