What should I do if my child doesn't like to eat vegetables? 7 ways to make picky eaters fall in love with vegetables!

"Mom, I don't want to eat this, I just want to eat what I like..." Broccoli, beetroot, cabbage, green onions... These are all vegetables that are rich in nutrients and beneficial to human health, and are also the most popular among young children." Spit on" vegetables. Do not like to eat vegetables, I am afraid it is the "common problem" of most children. For parents, it is a big problem that the baby in the family does not eat well. It is obvious that various methods have been used, but it does not work. Every time it is time to eat, the baby in the family becomes a little devil, and eating is like fighting a war, which makes adults exhausted . As a parent, are you often helpless about your child's picky eaters? However, as long as you guide them correctly and don't put too much pressure on your children, they will naturally learn to accept them after they have been exposed to new foods for a long time. If necessary, you can also listen to child care experts for advice. American Academy of Pediatrics experts Natalie Diggart Moose and Sally Sampson shared 7 ways to keep their children from being picky eaters, and mothers may wish to learn from them.

1. Parents should be role models for their children.

Children are picky eaters because they imitate their parents' behavior in deciding what to eat and what not to eat, according to a UC Santa Barbara health study. Experienced parents know that small children like to grab things and put them in their mouths, whether it's food, mud, or soap, and they can't stop eating. What parents don't know, however, is that these little guys grow up watching how adults react to certain foods and then follow suit. If parents want their kids to eat broccoli, they should set an example and eat it from the first day their kids can eat. When eating, parents should show great interest in food, and they can praise while eating: "It's delicious!" "We all like to eat." Children will take the initiative to imitate after receiving positive cues.

To make their children not picky eaters, parents must set an example and teach by example more than words. As a parent, if you don’t eat a certain vegetable, it’s even harder to expect your child to eat it! Research shows that children who grow up in families with healthy parents’ eating habits are less picky eaters and more willing to try more vegetables they don’t like. At the same time, it is more likely to develop the habit of eating fruits and vegetables. In particular, mothers should pay more attention to nutritional balance during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The mother's choice of food will affect the taste of amniotic fluid and milk, which is very important for children to develop good eating habits.

2. Make vegetables more interesting.

The study found that eating vegetables for children also needs a "selling point", and food with full color and flavor can more arouse appetite. When it comes to food, the child is most concerned about taste, hunger and nutrition are irrelevant. Often because of developing taste, children prefer sweets to healthy vegetables like tomatoes and squash. Give your food a name, such as "see-through carrot", "superhero pumpkin", or make a food shape, such as: cherry tomatoes to harmonize colors; tomatoes, bell peppers, and zucchini can be hollowed out to serve as containers, Can increase the child's vegetable intake from 32% to 66%.

Numerous psychological studies have found that instead of asking children what vegetables they like to eat, help the little one make the decision. It's a good idea to provide children with brightly colored "rainbow vegetables." For example, beets, corn, carrots, broccoli, and cucumbers.

To make the food more interesting, experts advocate serving small meals, such as some ice cream sticks and bell peppers for carrot and cucumber ice cream. There are many ways to increase a child's appetite, and imagination is the greatest productivity. In general, the key to solving a child's picky eating problem is to capture the child's attention and stimulate their curiosity.

3, pay attention to collocation, small quantity and many categories.

Another trick to arouse your child's appetite is to mix a variety of foods. Even for adults, a plate of veggies with a wide variety, bright colors, and novel shapes looks more delicious than a drab pot of zucchini. Parents should scientifically and rationally carry out dietary matching. In the case of reasonable collocation, even children who don't like vegetables will eat more to avoid waste. For vegetables such as carrots, cherry tomatoes, small pieces of cabbage, head cabbage, etc., we can encourage children to eat with their hands.

For children with partial eclipse and picky eaters, they can try to provide a small amount of food and stimulate repeatedly. Parents can also enhance their children's interest in eating through positive demonstration and pleasant guidance.

4. Hide vegetables in food.

For children who are picky eaters, vegetables can be combined with other foods organically. Parents can add a very small amount of vegetables to their children's favorite foods, for example: stir vegetables and meat together to make stuffing, or use vegetable puree and dough to make meatballs, dumplings (buns), delicious and healthy, He Leer Not for?

Experts suggest that you should learn to think outside the box and find a different way in the cooking process. Endive smoothies, carrot pudding, vegetable cakes, spinach pancakes...these are delicious and nutritious treats that are great for tackling kids' picky eaters. Come and try it!

5. Matching meat and vegetables, more vegetables and less meat.

A study found that pairing vegetables with your child's favorite foods can greatly increase your child's vegetable intake. A foreign comparative study found that after cabbage was paired with cream cheese, children's vegetable intake increased from 20% to 72%. Another study found that if half of the plate was meat and only a tiny bit of vegetables, kids would naturally save vegetables for last. And if you double the amount of vegetables, the child will be more interested in vegetables. Also, it is advisable to encourage children to eat vegetables before a meal—that is, when they are hungry—and avoid serving vegetables near the end of a meal.

6. Take your children to the vegetable section of the supermarket

The next time you prepare food for your kids, ask them what they want to eat first, or take them to the supermarket to pick up some favorite vegetables. Preparing food according to their preferences will not only satisfy your child's independent needs, but also make your child more willing to accept your cooking. However, following is not the same as catering. If parents have other dishes they want to prepare, such as spicy Thai dishes, they only need to put less chili in the children's portion.

7. Let your child be an "assistant cook"

Children may not like to eat vegetables, but they are passionate about cooking. Children generally prefer and are willing to taste vegetables that are picked or cooked by them. Purchasing ingredients, washing vegetables and fruits, preparing dough, making meatballs, cleaning dishes... These are all tasks that children can do and can improve their motivation to eat.

When adults are cooking, it is good to ask the children to wash the vegetables by the side while chopping vegetables, or to organize the table. Research shows that family involvement in cooking makes mealtime easier, and children who are involved in cooking tend to have more positive eating attitudes because they are more willing to eat the dishes they are involved in cooking. Giving your child the nickname "assistant chef" can encourage them to eat more healthy foods and develop good eating habits.