log in | register Track your baby's growth

Your Avatar

Sign up to get FREE personalized newsletters about your baby each week.

Enter your due date or baby’s birth date:

baby registry & websites

for friends and family

Need to buy a baby gift? Find baby registries (at top retailers!) and websites with one easy search.

for parents

Customize your registry profile
Create a registry at top retailers

featuring

buybuyBaby diapers.com RightStart and more...and more…

what's hot around the web

you asked...

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

My son is a pretty good eater for the most part, but he refuses anything healthy, especially vegetables. How can I work some vegetables into his diet?

Re: My son is a pretty good eater for the most part, but he refuses anything healthy, especially vegetables. How can I work some vegetables into his diet?

The Bump Expert

Many children are simply afraid to eat new foods. It may take many occasions of you putting vegetables on his plate before he'll even touch them with his fork, let alone put them in his mouth. (And you’ve already heard that you shouldn't force kids to eat anything; otherwise mealtime just becomes a power struggle.) Hang in there, though. After a while, he'll want to know about this mystery food and give it a try.

In the meantime, have you tried disguising veggies in the form of other foods? Make him a smoothie, er, "milkshake" with the berries he loves -- but also with pureed carrots. Use your food processor to whip up some mild homemade salsa with tomatoes, onions, green peppers, even zucchini. Puree squash into pasta sauce for his spaghetti.

Finally, remember that your toddler looks to you as a mealtime model. If you eat healthy, odds are good that he will too.

The Bump Editors

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

They have recipes on how to 'sneek' the vegetables into the casserole or similar dishes. Just type it in Ask.com.

Alisha3 |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

I understand the need to have them eat the veggies but the whole "sneaking" them in thing I'm not that on board with. I just feel like if you aren't showing them what they are eating then they're not learning that it is something they should be eating. Sneaking it into foods just disguises it to make it easier on mom but I don't think it's teaching the kids anything.

mdhohenshelt |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

The point of disguising them is not to teach them how yummy vegetables are so much as get the good nutrients to them in the meantime. Keep putting those green veggies on the plate while pureeing them into the things the child does eat.

NTSKT |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

Cooked veggies seem more palatable, because they are soft and not crunchy. My toddler will eat all kinds of veggies that are rolled inside a wrap sandwich, although he won't eat those same veggies if they are sitting on a plate and he has a chioce in the matter. We just get him to eat them and then show him afterwards what he ate and remind him how yummy they were. :-)

JENNIFERKSBAILEY |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

We are using the same reward system as we do for potty training. We give our daughter a sticker when she tries a new food. She loves princesses, so the princess stickers are a big incentive! After she takes a bite, she finds she likes most things and keeps eating them (only one sticker though :) If she doesn't like it we tell her it is ok and we praise her for trying it in the first place.

maggie2203 |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

I don't have issues at all even with new foods but I incorporate my daughter helping me cook like when I cho the veggies shebcan put them in whatever I cook them in before I put it onto the stove and we give them fun names like since she's a girl the peas are from tinker bells pea pod so we call them tinkers bells carrots are bugs bunnies candy so we call them bunny bars I add cheese go broccoli and she says( for extra flavor) I ve always made sure we all eat healthy and currently workin on my personal trainer degree and certification from Issa but these are just a few examples, and also when she doesn't give me problems weekends are our cheat days and I make cupcakes with her I have an awesome one for monster trucks I'd love to share if you'd like :) since you have a son lol but I confirm with my daughter cause it's cute

cristinagiddens |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

Whatever you do, don't give up on the veggies thing. My kids are 10 & 12 now, and I dropped the ball. They don't like veggies, or many fruits for that matter, and I wish I would have tried harder when they were little. Indianapolis Baby Photographer

Leah777777 |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

My 13 mo old loves brocolli since she started to eat on her own..it's a blessing. Steamed brocolli does it for her. I think it reminds her of a flower she can actually eat. She won't eat any other veggie however. I am content with just brocolli for now. She eats it every day and asks for it with signs if I don't provide..go figure..brocolli...

