{"id":2184,"date":"2016-08-28T04:28:14","date_gmt":"2016-08-28T04:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.daniellebinns.com\/stagingsite\/?p=2184"},"modified":"2016-09-14T14:08:19","modified_gmt":"2016-09-14T14:08:19","slug":"kid-wont-eat-veggies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.daniellebinns.com\/stagingsite\/2016\/08\/kid-wont-eat-veggies\/","title":{"rendered":"Your child won’t eat veggies…until now!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why won’t my kid\u00a0eat veggies??? \u00a0[you ask\u00a0as you tug\u00a0the hair on your head<\/em>]. \u00a0 So frustrating right!<\/p>\n

Our little ones\u00a0are willing to try a new cookie or cupcake. \u00a0No problem there.<\/p>\n

But try a new veggie (or any veggie in some cases)? \u00a0Heck no!<\/p>\n

\"Kids<\/a><\/p>\n

So what’s up with the veggie haters?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

A few factors come to play here:<\/p>\n

(1) Kids\u00a0know how badly we want them to eat those vegetables<\/strong> and\u00a0<\/strong>will\u00a0do the opposite of what parents want\u00a0(through to the hormonal teenage years, I’ve been told). \u00a0Our little ones can see and sense our desperation to get some carrots, cauliflower or other veggies into their repertoire of foods. \u00a0If there’s even a subtle pressure to eat them and they will turn away.<\/p>\n

(2) High carbohydrate and less nutrient-dense foods\u00a0simply taste better<\/strong>. \u00a0They also offer more energy with fewer bites. \u00a0I talk more about kid’s\u00a0love for carbs\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(3) Vegetables can be difficult to eat<\/strong>. \u00a0They are fibrous and require more effort to chew, hence kids will opt for foods that require less work and time at the table (so they can get back to playing).<\/p>\n

(4) Genetics<\/strong>. \u00a0Some children are classified as “super tasters” meaning they have a gene that makes the bitterness in veggies more pronounced. “Part of the pickiness can be attributed to specific genes that govern taste. Variants of the TAS2R38 gene, for example, have been\u00a0found to encode for taste receptors\u00a0that determine how strongly someone tastes bitter flavours.” (Source<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Whether your little one is carb-crazy or a “super taster”, it does not mean they will forever be veggie-haters.<\/p>\n

Being “picky” today doesn’t always mean they’ll be “picky” tomorrow<\/span><\/h3>\n

Research shows that 1 in 4 children continue to be picky eaters as adults.<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0The determining factors are the mealtime environment, the\u00a0parent’s approach, along with how often foods are presented. \u00a0These factors will dictate whether our kids continue to be picky as adults or not.<\/p>\n

It’s just a matter of doing the right thing at meals (most of which is common sense but parents may need a little help).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If we\u00a0follow the common advice given\u00a0and sneak veggies them into sauces, mash them into muffins,\u00a0or blend them into smoothies….we\u00a0will likely be successful in the short term<\/span>. \u00a0If kids\u00a0don’t know what they are eating, chances are they will eat it.<\/p>\n

However…<\/p>\n

I don’t want to GET my kids to eat veggies…or anything for that matter.<\/span><\/h3>\n

I want them to LEARN to like veggies – what they are, what they look and taste like – in the short AND\u00a0long term<\/span>. Even at the risk of those greens not being a favourite\u00a0food\u00a0(for now). \u00a0 Learning about food can’t happen without seeing a food\u00a0and knowing it\u00a0is there.<\/p>\n

So I take a different approach when it comes to feeding my kids veggies. \u00a0Thankfully the research (and my veggie-loving daughters) suggest\u00a0I’m doing something right!\"free<\/p>\n

5 Ways\u00a0to\u00a0Help Kid’s Eat<\/del>\u00a0Learn to Like Veggies<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

1.<\/span> Be neutral about veggies.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The more we make it known that we REALLY WANT THEM TO EAT THEIR VEGGIES, the more our little ones\u00a0withdraw. \u00a0 If we say “you have to eat your cucumber if you want your ice cream<\/em>” they hear\u00a0ice cream must be really<\/em>\u00a0good and cucumbers must not be that good\u00a0(if I have to<\/em> eat them).<\/p>\n

Try This<\/span>:<\/strong> Casually explain\u00a0which\u00a0foods are being offered for dinner, etc. \u00a0Then eat your veggies (SO important) and say nothing else.<\/p>\n

2.<\/span> Make veggies taste good too.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Remove the health and guilt factor for a moment and answer this:\u00a0Would you rather eat some cauliflower\u00a0or a cookie?<\/em> \u00a0 I’m a Nutritionist and will admit (albeit reluctantly) that a cookie would be\u00a0my choice. \u00a0Cauliflower is\u00a0good too…buuut\u00a0a cookie simply tastes better (even the\u00a0ridiculously\u00a0healthy versions\u00a0like my Pumpkin Cookies\u00a0<\/a>or my ABC Cookies<\/a>). \u00a0Well, what if we made veggies taste delicious too? \u00a0 What if we\u00a0used some spices? \u00a0Do not fear thou spice! \u00a0Remember our little ones\u00a0had exposure to flavour\u00a0in their earliest days, so why stop now. \u00a0“In the womb, the growing baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid daily. That fluid surrounding the baby is actually flavored by the foods and beverages the mother has eaten in the last few hours.” (Source<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Try This<\/span>:<\/strong> \u00a0Find a flavour or texture that your child already enjoys (citrusy, salty, sweet, soft, chewy, breaded, crunchy, etc). and use that for some veggie inspiration. \u00a0If they gravitate to something like creamy like Mac &\u00a0Cheese, try one with Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce<\/a> like this (but don’t sneak it in). \u00a0Or take it a step further and try this incredible\u00a0Dairy-Free Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole<\/a>!<\/p>\n

3.<\/span> Help them be successful.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For some of our little ones, trying a new food or veggie is no big deal. \u00a0For others kids, like my daughter a few years ago, working themselves up to eat a carrot stick\u00a0can be really tough. \u00a0It may be driven by\u00a0genetics (i.e. super tasters), personalities, sensory challenges or oral motor delays.\u00a0 Or simply, kids being kids. \u00a0 Whatever the reason, the best thing we can do as parents is create an environment that makes eating fun…and easy. \u00a0We want an environment where our kids can feel like they are successful at the table. \u00a0Even it if they aren’t “eating” per se.<\/p>\n

Try This:<\/strong><\/span> Create opportunities for our little ones to explore new foods by working them up this hierarchy. \u00a0 Download the FREE Stick Charts I’ve created for you (click\u00a0below). \u00a0Every time your child interacts with a new veggie (smell, touch, bite, taste, etc) they get a sticker. \u00a0It’s incredibly rewarding for them to see the stickers add up. \u00a0I’ve included (simple) instructions on how to use the Sticker Charts in the free download.<\/p>\n

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