How Do I Get My 2.5 Year Old to Eat More Veggies?

E.,

You just described my son to a tee. If it was not in the form of a chicken nugget he would not touch it. I would make put of the food we were eating the way I know he would eat it and then I would make him taste something new. The rule in my house is you have to at least try it before you can tell me you do not like it. I do not substitute food either. When I make meals I made his more on the plain side.
You may want to get her on a good multi vitamin and you may want to look into a meal enhancer made just for kids. This way proper nutrition is not a concern. I have one if you are interested. But the rest is going to be baby steps. At her age their taste buds are not fully developed. So this will take time to see what at this stage in her life taste good to her. My son is now 8 and he eats just about everything now.

This is a tough one. Good Luck. If you need to bounce ideas off anyone, just let me know.

L.
Herbalife Wellness Coach/
Certified Nutritionist
www.herbalmom.com

Yes, I do have advice! And links. I love The Sneaky Chef's ideas (tasteless vegetable purees in everyday foods)!
http://thesneakychef.com
And here's one that I was inspired by her to create
http://lhlearnandplay.com/Gallery/album06/070607_002
and a picture of one of my daycare children (who would never eat any of the "healthy" ingredients, if he knew) eating it: http://lhlearnandplay.com/Gallery/album06/spinach_brownie

Enjoy!

Your daughter eats some vegetables in raw form, at least. I would strongly recommend taking a pretty laid-back approach with her eating, or it is guaranteed to backfire and turn into a power struggle - which can take the pleasure completely out of mealtimes. I suggest that each child take a bite of everything on their plate; but forcing the issue can cause some real unhappiness: gagging and so on. It's counterproductive, IMO, to associate these memories with particular foods. I always put a variety on the plate and only give "seconds" on the nutritious ones. A child's preferences will change eventually. If they're not pressured, they'll often become more adventurous, in their desire to be more like Mommy and Daddy.

Hi E. - I remember how hard it was at that age to get them to eat good food I put on the table - especially vegetables. I am a mom of three young boys who has tried just about everything, such as hiding veggies in things they will eat like spaghetti sauce which is a good idea. I also make fruit smoothies which they love. Keep a tray of a variety of colorful whole foods she can snack on throughout the day that are healthy. The tray should be accessible to her so she can help herself(that is unless they just chuck it all on the floor) - a muffin pan works great - of things like halved grapes, nuts, carrots, bran chex, light ranch dressing, apple slices, orange segments, pretzils, etc..... Dr. Sears (www.askdrsears.com) says it's good to raise a grazer. And, if you make kid friendly food for lunch (turkey sandwich on wheat in kid size squares, PB& J) and little bite sized dinner (chicken, fish, rice, soft broccoli, corn on the cob, snap peas for example). She won't starve. She may be willing to stand her ground for a day or two, but will soon realize you're not giving in and they should eat what you prepare or feel really hungry. A good book that has taught my children why it's important to eat healthy is by Dr. William Sears called Eat Healthy, Feel Great. I think you can get it on Amazon for $8. It teaches them in kid terms about green light (go foods), yellow light and red light foods.
Lastly, I recommend you give her Juice Plus. It has far greater natural phytonutrients than a multi-vitamin can provide. It's 17 whole food fruits and veggies in capsule form (also comes in gummy form which your daughter will love and think is candy - little will they know how healthy it is for her!) It's an excellent insurance plan to ensure she is getting the daily nutrition she needs for optimal health (when the parents eat Juice Plus too, it not only lowers risk of illness and disease, but sets a good example). Check my website at www.juiceplus.com/+cc42230. I encourage you to learn more about nutrition for your family by calling this health information line - 800-942-1260. Good luck! If you want more information about Juice Plus, feel free to contact me at ###-###-####.

