Getting Kids to Eat Fruits & Vegetables

We all know fruits and vegetables are packed with minerals, vitamins, and fiber, but getting kids to eat fruits and vegetables is not an easy task for some of us. While healthy eating is critical to their health, most of us are just trying to make sure they eat a proper meal. Here are a few suggestions that have helped me to get my son to eat fruits and vegetables.

I know, getting kids to eat fruits & vegetables is tough, but it’s worth it. If possible, start in their early years.

Did you know that 5-9 daily servings of fruits and vegetables are recommended? Many of us don’t eat enough because it requires too much prep time. I know, I’m guilty. So my first tip below is to about preparing ahead of time. I can’t tell you to have much better. I feel at night knowing I have prep meals the night before. So, get your kids to eat fruits and vegetables with these suggestions.

Before you get going here, have your kids write down their top five fruits and vegetables that they like or are willing to try.

Prepare Fruits & Vegetables For The Week

Find some time to chop up fruits and vegetables into single serving-size packs for the week. It will save you prep time during your workdays, and healthy fruits and vegetables will be ready to go when you need them.

Be sure to use airtight containers, such as stainless steel containers and reusable pouches, and insulated cups for storing your prep foods. Not only are these spill-proof, but they are also great for preserving fresh foods longer and are waste-free products that you can use over and over.

Get Kids Involved In The Shopping Aspect

Take them grocery shopping with you and start by choosing their fruit and vegetables from the list they made. They will be more apt to eat what they have decided. Little by little, introduce them to other foods by showing them what else is available in the store’s produce section.

Also, let your kids be silly and make something fun from the top five fruits and vegetables they put on their list. Getting kids to eat fruits and vegetables when they look this cute won’t be a task at all!

Go Raw

Ideal raw vegetables are uncooked or steamed. Cooking changes or devalues the nutrients. However, I’m sure you only want to see your kids eating their fruits and vegetables any way they will, but eating raw is more detoxifying for the body. Chomp on a carrot!

Good vegetables to eat raw are broccoli, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, cauliflower, artichoke, carrots, celery, cabbage, and spinach. Others such as okra, root vegetables, fennel, potatoes, leeks, tubers, plantains, squash, rhubarb, eggplant, and asparagus need some steaming.

Swap Out Sweets For Fruit

If you have a sweet tooth, challenge yourself and your kids with seasonal fruits (to eat in season), which are usually incredibly juicy and satisfying. Sweet apples, cherries, grapes, cantaloupes, mangos, pears, raisins, kiwis, tangerines, watermelons, plums, nectarines, peaches, apricots, oranges, honeydew are among the many choices available.

Lastly, leave canned fruits as the last option and avoid artificial flavors, syrups, added sugars, etc.

Keep Healthy Foods Handy (at eye level)

1. Keep pre-made healthy snacks at eye level (raw carrots & hummus, celery, & almond butter) in the refrigerator. I always place a bowl of washed blueberries or blackberries in the refrigerator. You can even put a bowl of fruit out on your kitchen counter and in the TV room.
2. Stock up on packaged salads for quick salad-time (add raisins, nuts, and veggies to spruce up the nutrients).
3. Make whole fruit smoothies with whole fruit, Greek yogurt, and chia seeds for an all-in-one drink.

I’m sure by now you can think of more healthy snacks that include fruits and vegetables to keep handy. Getting kids to eat fruits and vegetables isn’t all that bad. Good luck – you can do it!

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