apolsmom |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

Try dips - it has worked for us! Celery with peanut butter, green and red peppers dunked in hummus, broccoli smothered in ketchup even. Also, you don't have to "disguise" them in order to get them into other foods. For example, spinach on its own is not a hit, but mixed in with mac and cheese they love it. Or make homemade pizza and offer them a whole bunch of veggies to put on - even make faces with olive eyes and red pepper mouths for even more fun. Keep trying and be creative, and you will get there. :-)

BeautifulBooks |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

My son has no problem eating veggies, but it's sometimes hard to get my HUSBAND to eat them! I've found that one of the best ones to get him to eat them (especially when there will be other foods present) is to offer up the veggies before the other food. So, when cooking dinner, I'll put out a dish of cooked veggies for snacking before hand... if it's lunch, I offer them while i make a sandwich, etc.

aawilson |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

DD loves to snack on what she calls "juice". They are the squeeze packets of food (Happy Tot's and Ella's Organics). She actually eats broccoli, spinach, peas, and any other veggie and/or fruit this way. She LOVES them. Also, I got the Sneaky Chef cookbooks which gives awesome disguising recipes. Also, I have found "cookies" that are made organically with veggies hidden in them. They actually taste pretty good too!

psuash7 |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

My Son will eat Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Pizza so I sneak them in and on them, but I have to agree with some others though, I don't like the idea of having to sneak them and hope soon, I can teach him to just enjoy them and know they are good for him to start a healthy eating pattern.

maidenlane67 |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

I like to sneak avocado into all sorts of things. Spinach too. Both add a lot of nutrition with little effect on taste. Love them!

Poonico |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

Grow your own vegetables. My kids have started eating raw broccoli and sugar snap peas right off the plant because they participated in planting and caring for them. Now it's exciting to pick and eat them. Another idea is to let them try them frozen. My kids love frozen peas.

faolan447 |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

Smoothies as an afternoon snack work for my toddler. I will add spinach or kale to a fruit smoothie. "it's tasty" she says, after drinking all of it.

MamaNora |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

I steam mine and then mashed em......almost like mashed potatoes but minus the butter and so forth.... my two year old would even eat green beans and peas. I would tell her what it is and have her help me make it.

NEOUTAN |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

I dont have much of a problem because i started my son on veggies at around 8 months. (he was off baby food completely at 9 months. just easting real food). i tried all the veggies and found the ones he really likes. He will eat green beans straight from the can if i let him, and he loves avocado, but i put a little sour cream on it, (same with brussel sprouts) so he gets his dairy too. also, Ranch dressing helps. it has "good fats" in it, so a little is good for them and it makes cauliflower and broccoli disappear.

ljgrove |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

My husband got my son to eat broccoli by telling him that they were trees.

snuminen |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

A recent study says that teeth problems cause early heart problems so you should be very careful what you give your toddler to eat! I've got a friend that works at a dental Tucson clinic and he told me that children will love things that they will eat when they are little. A friend of mine hates milk and loves carrots just because her mother gave her carrot juice while she was young.

GuyLoach |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

3 words: sneak them in!!! LOL..i will cut up veggies until they are barely recognizable and then mix them into other food. current favorite is asparagus. i chop them up so thin and mix them in with my 3 year olds mashed potatoes. she calls them crunchy potatoes LOL

kayleighsmommy08 |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

My trick with my 3 year old is simple, fat free ranch! I ate ranch on everything while i was pregnant with her. After i had her i never touched the stuff. But now, i give her something n she tries it. If she doesnt like it i simply ask if she wants ranch. She eats everything with some ranch, just like i did when she was in me. But i never over the ranch first. Sometimes she rather have ketchup. Lol as long as she eats.

Jesska1016 |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

So Im also guilty of "sneaking" veggies into the macaroni and cheese but I talked to the Dr and he said to just add some fats to them its ok if you add a side of ranch dressing to get them to eat the carrots add a little butter or cheese its not going to take away any of the vitamins of the veggies ur just adding something to make it taste a little better

efrye85 |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

I mix my toddler's veggies with fruit, mash potatoes or rice and he loves it.