C.
JUICE PLUS - 17 Whole Food Fruits and Vegetables in Capsule Form
JUICE PLUS - America's Brand Name For Prevention
www.juiceplus.com/+cc42230
www.lovejuiceplus.com

E.,

This is something that is 100% normal. I have a 3yr old girl my self. Try and think back when you feed her baby foods what did she love. Also DON’T FORCE HER TO EAT THE SAME FOODS AS YOU. This can make it worse and she may not ever try that food again. This can also lead to bad eating habits. Question do you and your husband eat veggies? I only ask because my friend’s husband will not eat anything green so their 2yr old will not anything green or vegetable like. Being a stay at home mom too one thing that helped me was letting my little girl see me cook the food, Get her interest going. My little girl loves raw carrots will not eat them cooked, likes canned green beans over fresh, the list goes on and on find out the little things Set out some raw veggies see what she goes for. On this that works for me is if my daughter just dose not like what we are having (mind you after she has tried one bite of all the stuff that is on her plate this takes work) Let her have what she likes PB&J Mac and cheese what ever it is a big bowl of fruit and some bred with butter. Now is when they start to have their own eating habits and taste buds are growing. Try not making bland food she may want to have flavor. BUT and it’s a big one sometimes it will fell like they are living off the dirt they play in. She will eat when she is hungry. Talk to your doctor about daily vitamins this way you know she get the nutrients she need. I hope this can help. Let me know if you would like any good food tips.

A.

Start by pureeing vegetables and adding them to soups, your spaghetti sauce, etc. Try veggies that can be made a bit sweet, like sweet potatoes (add butter, borwn sugar and cinnamon). Once she starts eating those, she'll hopefully get more into her. Also, talk to your doc re a multi-vitamin.

My daughter is 2 1/2 today actually and the only vegetable she really will eat is corn, she also likes baby carrots after they have been par boiled. She LOVES salad so I tend to load up her salad with nuts and peas and cheese and what ever else I can sneak in there. There are times when she does not eat her dinner and thats just the way it goes for her, but I refuse to make "special dinners" for her. That is a habit that could go on for years.

E., i sent you some recipies earlier, but it slipped my mind to tell you about something new that i have been giving to my children. Im sure you have heard of the Acai Berry, its in the Perricone diet book and its something so awesome. My sister sent me a bottle to try, i was so hesitant about it but, like you i have a 5 year old who will barely eat anything. My 2 youngest eat pretty good. My hardest thing is to get him to eat breakfast, the most important meal of the day. Well I started giving him a little bit of this everyday, its so nurtrious that i dont worry much about his eating habits anymore. There are alot more benifits to this drink, but i still have to see, yes i am a skeptic, just as most people are, but as far as the nutrious thing goes, its all in there and it tastes good. Its a complete fruit drink, i heard of it once on Oprah, but thought nothing of it till my sister talked me into it, I ordered a case, i yet have to see all the other benefits of it. I will let you know, but if you want more info. on it please visit this website. Let me know what you think. Monavie.com
Good Luck, A.!

Buy a juicer and juice the veggies, and hopefully your daughter will drink her veggies from her favorite sippy cup! Carrots and apples are a good mix for example - just try different things. Good luck! (sounds like we have something in common - Mom's helping Mom's work from home. )

YOu know the more you tell her to eat them the more she will not. With my kids the loved to dip them, so i would serve them with a few small tiny jars for dipping, cheese sauce, ketchup, etc...you can servie warm or cold...try offering a plate with veggies and some meat with dipping sauces and choices...hope that helps
D. (Canyon COuntry_

I make turkey meatballs and put grated up zuchinni, carrot or broccoli inside.
Good luck

If your kiddo likes spaghetti, try sneaking veggies into the sauce. When I make spaghetti sauce for my 2-year-old, I simmer veggies in the sauce as I'm cooking it. I put zucchini, spinach, mushrooms & carrots, but you can put whatever you want. Then I put it in the food processor so it's all smooth, and he doesn't know the difference! It's also cool, because you can make a ton of it and freeze it it individual serving sizes.

Since I'm a busy mom, special meals are out of the question, too! But I have found making soups with a vegetable based broth helps save me time & it keeps in the fridge or freezer until needed. Let me know if you want any recipes :) Good Luck!

