Tips for getting Children to Eat Vegetables

Vegetables are extremely important to a growing toddler, but most toddlers are not interested in eating them. There are numerous methods that will get your toddler to eat their veggies and enjoy them, too.
Hide them in foods
Entire cookbooks have come out toting the benefits of hiding vegetables in ordinary food. One such cookbook is The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals by Missy Chase Lapine. From green chicken to veggie cookies, these meals have vegetables hidden in numerous foods. Many vegetables are very bland and will easily hide in one of these concoctions. Buy one of the books or try your own recipes.
Recipes
Of course you can also make delicious meals with the vegetables. If your toddler likes pizza, then try adding some vegetables as toppings. You can make a burrito with some stir fry vegetables in it.
You can also try to make vegetables sweet. One recipe involves taking a large stock pot of five pounds of stir fry vegetables and adding 2/3 cup of maple syrup, 2/3 cup of low sodium soy sauce, garlic to taste and a little oil and heating them on medium heat until the vegetables are thoroughly cooked and have absorbed the sauce. The vegetables will take on a sweet taste that is delicious. Because the sauce is spread so thin, it is very healthy.
Veggies and dip
Children enjoy dipping things. While your toddler may never eat a carrot stick on his or her own, perhaps he or she would eat it if you gave a fun dip with it. Experiment with different dips, especially healthy ones such as hummus. If you use unhealthy dips such as salad dressing, then make sure to do so sparingly. You can give a variety of vegetables with different types of dip.
Another idea is to turn it around and have the vegetables be the dip. Blend together vegetables such as broccoli and spinach. Serve it with delicious bread. You can also make it a sandwich.
Make it a meal
You can give your child four servings of vegetables in one meal. Heat up frozen mixed vegetables and broccoli. Add salsa and a little cheese. Serve with sour cream for a delicious meal. If your toddler prefers, you can add some Parmesan cheese or another type of cheese.
Model the behavior
Do not portray eating vegetables as a difficult or bad thing. Say that they are delicious. Show your child that you eat them, too.
It is important to start toddlers early on vegetables so that they will accept them as important. The above strategies will help you convince your little one to get these foods.