Wouldn’t it be great if kids would be as enthusiastic about eating healthy as we are? If the sight of veggies (especially green ones) makes your child cringe, it’s first and foremost because of their pronounced flavour and lack of sweetness.
Keep in mind that kids are generally not very fond of bitter foods. It’s also normal for them to be more reluctant towards certain foods around the age of two, which can make dinnertime more complicated for mom and dad. Plus, some kids get turned off by the smell of certain foods, making them less likely to actually eat them.
Perseverance is (scientifically) proven to help!
In 2013, English researchers studied a group of 332 children between four months and four years old. They offered them something none of them had ever tried before: pureed artichokes. At the time, 70% of the children found this to be “yucky,” but nonetheless, 20% of them still cleared their plate. According to the study, 16% of the children all-out refused to eat. But what really impressed the scientists was that after several trials (five to ten, to be exact), 40% of the kids learned to like pureed artichokes.
The conclusion of this study can be summarized in three words: patience, repetition, and anticipation. Here’s how to apply these three concepts to dinnertime.
Patience
Peas, green beans, and (surprisingly!) broccoli are favourites among kids. For other veggies, however, it’s a little more complicated. By upping the presentation or adding sauce, cheese, or another food they love to the dish, you increase the odds of your child eating the food in question. For example, mushrooms and leek can easily be added to a ham quiche. You can also add zucchini and parsley to your omelette. The goal isn’t to hide the veggies, but rather to teach your kids that they can be delicious.
Repetition
All food experts agree: you need to introduce a food several times before kids learn to like it. The new food should be presented in various forms. And most importantly, avoid putting pressure on your child. Insisting too much instils a sense of fear at the table, which will only make things harder for you. The best thing to do is set the example by eagerly eating the food yourself, throwing in a few positive reactions to boot. Think goodwill and perseverance, and learn to let things go. It’s an art, really!
Anticipation
No one knows your child better than you, their parent. If your child is tired and irritable, there’s no sense giving them Brussels sprouts, a veggie they probably aren’t too fond of. Timing matters when it comes to reintroducing a green that was once rejected. Another way to counter kids’ attitude toward greens? Bring them with you to the grocery store. In all the excitement of shopping, they might end up choosing kale as their side of veggie tonight. Coat the kale with oil and salt it slightly, and cook each leaf individually on the grill; this veggie will suddenly become (almost) as appetizing as a bowl of chips!