Most parents groan at the thought of trying to encourage their kids to eat more fruit and veg. Research has shown that children’s taste buds experience bitter flavours more intensely than adults, which unfortunately makes parents’ lives more difficult.
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That’s why we’ve come up with some tips on how to encourage your kids to eat more fruit and veg to make yours and your kids’ lives better. Not only will their health benefit but it should encourage a better relationship with food that they can take into their adult years.
Get them involved
If your kids aren’t involved at all in the cooking process, they’ll see fruit and veg as something that their parents are forcing them to eat. Take them to the supermarket and involve them in selecting the fruit and vegetables that appeal to them.
Then show your kids how to prepare and cook what they have chosen. If your kids are involved themselves they’ll be more inclined to eat what they’ve prepared.
Make the fruit accessible
Always keep a fruit bowl within your kids’ reach and allow them to take one whenever they want. Keeping fruit accessible will remind your kids that fruit is a good snacking option, and if you keep sweet stuff out of the way they won’t be tempted to take that option instead.
Add it to their cereal
Another way to introduce fruit into your kids’ diets is to add some dried fruit to their breakfast.
Dried fruit often has a less intense taste so mix it in with their cereal and they may find they enjoy the new flavour and texture it adds to their breakfast.
Cut into friendly shapes
Looking at fruit and vegetables on a plate can be intimidating so why not try using cake cutters to make them more attractive to eat? With fruit and veg it’s about making them as un-intimidating as possible for your kids to want to give them a go!
Give them a variety of options
When trying to introduce fruit and veg into your kids' diets, don't just stick to one option at a time. There will be plenty of choice at your supermarket, so introduce your child to a variety.
Persevere
Introducing fruit and vegetables to your kids’ diets takes time. They may not even try it until it has been on their plates several times, but making it a regular part of their meals will encourage them to give it a go.
Try to be patient too – when I was little it was upsetting to know that my parents were frustrated with me for refusing to try anything new, so don’t let your frustration show, no matter how difficult it may be!
Share your experiences with us by commenting below or tweeting @FemaleFirst_UK
by Julia Molloy
Tagged in Kick Ass fruit Parenting Advice