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How to Get your Kids to Eat their Veggies
How do you get your kids to eat what's good for them? Vegetables not only pack a lot of vitamins but also plenty of complex carbs that prevent the spiking of the blood sugar, and they keep them fuller longer. Sadly, veggies are a major miss in many kids' diets, and they need at least 3-5 servings a day. There are products on the market that include veggies in kids' favorites like mac & cheese or ravioli (Kidfresh, for example), but there are many other ways to create meals at home that include veggies and get your kids to eat them. Read on for 10 great tips on how to get your kids to eat their veggies.
Blend, Soup & Dip
Why is ketchup such a popular condiment with kids? It's sweet, it's salty, it's bright red and, most importantly, it's fun to dip. And kids LOVE to dip, all experts agree. If you are having trouble with your kids eating solid vegetables, then turn them into a terrific sauce or dip. I am not suggesting the French level of sauces (though why not if you have the time?), I am purely advocating for 3 simple steps. Step 1: Chop desired vegetables. Step 2: Add in the liquid (chicken or veggie stock, water, oil, etc.) and seasonings. Step 3: Blend. Toast some pita triangles and they will love the dip experience. Later on, try adding some simple veggies to dip in - carrots, celery, cauliflower florets are all good choices. Another way to get your veggies in a blended form is by turning them into a soup, which most kids love (it's liquid after all). Use the same 3 steps above, but cook your veggies first. Start with one vegetable soup, and once you see the vegetables your kids enjoy more, mix in a few varieties. "Add canned pumpkin or canned sweet potato puree (both high in fiber and loaded with vitamin A and other carotenoids) to soups, baked goods and pancakes," suggests Dr. Ann G. Kulze, M.D., nationally recognized nutrition expert, mother of 4, family physician and best-selling author. "I always add canned pumpkin to my corn bread! Sweet potato puree is yummy blended with plain or vanilla yogurt." Rachael Lipson, a mom of two young children, adds pureed veggies to tomato sauce, smoothies and mac & cheese.
If you're not in the mood for making your own, try hummus, any of the low-fat dressings (ranch, italian, thousand island), cream cheese, yogurt or nut butters.
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Indoor fun: what to do with your toddler when it rains (or snows)
While, hopefully, for many of us there will still be plenty of sunny days, bad weather should not be a deterrent for fun. My little active toddler was my inspiration to come up with a few fun activities and games indoors. Here are a few ideas.
Home Safari
Find a few toy animals around the house - dog, cat, bunny, dolphin - you can surely find a few of them around. Tell your toddler you are going on a safari to find all the animals. This requires a bit of quick preparation. Place the animals around the house and put pieces of masking tape on the way, so he can easily find them. Add a few distraction objects (shakers, maracas, balls, drums) for extra tasks in between and a few pillows on the floor to serve as obstacles he would surely love to climb over. Start on the course by following the masking tape to find the animals; tell him warm/hot/cold to help him find them. When you reach distraction objects, tell him to make noise (shake the maracas) to wake up the animals. This game will satisfy the curiosity of a little explorer and teach him cause and effect.
Music Box
Select a box that will hold a variety of musical instruments. These include old pots, pans, bowls, lids and spoons, along with more traditional baby drums, shakers, and bells. Add a few baby musical instruments, such as a guitar or a bongo drum, xylophone and anything else that would make some great noise. First, pick the music - it can be a style (country, rock, pop, Latin, etc.) or your favorite musician, or traditional baby music. Your toddler will love new sounds, as kids are traditionally drawn to music. So don't be afraid to play something other than Twinkle, Twinkle. You can sing and dance together. Then, tell your toddler about the rhythm and something interesting about the music you are listening to. Take the music box and play different instruments together in tune with the music. End your music time by singing a few of your favorite tunes together.
