Improving the chances that a child will be as likely to eat vegetables as other foods involves - first and foremost - making vegetables as much a part of the family's eating habits as other foods are right from the beginning. Vegetables shouldn't be talked about as if they're something nobody wants to eat but must. Parents should have a take-it-for-granted attitude when it comes to presenting vegetables as one of the choices of foods.

When young children are offered a little container of carrots for a snack they are as likely as not to eat them if they haven't become used to being handed another type of snack more often. When kids grow up just seeing vegetables as a part of their day and yet one more food choice they are likely to continue just taking it for granted that vegetables are as valid a choice as other foods. Creating the impression that eating vegetables is like taking medicine or over-emphasizing the nutrition of vegetables versus other foods may contribute to some kids' being "suspicious" of vegetables.

Most kids like to eat the same foods all the time, and most have at least a couple of vegetables they really like. If a child loves carrots and lima beans parents should capitalize on that and serve both regularly. That's two servings of vegetables that will easily be eaten. Most kids like a raw vegetable or two, and raw vegetables can be served with a meal or as snack. Carrot sticks are popular with kids. Older kids often like a dip with theirs. Many very little children like lettuce dipped in a dressing or mayonnaise. Some may prefer small pieces of lettuce cut up and served with cheese.

Homemade casseroles with lots of vegetables added and soups with plenty of vegetables provide another way to get a couple of servings of vegetables eaten.
Vegetables in a cheese sauce or glaze served with dinner may appeal to some children more than plain vegetables would. Knowing whether a child prefers raw vegetables over cooked ones, frozen vegetables over canned, vegetables plain over those in sauce, can help a parent find the vegetables each child is more likely to enjoy.

With little children, serving vegetables first and the rest of the meal later may result in their eating more vegetables than they would have had the chicken or mashed potato been served with them.

Adding extra vegetables to soups children may help get them to eat an extra couple of servings. Mixing vegetables in with pasta or rice usually means the vegetables will be eaten, particularly if the vegetables are small - like peas or diced carrots. Children will often drink tomato juice, and don't forget that a decent-quality tomato sauce is a vegetable serving too.

Learn more about this author, Lisa H. Warren.
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