Hi

Try mixing pureed carrots or grated zuchini or yellow squash in with the spaghetti sauce. Also, you can make banana/zuchini bread. If she has tried meatloaf...you can also mix in grated veggies into that as well. I make my boys "monster pancakes". I make the standard crepe recipe:

3 eggs
1 1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup flour
1/4-1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

I put this in the blender and mix it up. I also add a small handful of raw spinach. You can't taste it!! Which is the best part. Because the spinach makes them a bit green, I add a drop or two of green food coloring (hence "monster pancakes") you put a little butter in the pan and drop about 1/4 cup of the mixture in the pan..swirl it around to make a thin pancake. When it looks dry on top, flip it over and cook for a few seconds longer. You can roll them up and slice them with syrup, or fill them with berries/cream...my mom used to make them with sour cream and grape jelly. Cinnamon and sugar works well too! They have a different texture than regular pancakes, so some kids don't like them...but mine love them!! And, after they've cooled, they are an excellent snack to take along!! I've even gone so far as adding grated zucchini and flax seed as well!! They are a hit every time. My boys are 5 and 3 and I've been making them since they were little. Its their favorite "breakfast for dinner"..and I'm satisfied they got some veggies along with eggs!
I have many more ideas....let me know if you're intersted!! I didn't want to bombard you with everything..I'm sure you've received a lot of responses.

Take care and good luck!
She'll grow out of this stage soon!
S.

I've made this same recomendation about a dozen times on this site already, but here it goes again.

You can shred MANY veggies into other foods she eats. Zucchini, carrots, and soft skined sqaushes are EASY to shred into most sauces, sandwiches (I mix it into the mayo), and formed meets (like burgers and meatloaf), and it doesn't really change the taste. When it comes to Spaghetti there are SO many things you can add. Here's my Spaghetti sauce recipe:

1 lg can crushed tomatoes (I think 32oz)
1 md can Italian style stewed tomato (about 15oz)
1 md Onion, diced
2 Bell peppers diced large (I use 1 green, 1 yellow)
2 cloves Garlic, pressed or diced
1 Zuccini, shredded
1 Carrot, shredded
1/2 cup Parmesan (sp?)
1 lb ground beef (or sausage, ground turkey, ground pork, or combanation of any of them)

Brown meat, onions, and garlic together in large skillet. When almost done add bell peppers. When peppers have started to soften (not all the way, as you're still going to cook them more in the sauce) drain meat mixture

In a large sauce (or stew) pan pour cans of tomatoes, meat mixture, and shredded veggies. Bring to and keep at a simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently. Add Parmesan and stir until all sauce looks the same. (This will slightly discolor your sauce, but tastes great.)

Serve with cooked pasta, fried eggplant, Spagetti Squash (actual squash you can buy that when cooked looks like thin spaghetti) or any thing else you like to use sauce for.

A few side notes: you can leave out the meat all together if you want and it still tastes great. I often add diced eggplant to the sauce, but don't do this unless you KNOW the family likes eggplant, as it does change the flavor of the sauce. I also add mushrooms during the last 5 minutes it simmers. I also add banana squash some times, and often "clean out" my produce drawer and toss in anything that I think would taste good with the sauce flavors.

I hope this helps~ J.

Hi, you say your daughter likes the teriyaki chicken on a skewer, why not add some veggies there (i.e. grape tomatoes, zucchini...etc.). When my son was about her age, I introduced spaghetti WITH broccoli mixed into it. He is almost 5 now & will tell me not to forget the broccoli if he knows we're having spaghetti. He was never a big mac & cheese fan (like most kids), but he will eat it if I add peas. He's gotten so used to eating veggies/fruits, but you have to stay on top of it. Maybe it's the texture she doesn't like. I know my son loves anything crunchy. Sometimes when I'm making a salad, I just cut him up a big slice of red bell pepper with salt & lemon. He usually comes back asking for more. It's hard I know, but don't give up. And when/if she does even take a small bite, make sure to give her lots & lots of praise. Tell her that she should be proud of herself for trying new things. I went through feeding & behavioral therapy with my son, so I learned alot. Hope this helps & good luck!

Sandra