When they ditch the veggies
Being ‘picky’ about the food a child eats is a common phase they will go through.
It actually is a normal part of development.
As a child asserts their independence they will often decide not to eat some foods offered to them.
It is no surprise that often one of the first food groups that a child will ‘ditch’ is the vegetables.
A child no longer eating veggies doesn’t mean that they won’t ever eat vegetables again.
There are many factors that can be attributed to the seemingly sudden change of heart and not an immediate cause of being disheartened.
What to do if a child refuses or ditches vegetables
Ditching vegetables is quite common for kids at some stage.
Some parents are lucky enough to have children who will eat whatever is put on their plate without an issue but some parents have kids who just refuse to eat vegetables. This may be after a time of eating them or it may be a flat out refusal from the get go.
It is a common a worry when a child doesn’t eat their veggies.
Reflecting on the circumstances prior to the change and asking yourself questions to establish why can provide not only the answer but provide the opportunity to formulate a plan as a course of action moving forward.
It is also important to take into consideration the child’s age and stage of development.
Are they exerting their independence in choosing not to eat everything placed in front of them?
Asking questions may help to establish the root cause
Questions such as:
- Are they getting enough nutritional needs?
- How do I reintroduce the refused food?
- Why did they suddenly stop eating that food?
- Is this a new vegetable being introduced?
- How was the vegetable presented? Was it in a different way?
- Was it in a dish that would influence the child to eat it or not?
If they eat fruit then it is not as big a ‘worry’ as many of the nutrients are found in fruit too.
Strategies to incorporate vegetables in a child’s diet
- Offering them in varying ways may spark their interest again.
- Simply hiding them may also be the key so that it isn’t an issue but you are comforted knowing they have had some.
- Do some cooking with the kids with vegetables as a primary ingredient.
- Be creative in your cooking. For example they may refuse to eat carrots but you can make a healthy carrot cake. Or make fun shaped vegetables and provide a ‘pool’ (a dip like hummus) for them to dip it into.
- Forcing them to eat them will not help.
- Present them in fun ways.
- Make up silly names such as little trees (for broccoli), dinosaur food, and so on.
- Disguise them in juices, dips, stews or even just grated into their favourite meal so they become invisible.
- Even if they don’t eat their veggies continue to serve them with their meals or as snacks.
- Enforce a one bite rule. This is that they must at least try it before they rule it out.
- Acknowledge and reward their efforts.
- Limit ‘junk’ foods. Try to provide most of the food as healthy snack or meals.
- Role model.
- Alter your attitude. If you are stressed they will pick up on it. Don’t be so bothered by it and you may find that then they may start trying veggies again. Sometimes it can be a power thing.
- Provide a good multi-vitamin to supplement their nutrients.
- Keep at it. As hard, and frustrating it may be, it’s important to keep trying.
