All children have their moments of being a picky eater. It can seem impossible to make sure they are getting enough nutrients from fruits and vegetables when they often refuse to eat them. The key to incorporating fruits and vegetables into your child’s diet is making it fun. Children are always excited to try out something they deem as fun and exciting. The Mayo Clinic provides an in-depth description of nutrition for kids here.
Incorporating Fruits and Vegetables Into Your Child’s Diet
Fun activities can be the perfect way to change up your child’s diet. New fruits and vegetables are just waiting to find themselves on your child’s plate. At Carithers Pediatric Group, we are invested in your child’s health in and out of the doctor’s office. With these simple tricks, you can change up their diet easily.
1. Incorporate Vegetables Into Foods You Already Know They Enjoy
When your child already enjoys a certain meal, this can be the best chance for incorporating a vegetable, or even a fruit, into it. This could mean their favorite dinner or even the lunch they prefer bringing to school. For example, sandwiches are an easy way to introduce tomatoes, lettuce, and even onions if your child has not had much experience with them before.
2. Try Out A New Salad With Fruits or Vegetables
Salads are a fantastic way to bring fruits and vegetables together as part of a meal. It does not have to be the main component of the dinner, maybe even just a side. However, it can hold numerous types of new types to introduce to your child. With them all mixed up in a salad, your child may not even realize that they haven’t had a certain fruit or vegetable before.
3. Always Send A Fruit In Their Lunch
Kid’s lunches are the perfect time to include a creative fruit. Whether that is in the way it is cut up or in the variety of fruits themselves, a child could get excited by it at lunchtime. One way to see if your child is actually eating the fruit is by checking their lunchbox when they get home from school or discussing it with their teacher as something to keep their eye on.
4. Make Fruits and Vegetables The Ready-To-Go “Snack”
When children have had a long day at school or at play, they often come searching for a snack. A great way of incorporating fruits and vegetables into their diet is to have them as the easiest available snack. That way, they will grab and go, all while enjoying a delicious, healthy snack. Better Health describes that variety in fruits and vegetables is important, so the daily snack is the optimal time to introduce many different options.
5. Show Them – Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Yourself
Children often copy the actions of those around them, especially those who they admire. As their parent or guardian, you can show them that fruits and vegetables are important by consuming them yourself. They may even ask for a bite of yours! This is the perfect way to give them a chance to try it. Keep your favorite types stocked in the house and whenever possible, show them that fruits and vegetables are a great snack during the day.
Children often feel like fruits and vegetables are the last food they’d like to be eating. When they feel that way, it can make incorporating fruits and vegetables into their diet difficult. This does not have to be a constant worry though as there are many ways around it! Do you want even more tips on getting your child to eat fruits and vegetables? Our medical professionals at Carithers Pediatric Group are here to help. Check out our website or give us a call to discuss even more ways to introduce new fruits and vegetables to your child.