You know the drill … a toddler with a long face behind a plate of wilted vegetables. Meat (substitute) is already finished and pasta, rice or potatoes are also snacked on. How can this be, the parent wonders in despair. The thing is … the “will” of our toddlers is guided by an ancient protective mechanism. This mechanism ensures that the inquisitive toddler does not simply put harmful plants and berries in his mouth. Our challenge is to reverse this ancient strategy.
How? A lot of research has been done on this with one clear conclusion: your child will learn to eat vegetables if he is presented with them more often. So put them on the table not only at the hot meal but also at breakfast, lunch and in between meals. Make sure your child can grab them that way … so, for example, cut carrots, tomatoes and peppers into small pieces and offer that in a bowl. Place vegetables on the kitchen counter so your toddler sees them often. Vary the types of vegetables. Boil the vegetables, stir-fry them or put them in the oven.
The Nutrition Center recommends that your toddler and preschooler eat 100 to 150 grams of vegetables. If you start with a vegetable spread under the cheese at breakfast, give five cherry tomatoes at lunch and some strips of peppers in between, you are already at 70 grams. With hot food, you then only need to fill half the plate with vegetables. Telling about the vegetables and giving them crazy names will also help.
Greens, Team Vegetable Heroes
