Nothing quite compares to a parent’s battle at the dinner table. On one side, you’ve got a parent desperate to get their kids to eat green vegetables. On the other side, there’s a kid armed with all the stubborn willpower of two large armies.
So how do you win the battle of the green veggies? Keep reading to find out!
Give Them Choices
Kids love to feel like they have control over their lives, no matter what age they are. You can help facilitate this feeling at the dinner table by giving them options.
Instead of only offering them broccoli with their meal, considering adding a second choice to the line-up. A juicy, sweet green pepper may be more their speed that day.
All green veggies have a health benefit, you can learn here what they are. Giving your kids choices could make them more inclined to try something new!
Get Sneaky About It
If your kids still won’t eat green vegetables, it’s time to get sneaky about it. There are tons of recipe websites and cookbooks devoted to finding sneaky ways to get your kids to eat their greens.
From making “pasta” noodles from butternut squash to adding broccoli to their mac and cheese, there is no shortage of ways that you can sneak some of the healthiest greens into their diets.
This can be a healthy change for the whole family. Start making healthy swaps with green veggies and your kids (and your husband) may not even notice.
Introduce Greens at an Early Age
All kids can be picky eaters. But the best way to make sure that your kids are open to trying new things is to introduce them early and often. Kids need to try something ten times in order to decide if they really like it or not.
As soon as they can handle solid foods, give them baby-safe green veggies to munch on instead of teething biscuits. There are even mesh bags that you can fill with sweeter greens to give to your baby and let them soothe their gums.
Limit Sweets
It’s a fact of life: sugary sweets taste better than veggies. Sugar lights up receptors in our brain that produce pleasure and, over time, we all develop a sweet tooth. Children especially need to have their sugar intake monitored.
Instead of sweet foods, reach for more greens. Peas, zucchini, green bell peppers, collard greens, kale, and spinach are all packed full of vitamins and minerals to help promote brain development and health!
Green Vegetables for the Win!
You don’t have to go into the dinner-time battle unprepared! With these tools and tips, you’ll be able to win the battle of the green vegetables with minimal casualties and even fewer temper tantrums. All it takes is a little finesse and a few creative recipes for you to have your kids enjoying their greens in no time.
For more dinner time hacks, keep reading!
