Comments on: How to Encourage Your Children to Enjoy Fruits & Vegetables

By: Ashley

Ashley — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:02:05 +0000

I hate to state the obvious but I think one of the biggest issues most kids have with veggies is the preparation. My husband hated most veggies until he tried mine because he grew up having every vegetable served to him steamed without fat and overcooked. It’s amazing what my kid will eat when I put some butter or olive oil on it. Also tryin new ways of cooking things. My husband and son hate steamed or sautéed asparagus but they go nuts for it when it’s grilled or broiled.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:52:17 +0000

This is such a great post — especially the part about not hiding vegetables like they tell you to do in so many TV commercials. This is why kids don’t want to eat them. Parents also don’t know how to cook them. Mush vegetables is enough to turn a die-hard veggie lover like me off of them.

By: Gleamer

Gleamer — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 01:03:54 +0000

I have a picky eater. When he was breastfed I ate super healthy. He was just not interested in eating and still generally isn’t. (I think that he is a super taster.) Which is the exact opposite of his older sister who will eat nearly anything. Now I just hide the vegetables in anything I can. I even put kale in his smoothies! I don’t care if he doesn’t touch a vegetable ever. There is a faint kale taste to his smoothie along with all the other crazy stuff I throw in there. I have never insisted that he eat anything. I put it on his plate and it’s his choice. I don’t say a word. Every once in a while he will eat something that we never thought he would! We don’t say anything then either.

By: jaime Chamberlain

jaime Chamberlain — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:52:01 +0000

Thanks for your really informative post. My little one has just started refusing all my delicious home-made meals (which I eat instead),

We’ve taken on board a few of your suggestions so fingers crossed!

By: Healthy School Lunch Ideas

Healthy School Lunch Ideas — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:35:15 +0000

[...] Teach Your Kids to Enjoy Fruits and Vegetables [...]

By: Jenny

Jenny — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:10:16 +0000

Diana -

Thanks so much for the kind words! It's crazy how kids can turn against veggies in an instant, you know? There's still loads of nutrients in butter, cheese and meat which most kids seem to enjoy.

Take Care -

Jenny

By: Diana

Diana — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:25:52 +0000

Jenny, what a great article. I’ve done many of things that you mention here, including growing my own veggies and having started them on veggies very early. However, my youngest son was an amazing eater until a month ago! Arghh… So completely frustrating. I continue to serve him as usual and am just hoping he phases out of this quickly!!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:12:46 +0000

Anna -

I'm inclined to agree with you. I don't really sweat it my little guy chooses not to eat his vegetables at the dinner table. I know that eventually he will, but what concerns me more is when he doesn't eat energy- and nutrient-dense foods including meat. I know then that he'll be hungry later - and, of course, he needs fat to properly absorb his nutrients.

- Jenny

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:07:55 +0000

Melinda -

That's interesting that some folks are linking his pickiness to your eating a variety of foods during pregnancy. The research I've looked at indicates the exact opposite is more likely. You're absolutely right, though. What matters, in the end, is that he's healthy and that you always give him the choice to eat the veggies - choice without pressure.

Take Care -

Jenny

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:03:05 +0000

Emily -

There's a lot of things I said I'd never do as a parent. Most of them, I haven't. But bribery has definitely found a (small) place in our home, much to my chagrin. We also discuss how foods build the body and that definitely helps.

- Jenny

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:00:24 +0000

Kelli -

I think that it's normal at that age - as frustrating as it is. LOTS of kids start refusing veggies at around that age. Just keep offering them, and don't offer too much processed stuff which I know you don't, and she'll come back to them eventually. If worse comes to worst, you could make them super kid-friendly - cut flowers out of radishes and funny shapes out of carrots, you know?

I need your address, btw, I have a jar of honey coming your direction!

Take Care -

Jenny

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:54:03 +0000

LN -

My mom, when she took my sister and I grocery shopping, allowed us one treat as well. I love your "catch." What a great way to get your kids excited about trying new things! DS picked out a huge bag of mulitcolored sweet peppers at the market yesterday, and we're going to ferment them this week. Hands-on food education at its best!

Take Care -

Jenny