5 Ways To Make Vegetables Appealing To Kids – You Are Parent
Having the means to make vegetables attractive to children is always a blessing for any parent. As you know, vegetables are essential for its health and growth because they are rich in vitamins, fiber and minerals.
You should keep in mind that getting your child to eat vegetables depends entirely on your ability to cook them. To do this, you need to use your imagination to create fun and colorful presentations that will encourage the child to eat vegetables.
If the child is reluctant to eat, do not be afraid, because reconciliation is not impossible. You don’t have to force them too much and you have to arm yourself with patience so that, in time, he will have more appetite for vegetables.
To combat this rejection, there are five ways to make vegetables appealing to children. You will find that it is not as difficult to achieve as you might think.
5 ways to make vegetables appealing to kids
1. Mix green vegetables into smoothies
A good way to properly feed our children is to add some raw vegetables to smoothies.
Fresh spinach leaves or zucchini slices will go unnoticed in a banana-based milkshake with a little vegetable milk.
On the other hand, you can try making a beetroot milkshake with blueberries, a mixture of banana and orange juice. Carrots, cucumbers, and broccoli also go unnoticed if you mix them with sweet fruits like grapes, pears, berries, and pineapple juice.
2. Vegetable cakes
Believe it or not, a good way to make vegetables appealing to kids is to try including them in your sweet cakes.
They will increase the nutritional value of the dessert and, at the same time, add more color. In addition, they will offer a lighter and softer texture to the end result.
Chocolate and zucchini cake, carrot cake or beet muffins… are just some of the many possible combinations. Finally, grated vegetables in cakes are a very subtle but effective option. Their flavor will go completely unnoticed and give the preparations an unrivaled smooth and airy texture.
3. Serve au gratin vegetables
If smoothies and cakes don’t work well, try béchamel gratins covered with cheese. The idea is to combine your children’s favorite ingredients with the veggies they find so hard to eat.
For example, eggplants and tomatoes take on a different flavor to the gratin. Vegetable gratins can also be mixed with fish or minced meat to turn them into a complete dish.
4. Turn raw vegetables into sticks, skewers or sandwiches
Raw vegetables are generally not liked by children, but as a parent you shouldn’t give up.
You can chop and insert raw vegetables (carrots, zucchini, cauliflower, among others) on wooden picks. Because of this, they are made into skewers and can be dipped in sauces such as hummus, cream cheese or natural yogurt.
Present your skewers before each meal, as children are more hungry at this time. This makes it easier for them to try new foods.
5. Mash and soft textures: ideal for making vegetables appealing to children
Children generally enjoy soft textures, which allows many vegetables to go unnoticed and distract their attention.
You can have hot mash in winter and cold in summer. Also, suggest that your child use a straw or a spoon. You can also serve mashed potatoes on toast, covered with a cube of cheese or a slice of ham.
In general, children are more willing to try a new food when it is included in a combination. If your child likes pasta, rice or pizza, don’t hesitate to accompany them with vegetables.
And most importantly, don’t forget to cheat with the presentation. A good example is first the use of two black olives for the eyes. Then, a touch of ketchup for the nose and a slice of cheese for the mouth. This will make your child more interested in the dish.
There are many other ways to make vegetables appealing to children. The ideal is to try several to achieve what we want; that is, our children learn to eat healthy and not to disgust them with different foods.