Eratraia |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

well try more or just blend it in his food STUFF IT IN HIS MOUTH just kidding but have patience

omfghaveuheard |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

For my toddler it's a texture thing - he doesn't like anything that is "wet" or "slimy", so cooked or raw veggies and fruits don't do it for him at all. I've found that dehydrated veggie chips and fruits are okay though - he likes the texture and doesn't mind picking them up. I know it's not the healthiest option compared to actual fresh veggies and fruits, but I feel like he's at least getting something nutritious.

amyehoward |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

Just by making it more tastier or by mixing with the food your baby likes most.

harun55 |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

I've got to be honest, I think that most kids (with the exception of kids with sensory issues) eat what they see their parents eating. So if they see you just loving veggies, they will too. If they see you eat crap and force the veggies on them, it's not going to fly.

Billysbaby722 |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

I agree about disguising foods. I think it's great to add veggies to pasta sauce for the whole family, and drink green smoothies, but not if that's all you do. I like to offer a meal of just veggies once in awhile, when I know he's hungry. I also mix in vegetables I know he likes (peas) with ones he doesn't (asparagus). If he has to pick through the mix, he's more likely to try the variety than if everything is separated out. I've also cut things into different shapes or smaller pieces to look more appealing. He is also much more likely to eat foods he's helped me cook. I (carefully) let him stand on a chair or hold or wear him so that he can help wash veggies in the sink, throw them into the pan and stir them. It helps get him familiar with what he's eating.

hollowstar |

how-can-i-get-my-toddler-to-eat-more-vegetables

My little girl is a picky eater. She would rather drink than eat. Its very flutering when I make dinner for us & she feeds it to the dogs. I'm not sure.how to get her to eat better.

Lflammond17 |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

I would maybe try one new fruit or veggie at every meal. make it appealing. like cutting it into shapes. or make it fun/a game! I lucked out and my son prefers fruits and veggies and meat. we started as soon as he was able to eat solids... we try new things. all the time! if all else fails hide them in like soups/stews or meatloaf, pasta sauce and things like that.

MamaDolly |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

My niece usually likes yogurt, so I checked a yogurt blog to see which ones also have vegetables incorporated. You could try this, or even better, place the veggies in a simple yogurt for children. He will barely know the difference.

GaleChandler |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

When my daughter was born I vowed I would start her on a healthy diet so she would get used to it. I kept giving her fruits and veggies but just in different stages (purée- chunks-whole pieces). She didn't have to get used to the flavor because she had been having them since 6 months. She's now 20 months old and had never had processed meat, candy, soda, or any other junk food bc I simply just didn't give them to her. She was completely content eating what her and my husband eat (meat, starch, vegetables) for dinner. Se loves fruit, eggs, oatmeal, any vegetable, pastas, soy cheeses and milk (lactose intolerant), meat, and whole grain snacks). When you don't introduce junk foods to your child they won't. Know what they are and have the option to pick them over the healthy foods.

Heathershorty |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

Try smoothies. We make them for my son and he loves them!

missygoetz |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

We have kind of fallen out of the practice of eating fruit and veg, i remember when i was young there was always a fruit bowl on the kitchen table and every dinner come with veg. [URL=http://www.escortway.com/escort-girl-p1-533.html]being young is great[/URL]

sera1aaa |

How can I get my toddler to eat more vegetables?

Hello, my name is Rose, and I am a research assistant working on a project with Dr. Yasmine Kalkstein, a psychology professor at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY. We are interested in how women make decisions related to childbirth. We are particularly, with this project, looking for women who are CURRENTLY pregnant whose last pregnancy resulted in a C-SECTION. If this fits your description, consider helping us out by taking an online survey. You will be entered for a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card. Go to www.facebook.com/BirthChoiceSurvey Thanks!

rwhy |