How to Encourage Your Baby to Eat Vegetables
Start feeding vegetables early on.As soon as your doctor recommends feeding solid foods start incorporating vegetables., Give your baby vegetables frequently regardless of his reaction.Even when he has a negative reaction, don't give up., Sneak...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Start feeding vegetables early on.As soon as your doctor recommends feeding solid foods start incorporating vegetables.
This will help acclimate your child to the different flavors.
With luck, you may find that your child likes vegetables before he learns to throw his plate. -
Step 2: Give your baby vegetables frequently regardless of his reaction.Even when he has a negative reaction
If he is not used to the taste he may spit it out or throw it.
Continue giving him different vegetables and asking him to try each one.
Give your baby less vegetables when you anticipate a negative reaction.
If he decides to throw his plate or food, you will have more to spare.
Only put fresh vegetables onto his plate.
If the vegetables are on the floor, throw those away. , A couple spoonfuls of something tasty and then a random spoonful of vegetables.
He may not like that bite, but you are getting him used to the vegetables. , Have a routine during which everyone sits down to eat for a period of time.
No body gets up until the meal is over.
If your baby chooses not to eat then he sits there with a plate of food until the meal is over.
This is more effective with older babies.
Younger babies may not understand a mealtime routine and become very anxious and upset if forced to sit without stimulation for long.
Consider the age and understanding if your baby when you decide to enforce the routine. , When he is hungry, he will feel satisfaction when eating vegetables.
He will start feeling his hunger go away as soon as he eats.
This self-rewarding feeling can be very beneficial to encouraging your baby to eat vegetables. , If your baby will not eat broccoli, try telling him they are little trees.
Build structures or faces on his plate.
Tell him he is eating the snowman's nose rather than a carrot. , Most of what a baby learns he learns by replicating others.
If you eat the same or similar vegetables as you are feeding him then he may be more interested in eating them.
This can be difficult if you have other household members who refuse to eat their vegetables.
Try to have everyone pitch in to show your baby everyone is eating the same vegetables he is. , Try a different vegetable with each meal.
He may like different brands of vegetables more than others.
You may also want to try preparing them different ways such as cooked or raw.
Be careful not to mix processed vegetables in on a regular basis.
Keep a close eye on the nutritional content of the vegetables you use to ensure your baby is not getting too much sodium, fats, or sugars. , Kid's shows on television may also be a great way to stimulate your baby to emulate favorite characters.
Chose stories that emphasize a certain vegetable.
Then incorporate that vegetable into a meal.
Be careful with television shows and kids' movies.
Although some encourage kids to eat vegetables, others may commiserate with the child.
Poor choices of stories may actually discourage eating vegetables.
Preview whatever you choose to show your baby. , Many people may only eat sweet peas when they are in pot pie.
Others may avoid lima beans unless they are mixed into a stew.
Likewise, hiding vegetables in your baby's food may help encourage them to eat vegetables without them knowing it.
Consider a fruit and vegetable smoothie as a treat for you baby.
He will likely have no idea what vegetables are in it unless you tell him.
Make it right and he'll love it.
Try mixing various fruits together with one or two vegetables so the vegetables' tastes are hidden. -
Step 3: don't give up.
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Step 4: Sneak vegetables into meal times.If you are still at the spoon feeding phase you can sneak vegetables into the meal.
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Step 5: Establish a mealtime routine.This helps for babies
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Step 6: and continues to be effective as your baby grows older.
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Step 7: Limit snacks to make eating vegetables more rewarding.If your baby is not hungry
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Step 8: he will not be as interested in eating vegetables.
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Step 9: Dress vegetables up to be fun.Try making mealtime less about a power struggle and more about imagination.
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Step 10: Show your baby that the vegetables are good.This is as simple as eating them yourself.
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Step 11: Change up your vegetables.Don't try to feed him the same thing every day until he eats it.
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Step 12: Use stories to encourage your baby to eat vegetables.If you like to read to your baby
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Step 13: try reading stories that encourage healthy habits.
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Step 14: Hide vegetables in tasty meals or treats.Even as adults
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Step 15: people refuse to eat certain vegetables.
Detailed Guide
This will help acclimate your child to the different flavors.
With luck, you may find that your child likes vegetables before he learns to throw his plate.
If he is not used to the taste he may spit it out or throw it.
Continue giving him different vegetables and asking him to try each one.
Give your baby less vegetables when you anticipate a negative reaction.
If he decides to throw his plate or food, you will have more to spare.
Only put fresh vegetables onto his plate.
If the vegetables are on the floor, throw those away. , A couple spoonfuls of something tasty and then a random spoonful of vegetables.
He may not like that bite, but you are getting him used to the vegetables. , Have a routine during which everyone sits down to eat for a period of time.
No body gets up until the meal is over.
If your baby chooses not to eat then he sits there with a plate of food until the meal is over.
This is more effective with older babies.
Younger babies may not understand a mealtime routine and become very anxious and upset if forced to sit without stimulation for long.
Consider the age and understanding if your baby when you decide to enforce the routine. , When he is hungry, he will feel satisfaction when eating vegetables.
He will start feeling his hunger go away as soon as he eats.
This self-rewarding feeling can be very beneficial to encouraging your baby to eat vegetables. , If your baby will not eat broccoli, try telling him they are little trees.
Build structures or faces on his plate.
Tell him he is eating the snowman's nose rather than a carrot. , Most of what a baby learns he learns by replicating others.
If you eat the same or similar vegetables as you are feeding him then he may be more interested in eating them.
This can be difficult if you have other household members who refuse to eat their vegetables.
Try to have everyone pitch in to show your baby everyone is eating the same vegetables he is. , Try a different vegetable with each meal.
He may like different brands of vegetables more than others.
You may also want to try preparing them different ways such as cooked or raw.
Be careful not to mix processed vegetables in on a regular basis.
Keep a close eye on the nutritional content of the vegetables you use to ensure your baby is not getting too much sodium, fats, or sugars. , Kid's shows on television may also be a great way to stimulate your baby to emulate favorite characters.
Chose stories that emphasize a certain vegetable.
Then incorporate that vegetable into a meal.
Be careful with television shows and kids' movies.
Although some encourage kids to eat vegetables, others may commiserate with the child.
Poor choices of stories may actually discourage eating vegetables.
Preview whatever you choose to show your baby. , Many people may only eat sweet peas when they are in pot pie.
Others may avoid lima beans unless they are mixed into a stew.
Likewise, hiding vegetables in your baby's food may help encourage them to eat vegetables without them knowing it.
Consider a fruit and vegetable smoothie as a treat for you baby.
He will likely have no idea what vegetables are in it unless you tell him.
Make it right and he'll love it.
Try mixing various fruits together with one or two vegetables so the vegetables' tastes are hidden.
About the Author
Amy Knight
Writer and educator with a focus on practical organization knowledge.
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