We think it’s safe to say that picky eating can be one of the most infuriating phases to deal with as a parent. On top of all of your everyday worries, you’re stressing over whether your mini is getting the proper nutrition and has a well rounded diet…no small potatoes (haha, get it?). Well, we’re here to help! We rounded up 7 of our favorite ways to make sure that our kiddos are eating their veggies.
Repeat Exposure
When people say consistency is key, they MEAN IT. That’s why repeat exposure is a major element in shaping our kid’s eating habits and food choices. If your mini doesn’t love broccoli right away, trying again (and again) is key. When introducing new ingredients to your little one, it can take up to 10 to 15 exposures before your kiddo accepts that new food. Even if a food doesn’t get tasted, it still counts as an exposure. So, if you start to give your LO a healthy snack like veggies and hummus every day, they might smell it or play with it the first few times they see it without even touching it. But, in time, they will eventually start to eat it…and even come to like it!
Try Smoothies
Smoothies are the perfect way to make sure your kiddo is eating a meal loaded with good fruits and veggies. Blending greens like spinach or kale into a fruit smoothie is an easy way to add a pop of green to your kiddo’s diet. Pro tip? Throw a leftover Babyblend into your smoothie to add an extra kick of flavor and nutrition.
Hide the Veggies
Sometimes, desperate times call for desperate measures. You can easily sneak veggies into your mini’s meals at home by mixing zoodles into your little’s spaghetti or adding veggies and greens into turkey meatballs. Or, let Little Spoon do it for you. The Plates menu puts a healthy twist on familiar favorites and adds a kick of secret nutrition with hidden veggies and superfoods in every bite. Your kiddo will never even know there are veggies in picky eater faves like Mac & Three Cheese with Invisible Butternut Squash and Carrots or Chicken Super Nuggets with Sweet Potato Carrot Poppers and Broccoli…Don’t worry, your secret is safe with us.
Set an Example
Imitation is a key component of early childhood development. Our kids really do learn so much from watching what we put into our bodies. So let’s just say that if you’re not eating fresh veggies daily, they most certainly will not either.
Get Your Kids Involved
We love getting our little ones involved in mealtime. Whether it’s going to the grocery store to help you find the ingredients for a healthy recipe or sitting in the kitchen to help stir or mix a side dish while you cook, letting your kiddo in on the process will get them more excited about the final result.
Plant a Garden
From a little window basil plant to a full backyard garden, this is a fantastic way to get your mini excited about fresh food. Planting and watering your garden with your kiddo allows them to become invested in fresh ingredients and is an awesome opportunity to teach them more about what goes onto our plates and why.
Add Side Sauces and Dips
Adding a dip next to fresh veggies or a sauce onto a veggie-packed meal will definitely help entice your kiddo to dig in. Little Spoon’s clean, healthy sauces will make eating veggies 10x tastier! From veggie-packed Ketchup and Honey Mustard to Soy Glaze, each sauce is picky-eater approved and free of refined sugar and other additives.
