We, as adults, know the benefits of eating vegetables. Vegetables are loaded with nutrients like vitamins and minerals, not to mention they also keep us hydrated and provide us with much needed fibre for a healthy gut and bowel movement.

We know all of this, and yet, it’s very difficult for parents of young kids to make them eat these greens easily and happily. Here are a few tips as to how we can encourage our young adults to gravitate towards healthy and mindful eating.

1. Start Young

As soon as your baby turns 8 months old, you can introduce vegetables in their diet. The best way is to boil and mash veggies like carrots, pumpkin, potato, even spinach, cauliflower and give them once a day. Slowly and surely the infant will start getting used to having at least one vegetable in their meal. You can also give them thoroughly washed and freshly cut veggies to chew on- like cucumber sticks, carrot sticks, tomatoes etc.

2. Be Consistent

Serve vegetables every night. Make it a norm, rather than a once-in-a-while affair. Eat and enjoy fruits and vegetables daily with your child. Serve it in their plate without mentioning anything or making a big issue out of it. Kids can eat a portion of sprouts every morning before they go off to school. They can also eat a salad 5 minutes before starting dinner or lunch. These mealtime rituals will make them get used to veggies.

4. Involve Your Child in the Kitchen

Get your child to help you with cooking or selecting the vegetables. When you go to the greengrocer’s, take your kid along with you. Let them select the tomatoes; show them the different coloured veggies and familiarise them with the different names of the vegetables. This will spark an interest in veggies in them. If your child is slightly older, he/she may help you in washing the vegetables, grating them, or maybe handing them to you will you puree or chop them. If they are involved in the preparation process, they will feel motivated to eat them.

5. Have Patience and Keep Trying

If your kid refuses to eat a vegetable, gently keep offering that same vegetable. There’s a fair chance they will eventually try it. Do not force your child to eat it at the first go. Be patient with them and slowly but patiently keep offering them veggies along with their regular meals. Also, be their role models and make sure you eat your fair share of veggies in front of them.
All these tips will surely make your child start eating those greens eventually. Just don’t disguise the vegetables and hide them into muffins or cakes. Give your kids vegetables in their original form. And slowly but surely, they will start eating and liking them too.