| I remember when I was a kid that I hated, and I mean | | | | two to four than at four to eight. It's a lot easier to |
| hated, green beans. My parents would make me sit | | | | teach them to like healthy foods when they are really |
| there for hours until I finished my serving, and they tried | | | | young than to wait until they are older. |
| lots of creative ideas like adding almonds, seasonings, | | | | 2. Your kids are watching you. If you don't like |
| honey, etc. The truth was, I just didn't like them, but I | | | | vegetables and never eat them, chances are your kids |
| had to eat them anyway. And now, as an adult, I | | | | won't like them either. Young kids want to emulate their |
| LOVE green beans and can't understand why I didn't | | | | parents, and these fresh foods are important for all of |
| used to think they were so great. I also now | | | | us, so set a good example by trying new foods |
| appreciate why my parents were so insistent that I | | | | yourself. |
| eat my veggies. | | | | 3. Don't give up. Multiple studies have shown that for |
| Why is childhood nutrition important? | | | | kids and adults alike, you may have to be introduced to |
| As a naturopathic doctor, I have many parents asking | | | | a new food 5, 10, 15 times before you like it. If the first |
| about nutrition information for their children to promote | | | | time you serve spinach it is rejected, then simply serve |
| holistic healing and overall wellness. Many kids don't like | | | | it again. And again. And again. Eventually your child will |
| to eat fruits and vegetables. And many adults don't | | | | be curious to try it, and may find they actually like it! |
| either. In many ways learning not only to tolerate but | | | | 4. Remember who is in charge. In the end, you are the |
| actually crave and enjoy fruits and vegetables is a | | | | parent and it is up to you to teach your children healthy |
| gradual, learned process. If you didn't learn to like them | | | | habits. Be firm with the "picky eaters" in your family. |
| early on, and if you are never challenged to try new | | | | They may not like every vegetable you serve them, |
| foods, you will never like vegetables. When taste buds | | | | and that's okay; but don't allow them to get away with |
| are used to pizza and chicken fingers, of course the | | | | never trying or eating anything new. |
| subtle flavors of carrots or broccoli aren't going to | | | | 5. Vegetables do not have to be bland! So often when |
| measure up. But with time and persistence, kids can | | | | I talk to people about not liking vegetables, I find out |
| not only learn to eat them, but actually enjoy them and | | | | that they are simply cooking them with no seasoning. |
| prefer them over the old foods! | | | | Presented in that fashion, the french fries and grilled |
| Guidelines and strategies to help kids eat their | | | | cheese on the plate will seem much more appealing. |
| vegetables | | | | Especially for new vegetable eaters, prepare your |
| 1. Start early. The best and easiest way to teach a kid | | | | meals full of flavor-all sorts of spices, culinary herbs, |
| to like their fruits and veggies is from a very early age. | | | | sauces, and recipes can take a boring chunk of |
| Offer toddlers lots of different types of foods, | | | | cauliflower and turn it into a fantastic side dish or even |
| especially colorful fruits and vegetables. Studies show | | | | entrée! |
| that new foods are often more likely accepted at age | | | | |