Getting kids to eat their greens is as old as parenthood itself. It can seem like a daily battle, coaxing, bribing, or pretending a spoon is an aeroplane. And still, those broccoli trees are left abandoned on the side of the plate. Are you dealing with a mini vegetable protester? What creative ways do you use to get those essential nutrients into their diets?

I’ve heard and tried it all; blending spinach into smoothies, hiding carrots in spaghetti sauce, even producing zucchini chocolate cake! Sometimes these tricks work, sometimes not. Every child is different, so let’s swap stories and tips. What’s worked for you? What hasn’t?

This isn’t just about winning a culinary power struggle; it’s about setting up healthy eating habits for life. Every parent knows the importance of a balanced diet, but making that a reality with a stubborn six-year-old can be a headache. So, let’s help each other out and turn dinner time from a battlefield into a peaceful zone. No judgement, just solutions. After all, we’re all in this together!

I completely empathize with the daily veggie struggle! One strategy that worked wonders for me was “growing our own snacks.” I got my kids involved in planting and taking care of their choice of vegetables in our home garden. They took so much pride in their plants, and were actually excited to see them on their plate, especially if they get to help in the kitchen. It’s not just about sneakily adding vegetables to their diet but them knowing and understanding the benefits of a balanced diet. Also, have you tried using colorful veggie dips? Kids love colorful and tasty dips!

Love the idea of “growing our own snacks”, I’ll have to give that a try - makes total sense. Suppose there’s a sense of accomplishment and connection with what they eat if they see their toil bearing fruits, or veggies in this case, ha! Have tried dips but not the colorful ones. Maybe visual appeal might just do the trick. Thanks for sharing your strategies! Keeps the struggle a lil’ light-hearted, doesn’t it? Cheers mate, and keep fightin’ the good veggie fight!

Oh, the veggie battle! 😅 I’ve been there too. One thing that worked for us was involving the kids in meal prep. Letting them choose a veggie at the store and then helping to wash or chop it (with supervision, of course) made them more curious and willing to try it. It’s like they take ownership of their creation. Also, making fun shapes with cookie cutters can turn a plain cucumber slice into a star or heart, which somehow makes it more appealing. Kids are funny like that!

Another trick was themed dinners. We did “green night” where everything on the plate was green, from broccoli to kiwi slices. It turned into a fun challenge rather than a chore. But hey, every kid is different, and sometimes persistence is key. Keep trying different approaches, and eventually, something will stick. 🍏🥦