Loading Kindness - Spinning Up Mommy Magic

While the Love Loads, Our Spinner Spins. Get Ready to Share, Support, and Bond with Like-minded Moms!

Popular Searches:
357
Q:

How do I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

Hey everyone! I'm a mom of a 2-year-old boy who is an extremely picky eater. I try my best to include vegetables in his meals, but he just refuses to eat them. I've tried everything from hiding them in his favorite dishes to offering him a variety of veggies, but nothing seems to work. I'm really concerned about his nutrition and want to find ways to get him to eat more vegetables. Any tips or suggestions on how I can get my toddler to eat more vegetables? Would love to hear from other parents who have been in a similar situation. Thanks in advance!

All Replies

plubowitz

Hi there! I completely understand your concern about your toddler's nutrition. I have a 3-year-old son who is also a picky eater, and getting him to eat vegetables has been a challenge. However, what worked for me was varying the preparation of the vegetables. My son would reject plain steamed vegetables, but he loves roasted or stir-fried veggies. The different textures and flavors make it more appealing to him.

Another trick I've found helpful is making the vegetables into fun shapes or mixing them into his favorite dishes. For example, I'll use spiralized zucchini instead of pasta or make broccoli "trees" to go along with his favorite chicken or fish.

Lastly, I found that persistence is key. While it can be frustrating, consistent exposure to vegetables will eventually normalize them in your child's mind. Keep offering, keep experimenting, and eventually, your toddler might surprise you and accept them! Good luck!

nlueilwitz

Hello! As the mother of a 5-year-old, I completely understand the struggle of getting a toddler to eat vegetables. One thing that has worked for me is being creative and sneaking veggies into the foods he already loves. I'll grate carrots into his spaghetti sauce or blend spinach into his fruit smoothies. He never notices the difference and is getting his daily vegetable intake without even realizing it.

Another tip I have found successful is making vegetable platters for snacks that are visually appealing. I'll cut up veggies into fun shapes, use colorful vegetables like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers and carrot sticks, and serve them with a kid-friendly dip like hummus or ranch. My son loves the idea of eating "rainbow-colored" snacks and even enjoys picking out the veggies himself.

Lastly, I've found that involving my son in the grocery shopping and preparation processes has really helped his picky eating habits. When he picks out a vegetable and sees how it's cooked, he's more likely to try it. It's also a great bonding experience that teaches him about healthy eating habits.

hermiston.ricky

Hello! As a mom of a now 4-year-old, I can definitely relate to your struggles with getting your toddler to eat more vegetables. One thing that has worked for me is getting my child involved in meal prep. I let her pick out the vegetables she wants to eat and have her help me wash and chop them up. This seems to give her a sense of ownership and excitement about what we're cooking.

Another tip I've found helpful is making vegetables a regular part of snacks. For example, I'll offer sliced cucumbers with hummus or carrot sticks with ranch as a mid-day snack. This gives her the opportunity to try different veggies and gets her used to their taste and texture.

Finally, I've found success in modeling good eating habits myself. When my daughter sees me enjoying vegetables, she's more likely to want to try them herself. It's definitely a process and there are still days when she refuses to eat any vegetables, but I've learned that consistency and patience are key. Good luck and don't give up!

layne34

Hello everyone! As a father of a 3-year-old girl, I know all too well how difficult it can be to get a toddler to eat vegetables. One strategy that has worked for us is making vegetables into fun shapes and characters. We'll use a cookie cutter to create vegetable shapes like stars, hearts or animals, and my daughter gets excited to eat the fun, colorful shapes.

Another tip that has worked for us is introducing new vegetables slowly and in small amounts. We'll add a few pieces of a new vegetable to a dish that she already likes, like peas or carrots, and gradually increase the amount over time. This helps her become accustomed to the taste and texture of new vegetables without feeling overwhelmed.

Lastly, I've found that it's important to be patient and not give up. Toddlers can be picky eaters, but they are also constantly changing and growing. One day they may turn up their nose at a vegetable, and the next day they'll love it. Keep offering vegetables in different ways and with different seasonings, and eventually, they may surprise you and start to enjoy them.

In conclusion, getting toddlers to eat vegetables can be a challenge, but it's important for their health and development. By being creative, introducing new foods slowly, and being patient, we can help our children learn to enjoy a variety of healthy foods.

carmela89

Hello everyone! As a mother of two (ages 4 and 6), I've faced the challenge of getting my kids to eat vegetables. One tip that has worked for me is to make vegetables a fun experience. I involve my kids in growing our vegetables in the garden or taking them to a local farmers' market to pick out produce. This helps to create positive associations with vegetables and encourages them to try new things.

Another strategy that has worked for me is not forcing my children to eat vegetables. Instead, I provide a variety of options during meal times and allow them to make their own choices. Eventually, they started to try more vegetables on their own and now they're open to trying new things.

Lastly, I've found that portion size is critical when it comes to getting children to eat vegetables. Rather than overwhelming them with a large serving that they might be resistant to, it's important to start small and gradually work our way up. This way, they get used to the taste and texture of the vegetable and might eventually learn to like it.

Overall, it's all about patience and persistence. Getting our children to eat vegetables might be challenging, but it's not impossible. By trying different strategies and being creative, we can help our kids develop a love for healthy foods that will serve them well in the future.

zbauch

Hey there! As a mother of a 7-year-old girl who used to be a picky eater, I know how tough it can be to get your toddler to eat vegetables. One strategy that worked for me was being persistent and consistent. It's important to keep offering vegetables to your child, even if they reject them at first. Over time, they will become more familiar with the taste and may start to accept them.

Another tip that has worked for me is to make vegetables the focus of the meal. I'll serve a colorful salad or roasted vegetables as the main component of the meal, and then have a smaller portion of protein or carbs on the side. This encourages my daughter to appreciate the taste and texture of the vegetables, and to see them as a delicious and satisfying part of the meal.

Lastly, I've found that it's important to be a good role model. When my daughter sees me eating and enjoying vegetables, she is more likely to want to try them herself. It's also important to create a positive environment around meal time - our family makes it a fun event and we sit down together to enjoy our meals. This helps my daughter feel more comfortable trying new things and appreciating healthy foods.

Remember, every child is different and what works for one child may not work for another. But with patience, persistence, and a little creativity, we can help our children develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime!

New to Kind Mommy Community?

Join the community