12 Vegetables for Kids That Will Change Their Minds About Veggies

When you were a child, what did you love to eat? If you said pizza, ice cream, or candy, you’re not in the minority. Kids love eating foods that aren’t part of a balanced diet.

But getting a child to try healthy food choices shouldn’t be a chore. Now there are plenty of ways to include vegetables for kids’ meals.

Whether your child is a picky eater or likes to munch up everything like a human Garfield, we’ve got options to help you out.

Follow along as we discuss vegetable recipes for kids.

Twelve Tasty Vegetables for Kids

If you want to include more greens into your kids’ diet, you’re not alone. No longer is the staple for dinner centered around meat. People are switching over to vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, and they’re bringing their families with them.

Below you’ll find some yummy vegetables to use for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks.

1. Pumpkin

Linus wasn’t wrong in calling the pumpkin great. Pumpkins are rich in Vitamin A, B12, C, E, fiber, zinc, potassium, and antioxidants, according to Healthline.com.

So, of course, you’d want your kid to eat them.

Sure, pumpkin spice coffee is a hit with adults for your son or daughter; it’s not an option. But pumpkin pancakes are a delicious way to provide a healthy, but tasty meal to start the day.

If your kid doesn’t like pancakes, yes, it can happen, then try baking pumpkin muffins. They’re small enough to eat on the go.

Although if it’s the holiday season, you can’t go wrong with a pumpkin pie.

2. Broccoli

Broccoli offers vitamin C and K, folate, fiber, and potassium. Thus it’s an excellent veggie for kids or those who are kids-at-heart.

Broccoli tastes excellent in raw form or after it’s cooked. Tossing it into a salad or stir fry makes any meal better.

If you want to pack it as a snack, include a container of cheese or sauce for dipping.

Putting it into an alfredo or Asian dish is fine too. There are so many options for the use of broccoli that you’ll never tire of eating it.

But if you want to take a break, then treat the family to a night out at a vegan restaurant. By trying new foods, your kids learn vegetables taste good and are right for you.

3. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes have finally come into their own as a favorite vegetable. For years they were a staple in soul food dishes, but now they’re a mainstream delight.

Packed with vitamins B and C, calcium, fiber, and selenium, the sweet potato provides necessary nutrients with a unique flavor.

Sweet potatoes get baked as a whole, turned into french fries, or transformed into a mouth-watering pie.

But if you want to please your holiday guests, try making whipped sweet potatoes to serve with your dinner. It goes well with string bean casserole and stuffing.

4. Corn

Corn is a versatile food that comes in many forms. It’s known to preserve healthy skin, enhance energy, and give your body vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron.

Tossing a cup or two of corn into some chowder will warm your insides on a chilly day. Roasting a corn cob on the grill will add a tasty side to your hot dog, burger, or salmon.

Or you could fry up some sweet potato corn cakes for the kids. It’s an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, but the kids won’t notice. They’ll be too busy eating.

But corn is perfect for popping and serves as a healthy snack at school, home, or the movies.

5. Tomatoes

Tomatoes get eaten all over the world but are well-known in New Jersey. Tomatoes offer choline, fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. They go well in a variety of dishes.

Where would pasta be without the splendor of tomato sauce? Pepperoni pizza wouldn’t taste the same without the use of tomatoes.

But the wonder of tomatoes goes further than Italian food.

Tomatoes bring life to salads and ketchup. It’s also a great addition to Pico De Gallo, salsa, and tomato soup.

If you want a fruit disguised as a vegetable, then the tomato saves the day. If you’re going to get your kids to try a versatile “vegetable,” then give them something with tomatoes in it. Because they work well in many recipes, you can camouflage it for kids who might not take to it right away.

6. String Beans

You can add string beans or “green beans” to the list of veggies for kids. They provide vitamins C and K, fiber, and folate.

String beans are fun to prepare if you buy them fresh. Trim the rough ends and cut the pods if you prefer.

String beans shouldn’t get overcooked. They taste best when steamed or sauteed. Jazzing them up with lemon, salt, pepper, and garlic might entice your little ones to eat up.

However, string bean casserole could excite them too when served as a side dish.

7. Avocado

Avocados go well on burgers, tacos, burritos, and nachos. The abundance of potassium, vitamins B6, C, E, and K, and magnesium makes them nutritionally sound and perfect for balancing a diet.

Yes, we all know guacamole is amazing. But did you know avocados also make pesto, toast, and chocolate mousse?

That’s right! Avocados are right for morning, noon, and night.

Creamy pesto flavored pasta is delicious. Avocado toast fills you up without the use of dairy products. While avocado chocolate mousse melts in your mouth.

8. Cucumbers

Cucumbers provide antioxidants, increases hydration, helps weight loss, and promote healthy bones.

Not bad for another fruit disguised as a vegetable.

But all jokes aside, cucumbers give the body what it needs, so it’s an excellent idea to incorporate it into your meals.

Cucumbers give a garden salad both a soft, crunch it deserves. They also improve a veggie tray and taste great dipped in ranch dressing. It’s easy to eat finger food for younger children, so it makes a tasty snack.

Yet, cucumbers mixed with watermelon is refreshing during any season.

9. Mushrooms

Mushrooms could be a hit or miss with kids. But the fiber, protein, and vitamin B content make it worth a try.

Mushrooms offer a smoky and meaty flavor without the beef. Pizza and veggie burgers get better with the addition of mushrooms. But mushrooms can also go into a smoothie or chicken dish for a richer taste.

However, if your kid isn’t feeling well, try serving mushroom soup to soothe away the aches.

10. Spinach

Years ago, parents could tell their kids to eat spinach so they could grow up big and strong like Popeye. Unfortunately, the Popeye character isn’t relevant and might be confused with the fast-food chain.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t introduce it to your children.

Spinach is a leafy green vegetable filled with vitamins A, B2, C, K, folate, iron, and magnesium. In short, it’s a terrific food to eat regularly.

Depending on your child, they may not be open to eating sauteed spinach since it’s not the most attractive food. Yet they might try cheesy spinach bites, yummy spinach dip, or spinach and zucchini breakfast bars.

11. Butternut Squash

Butternut squash might not be as popular as other vegetables, but it’s still an essential food. It provides vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Plus, it’s linked to lowering cancer risks and preventing asthma, according to Medical News Today.

Butternut squash is tasty as a soup or a variety of pasta. Making butternut squash into a lasagna, macaroni n cheese, or ravioli might entice the kids’ tummies to try something different.

It also works well as a roasted side dish. Be open to trying new recipes out for butternut squash since it offers positive benefits to a healthy diet.

12. Carrots

Most of us imagine rabbits when we think of carrots. But carrots aren’t just for our furry family members. We should eat them too because of the beta carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, and potassium.

Carrots are ideal in a salad, steamed or roasted. They also add flavor to a pot roast or a vegetable tray.

However, carrots don’t have to be for lunch or dinner. They make decadent cakes or moist muffins for breakfast.

Whether your kids’ about to walk out the door or sit down for a family meal, carrots can have a place on their plate.

Serve Up Some Veggies

In today’s society, we know vegetables for kids are an essential part of their health. Luckily we have the internet to provide countless recipe ideas for turning a once bland food into tasty treats. So don’t be afraid to think outside the box and turn those vegetables into a savory snack.

For more food-centric tips, please visit our website.