by M.A. Dal Cero

Created on: June 06, 2009

Children and vegetables seldom go hand-in-hand. As concerned parents, we want our children to be as healthy as possible, and we are aware of the fact that vegetables contain essential nutrients that are required for their overall health and well-being. However, many children simply do not like the taste and texture of a large variety of vegetables, and will refuse to eat them. Forcing a child to eat a food that does not please his or her palate is not the answer, and could result in a child developing a negative attitude toward food and eating in general. In the worst cases, this practice could lead to an eating disorder as the child matures. What, then, is the proper way to encourage your child to eat vegetables? Fortunately, there are many "tricks-of-the-parenting-trade" that can assist you in this sometimes difficult and challenging endeavor.

~ Presentation and preparation.

Many times, children dislike vegetables because of the way in which they are either prepared or presented. For example, if a vegetable has been cooked to the point of being mushy, then it can be less desirable to a child than one that is still cooked, yet maintains a bit of its natural crispness. Other children prefer raw vegetables over those that are cooked, and will happily eat them when they are served with a creamy and flavorful dip. Furthermore, when you offer your child a wide variety of vegetables served and prepared in interesting ways, you may be surprised to find that he or she will undoubtedly find at least one or two vegetables that are appealing.

~ Hide and disguise.

Vegetables are wonderful because they can be hidden in other foods, or blended or pureed to the point where they cannot be easily detected by a child. The pureed vegetables can be incorporated into some of your child's favorite foods, such as macaroni and cheese, pasta sauces, and soups. This practice can go a long way in making mealtimes far less stressful for both you and your child, and you will have the peace of mind of knowing that your child is receiving the essential vitamins and minerals that are so plentiful in vegetables.

~ "Just one bite".

Children are notorious for deciding that they do not like a vegetable simply based on appearance or smell, and tend to "hate" that vegetable despite the fact that they have never tasted it. Therefore, a good rule of thumb is to require that your child taste a particular vegetable before passing judgment on it. For instance, perhaps you have

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