How To Help Kids Eat More Veggies Part 2
This is probably the question I get asked most as a holistic pediatrician.
As a pediatrician and holistic wellness expert, I firmly believe that healthy children start with healthy adults in their lives. One of the most common questions I get at wellness visits (and other appointments) is “How do I get my kids to eat more veggies?”
Most parents do not need to be convinced that veggies are healthier for their children. They know this. What families need instead of scolding and finger wagging is guidance and empowerment.
Our previous blog focused on leading by example and taking small steps at a time. These are 3/5 steps parents can implement to help their children eat more veggies:
Make veggies the easy, convenient choice. Children are naturally attracted to bright colors, including foods. There is a reason why app developers use bright colored graphics for children’s games and cereal companies use colorful characters for the cereal boxes. Keep ready-to-eat veggies that have been washed and cut in a bowl on the counter and at eye-level in the refrigerator.
Food corporations pay for prime real estate that is at eye level of the average elementary school-age child at the grocery store. I see this all the time: I will be at the grocery store and see a five-year old reaching for the colorfully-wrapped candy that is right at their eye-level at the check out line. Rest assured that the candy company paid extra to have their product placed at that exact location and a marketing executive got paid a lot of money to come up with the wrapper specifically designed to attract the eye of the child.
You can follow a similar principle at home, but with veggies instead of candy. Place veggies at eye-level, in a convenient location, at convenient times, such as after school or while you are fixing dinner, and be sure they are ready to eat.
We do this at our clinic. When we put out fruits and veggies that are easy to grab, the kids will reach for them.
Get the children involved. When children are involved in decision-making, they are more likely to participate. Allow the children to pick a new vegetable each week to try at home. If possible, start an herb or veggie garden. Tomatoes are an easy plant that can go on the porch in planters that do not require a lot of space. Involve the children in watering and taking care of the plant or garden. Assign the children age-appropriate tasks in the kitchen to help with food preparation. And if they sample the veggies while preparing them, that’s a big bonus.
Have fun! Avoiding power struggles or pressuring the kids is so important. They will shut down and develop negative emotions about veggies if we do this.
Let them play with their veggies.
Allow them to dip their veggies in barbecue sauce or hummus.
Pair eating veggies with positive experiences like family dinners or picnics.
Food should be a positive experience.
At Culver Pediatrics Center, we help busy parents transform their children’s mind, body, spirit health by educating and empowering their families, communities, and schools in nutritional wellness. We firmly believe in a Veggies Over Pills approach when it comes to health because healthy children get their start with healthy adults in their lives.
Stay tuned for the rest of our recommendations!
We guide parents to transform their children’s mind, body, spirit health by educating and empowering families, communities and schools in holistic nutritional wellness because. We believe healthy children start with healthy adults in their lives. We take a Veggies Over Pills approach for our comprehensive pediatric services, combining science-based medicine with holistic principles. Schedule a consultation to start your children’s wellness journey with us.
Do you already have a great pediatrician for your children, but would like to transform your own mind, body, spirit health for the benefit of those you love most? Our Holistic Wellness Program For Women is right for you.
We aim to be the best pediatric practice in Marshall County, Lake Maxinkuckee area, and the state of Indiana. If your child is not yet part of the Culver Pediatrics Center family, sign up in the email opt-in below to learn more about our boutique pediatrician services.
