I've always admired how well my brother's children eat their vegetables. Actually, they don't just eat them, they enjoy them (much to the credit of their mother)! From the time Master W started solids, I have made it my goal for him to enjoy vegetables too.
Like most toddlers though, he does have his fussy days and this has been a frequent topic at our mothers' group recently - how do you get your little one to eat at least some vegetables?
When Master W is being particularly fussy, I hide the vegetables in recipes such as my Fruit & Oat Snack Bars (in particular the variation with carrot and zucchini) or my Cheesy Vegeful Muffins. But I also think it is important to teach him to enjoy the taste of plain vegetables without hiding them, otherwise good eating habits will never last.
When he's not so fussy, I often give him a grazing plate for lunch with some raw vegetables for lunch (he's particularly fond of red capsicum, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, green beans and avocado). He also enjoys a tub of frozen peas for a snack! Other favourites include corn on the cob and steamed asparagus.
As with most things, I also find the example set by significant others to be important. Master W wouldn't eat broccoli until Poppy showed him how yummy it is! And on desperate days, I resort to feeding him his vegies bird-style - i.e. I'll hold a bean or carrot stick by one end in my mouth and he'll come and take it from me with his mouth and eat it! It sounds a bit weird, but hey, if it works, why not?!
These are some of the things that work for us. How do you get your little ones to eat their vegies?
