06 Nov How to Convince Your Kids to Eat Their Vegetables
We all know how important it is to eat plenty of vegetables. They’re full of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients which are vital for good health. But convincing kids to eat their veg can be quite a challenge. Here are some strategies you can use to make things easier.
Be a good example
If you barely touch your own vegetables, your kids will be unimpressed when you order them to eat theirs. Make sure they see you eating and enjoying vegetables.
The language you use to talk about vegetables is important. If you tell your kids they can’t have dessert until they eat their broccoli, it makes eating veg sound like a chore. Try to get them excited about vegetables as well as dessert. Encourage them to notice the attractive colors of the vegetables and appreciate their flavors and textures. Carrots, for instance, are bright orange, taste sweet and have a nice crunchy texture.
Make it fun
Again, language matters, so be imaginative when you talk about vegetables. For example, referring to broccoli florets as ‘tiny treetops’ can make kids more inclined to eat them.
Make a game out of trying new vegetables. Take your kids shopping and let them pick out the veggies they want. If your child completely refuses to eat certain vegetables, make an effort to find some that he or she prefers.
Article continues below...
.
Overcoming Severe Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Low IQ: A Case Study
Meet Maddie, a 10-year-old who had been diagnosed with severe dyslexia, moderate dyscalculia, ADHD and low IQ (low 80s). People who had evaluated her said that they had never seen dyslexia as severe as this before. Her parents had been told by more than one professional that Maddie would probably never read…
Read More
Kimberly, United States
Beating Learning Disabilities: 50+ Videos, Testimonials and Reviews
Testimonials, reviews and video clips, covering Edublox clients of all age groups, from all over the world, at various stages of implementation, and for various needs — from improving the cognitive skills of children without learning difficulties to overcoming dyslexia, dysgraphia, math problems, et cetera.
Read More
Overcoming Learning Challenges: 70+ Videos, Testimonials and Reviews
Testimonials, reviews and video clips, covering Edublox clients of all age groups, from all over the world, at various stages of implementation, and for various needs — from improving the cognitive skills of children without learning difficulties to overcoming dyslexia, dysgraphia, math problems, et cetera.
Read More
Reading and Learning Has Become a Pleasure
For me, as a homeschool mom, it’s amazing to see how my children’s confidence has “exploded”. Since we started Edublox, they pick up every little book and magazine because they WANT TO READ. They WANT to go to the library. Fights about reading is a far-fetched memory… reading and learning has now become a pleasure in our house.
Read More
Christelle de Villiers, Homeschool Mom
Now Reading with Ease and Confidence
Reading used to be so much work for him that he didn’t enjoy it and only read when he had to. Now he reads with ease and confidence. As a matter of fact, he enjoys reading so much that it isn’t unusual to see him reading for pleasure now. The first time I heard him say he was “going to bed a little early so he could read before going to sleep” was music to my ears!!
Read More
Sheri Browning, USA
Overcoming a Spelling Problem
I feel as if part of my daughter’s mind was trapped, and Edublox set her free… She is now almost an intuitive speller. Really, it’s a miracle. Six months ago, her spelling tested at a Kindergarten level, and is now at a 6th grade level. This is just still so amazing to all of us who have struggled with her.
Read More
The Adams household, New Mexico, USA
Reading and Spelling Greatly Improved
Phonics just did not work. Last year they did not improve in their reading level all year. We started Edublox in June and already in the first 9 weeks of school they have increased over 2 1/2 years…. Their spelling has greatly improved and learning new words has become a game, not the dreaded chore it once was.
Read More
Nita Brist, Washington State, US
Reading Up by 2 Years in Less than 6 Months
He finished the school year on a real high, his reading age went up by 2 years in less than 6 months and he is now making far fewer mistakes and is also self correcting himself when it doesn’t make sense, his spelling age improved as well and he also did really well in the end of year exams with his best results in most subjects.
Read More
Jenny & Greg, UK
Sean’s Reading Really Leaped
Sean’s reading really leaped between the 7th and 8th month of Edublox…. I have been able to get out books that I have always wanted to read together with him, but used to look at them and knew they were above his reading level and had to put them away. But now I have been able to get out those books and he can read them.
Read More
Cindy B, Michigan, US
Reading Was Tortuous, Now Sean Is Devouring Books
He is devouring books at a rapid rate and it is a joy to see. He is keen to discuss the books he has read to me and he obviously has understood what he has read. Six months ago reading a book was tortuous for him because even if he read it his reading was so faltering and full of mistakes that he couldn’t comprehend the text.
Read More
Abi Stinson, UK
Get your kids involved
As well as taking them shopping, get your kids involved in the preparation of meals. Let them wash and chop the vegetables if they’re old enough. That way, they’ll feel more invested in the meal and will probably be more prepared to eat it.
If you have the space and time, you could take it a step further and grow your own veggies. Kids love helping to plant, water and harvest vegetables. And they’ll be far more interested in eating produce they’ve grown themselves.
Serve vegetables creatively
A lump of boiled greens can be unappetizing, so try adding vegetables into sauces instead. You can also experiment with other ways of cooking them, like roasting and frying. Give your kids vegetable sticks as snacks, along with a tasty dip like hummus. Make vegetables the star attraction of your meals instead of using them as boring sides. Try new recipes like stuffed peppers, vegetable lasagna, and ratatouille. It may help if you cut vegetables into small pieces to make them easier for kids to eat.
You can also try blending up one part leafy greens to two parts fruit to make a green smoothie. Don’t rely too much on this, though — it’s important that your children enjoy eating whole vegetables too.
If you implement these tips, your kids will be well on their way to enjoying vegetables. Remember to be patient, as change probably won’t happen overnight. Good luck!
Edublox Online Tutor offers multisensory cognitive training that enables learners to overcome reading problems and learning challenges and reach their full potential. Over the last 30+ years, the company behind the Online Tutor e-learning platform, Edublox, has helped thousands of children to read, learn and achieve through home kits and learning clinics internationally. Our programs are founded on pedagogical research and more than three decades of experience demonstrating that weak underlying cognitive skills account for the majority of learning difficulties. Specific cognitive exercises can strengthen these weaknesses leading to increased performance in reading, spelling, writing, math and learning.
We Make Reading and Learning Easy
