How to Get Toddler to Eat Veggies: Tips and Strategies for Healthy Eating

Introduction

Getting a toddler to eat their vegetables can often feel like an uphill battle for parents. It’s no secret that most children are picky eaters, and introducing new foods – especially vegetables – can be a daunting task. Luckily, there are several strategies that parents can use to make the process of learning to eat vegetables easier and more enjoyable for both parent and child. This article will provide tips and strategies for helping toddlers learn to enjoy eating vegetables.

Make Vegetables Fun

One of the best ways to get a toddler to eat vegetables is to make them fun. One strategy is to cut vegetables into fun shapes with cookie cutters. A study published in the journal Appetite found that children were more likely to try a food when it was presented in a fun or unusual shape. Another way to make vegetables more appealing is to serve them with dips or sauces, as this will make them more palatable for toddlers.

Get Toddler Involved

Another great way to help toddlers learn to enjoy eating vegetables is to get them involved in the process. Letting the toddler help pick out vegetables at the store or allowing them to help prepare the vegetables can make them feel more invested in the process and more likely to try the food. As pediatric dietitian Sarah Remmer explains, “Kids are more likely to eat something they’ve had a hand in choosing or preparing.”

Lead by Example

Parents can also set a good example by modeling healthy eating habits and showing how much they enjoy eating vegetables. Studies have shown that children are more likely to eat healthy foods if their parents do. As Dr. Jennifer Shu, co-author of Heading Home with Your Newborn, explains, “Children tend to eat what their parents eat, so if you make sure to include plenty of fruits and veggies in your own meals, your child will be more likely to do the same.”

Offer Variety

It’s also important to offer a variety of vegetables in order to ensure that the toddler gets exposed to different flavors, colors, and textures. Trying different types of vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, squash, or Brussels sprouts, can help broaden the toddler’s palate. Providing a variety of colors and textures can also help make vegetables more appealing for toddlers.

Add Veggies to Favorite Dishes

For some toddlers, the easiest way to get them to eat vegetables is to incorporate them into dishes they already like. Adding diced carrots to macaroni and cheese, for example, can help make the dish more nutritious while still being familiar and comforting to the toddler. This can help make the transition to eating vegetables easier and less intimidating.

Be Patient

Finally, it’s important to remember to be patient and not give up if the toddler doesn’t take to the new food right away. It may take multiple exposures to a food before a toddler becomes comfortable enough to try it, so keep offering it and eventually they may come around.

Conclusion

Getting a toddler to eat vegetables can be challenging, but with patience and creativity it is possible. Making vegetables fun, getting the toddler involved, leading by example, offering variety, and adding veggies to favorite dishes are all strategies that can help make the process of learning to eat vegetables easier and more enjoyable for both parent and child. With these tips and strategies, parents can help their toddlers develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.