Sometimes it can be a ‘Veggie’ war between moms and their kids when moms provide spinach, carrot, bean, or broccoli on the plate. But actually it is not a new war. Every mom in this world know it so well. The question is ‘Is there any way out to win this war?’ Yes there is.
Put The Butter on it!
Some moms may wonder why kids hate broccoli or kale? Bitterness. Researchers said that young tongues are particularly sensitive to bitterness, and kids may instinctively repel from bitter foods, unlike adults who’ve grown accustomed to the taste and know that the bitterness comes from the good-for-you nutrients, like calcium, polyphenols, and flavonoids, inside. So to get your kids over that hump, mask the bitterness with butter. Cassie Bjork, RD, of Healthy Simple Life said that everything tastes better with butter, especially vegetables, added fat helps their little bodies absorb the vitamins from the vegetables. Try adding 1 tablespoon of butter per half cup of mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, broccoli, and cooked spinach to temper the bitterness.
Bring the kids to relatives that love veggies
We of course have some friends, family which their whole family member is veggie lovers. As kids are coycat— we can send them sometimes to visit the relatives. At lunch or dinner time the kids will see some kind of veggies and when the kids see their friends or cousins love eating it they might be curious and we can stimulate them by saying “See the broccoli looks so yummy. Wanna some?”
Set the games.
Kids love playing so playing with them everywhere even in a grocery. Say to them that you need their help to choose which vegetables that good and say to them the benefit of the vegetables that their pick to their body. When they pick carrot say it not only crunchy but also good for their eyes. Make them enjoy the trip around the grocery and also at home they can take part of seeing you cooking.
Be a Role Model.
“Be a positive role model by eating healthy yourself! While my 5-year-old isn’t interested in trying everything I eat—like Brussels sprouts, for example— she will gladly sit alongside me and eat edamame, avocados, and veggies with hummus,” suggests Michelle Dudash, RDN, author of Clean Eating for Busy Families.
Snacky Time
Serve some kind of veggies as snack. At the dinner time while waiting you finish cooking serve some healthy snack for them, make them have no choice. Don’t keep any chocolate, cookies, and biscuit at home. Use them as gift after they finished their healthy food.
Veggie Celebrations
Lori Zanini, RD, CDE, and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics said that when we turn meals into festive events, it helps our children enjoy and try new foods. For example, you could have an Italian theme and incorporate a number of tomato dishes throughout the week. Set the table with colorful plates and utensils, and even try arranging vegetables into a shape or figure to help kids see their vegetables as a fun experience rather than something they are forced into consuming.
A last tip is don’t give up. It might be hard at first but just keep it going. Don’t stop offering vegetables to your kids at different meals and in different ways. Be patient till one day they will ask you salad!
Skoebi-do Child Care Centre
Jl. Batur Sari No. 26 Sanur, Bali (085103152058)
Jl. Pantai Berawa Canggu, Bali (085100474573)