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Get Kids to Eat VegetablesFiled Under: Family Time, Healthy choices

Kids (and many adults) need to eat more vegetables. The problem is that most kids don’t like vegetables. You can try all the Popeye stories you want, and most of them will still refuse the spinach or broccoli.

To get kids to eat the healthy choices may take some “creative cooking” or even a few tricks, games or other ideas.

1. Hide the vegetables. When you make their favorite foods (lasagna or even spaghetti) mix in some vegetables that have been roasted and pureed in the food processor. They get all the vegetables and don’t even know they are getting them (and the vegetable puree also makes a great tasting dip).

2. Let them choose and grow their own vegetables. The fun and excitement of seeing them grow AND actually picking them from the garden might help them be more excited about cooking them. They will also find that fresh vegetables (particularly carrots) are much sweeter than those purchased in the store).

3. Create creatures and other designs from the vegetables. Celery sticks with peanut butter in the center then covered with raisins and finally pretzel sticks for legs are great ugly critters that can be fun to eat.

Sometimes the only thing you need to get kids to eat well is to be creative. Having fun with food will make it more interesting and more inviting to everyone.