My Child Won't Eat Vegetables!
If you're like most parents, you worry
when your child won't eat vegetables.
Vegetables are important as a major source
of vitamins and minerals. But don't let
the nutritional benefits of vegetables
cause you to force them on your child.
What to do
Introduce vegetables like any other food
- Studies show that if you simply present
a new food (vegetables or other foods),
at the family meal in a matter of fact
way, and let children approach it and
decide on their own whether or not to
eat it, most of the time they do.
Be patient
- Children have their own way of going
about trying food and it can take many
tries (some studies say 15 to 20) before
they are ready to actually chew and swallow
the food. Then they like it; but they
still won't always eat it and that's okay.
Try the one-bite rule
- Encourage your child to have a bite
or a taste of a food so she can decide
if she wants to eat it.
- Allow them to take the food out of
their mouth with a napkin if they don't
like it.
- Some children will be okay with this
"one bite" idea and others will
fight you every step of the way. You know
your children best. If they are resistant
to the idea, don't force it.
What not to do
Bribery and pressure
- Studies show that pressure just doesn't
work. When you bribe or force children
to eat certain foods, they like those
foods less. Sure, he might eat his carrots
today if you bribe him with ice cream,
but he won't learn to like carrots in
the long run.
Adapted from "How To Get Your
Kid To Eat...But Not Too Much",
and
"Feeding With Love and Good Sense"
by Ellyn Satter RD
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