5 Simple Ways to Get Your Child to Eat Vegetables

Young children tend to be picky eaters and getting them to willingly eat their veggies can be a very difficult task. While most adults understand the importance of consuming vegetables as part of a balanced and healthy diet, children do not. They are more concerned with eating what tastes good than what is good. In addition, children often perceive sweetness and bitterness differently. Children may even taste things that we adults are unable to, and vice versa. Children also tend to be extremely averse to bitterness, which can sometimes be tasted in vegetables.

The wealth of vitamins, minerals and fibre contained in veggies make vegetable an important part in anyone’s diets. This goes the same for your child. Introducing your child to vegetables is vital in their development and helps to build their relationship with food.

How to Encourage Your Child to Eat Vegetables!

1. Be patient when trying to convince your child to eat vegetables

Many parents resort to threatening their child or forcing them consume vegetables. Yes, the stubbornness that some children have when it comes to rejecting vegetables can make this task very daunting and frustrating, but placing pressure on your child may make things worse. It generally takes 15 to 20 repeated exposures before a child accepts a new food so you will have to be patient. Encouraging your child to touch or smell the new vegetable dish is already a positive, even if they do not consume it.

2. Eat vegetables together with your child

As a parent, you are your child’s role model. Eating vegetables together with your child can encourage them to give them a try. Even if your child dislikes a certain vegetable at first, watching you enjoy it may eventually pique their interest enough to give it a second chance.

3. Shop for vegetables with your child

Bring your child along when you go grocery shopping next time and let them pick their favourite vegetables as well as new vegetables they would like to try. Involving your child in the shopping process can not only make grocery shopping a fun family experience. By letting your child participate in shopping, it makes them more likely to try out the vegetables purchased.

4. Use seasonings or dips

Plain old veggies, while nutritious may get boring and children usually prefer food that are more flavourful. Using seasonings and dips for your vegetables may be effective in getting your child to enjoy vegetables. Simple dips such as peanut butter and hummus can make vegetables look and taste more appealing to your child. Seasonings such as oregano or chilli flakes can be added to make vegetables smell and taste more flavourful, and attractive to your child.

5. Try Goodness Gracious’ Vegetable Variants!

Our tasty, freeze-dried vegetables may just be the solution you are looking for! Yummy and crunchy, Gracious Goodness’ freeze-dried vegetable variants is a delicious and exciting alternative to your usual vegetable dishes! Young children love to munch on snacks and Gracious Goodness’ freeze-dried vegetables provide the same nutritional value as fresh fruits while providing a delightful crunch with every bite.

The word ‘snacks’ may worry parents as they are usually littered with added sugars, saturated and trans fats, sodium and preservatives. Fret not, Gracious Goodness does not contain any added sugar or preservatives and is never fried. Put a pack of Gracious Goodness in your child’s bag and let them snack healthily! For younger toddlers who may encounter difficulty munching on our freeze-dried vegetables, you may add a bit of water which will soften the vegetables, making them easier to chew on.

Our vegetable variants include:

Gracious Goodness Freeze Dried Okra

Gracious Goodness Freeze Dried Broccoli

Gracious Goodness Freeze Dried Corn

Introduce them to your child today!