Children do not eat vegetables what to do?
Children do not eat vegetables??? Problems causing headaches for mothers. Because we all know that vegetables and fruits contain many groups of substances that are beneficial to everyone, especially the elderly and children. However, this bland dish is often unpopular with children. So how do children cooperate to tolerate this type of food? Follow the article below of Brighton!
Children do not eat vegetables what to do?
Green vegetables contribute to providing energy for children and fighting chronic diseases later on. Most children are lazy to eat vegetables because they do not like the bitter or sour taste of vegetables. The best way to help children eat more vegetables is for parents to eat vegetables and set a good example for their children.
1. How important is it for children to eat vegetables?
Vegetables are a source of energy, a variety of vitamins, and are rich in fiber and a lot of water. They help protect your child against chronic conditions that may arise later in life, including heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. Therefore, a diet rich in vegetables and a variety of foods from other major food groups is good for children’s health.
Pediatric nutritionists have recommended that children of each age eat the following amount of vegetables each day:
1-2 years old should have 2 servings of vegetables per day;
2-3 years old should have 2 to 3 servings of vegetables per day;
4-8 years old should have enough vegetables in each meal.
If your child is not eating enough vegetables, parents need to continue to encourage them. If parents help children develop healthy eating habits now with a variety of green vegetables, children will establish sustainable habits for life later.
2. So why are children lazy to eat vegetables?
Here are some explanations for babies not eating vegetables:
Fear of food: Green vegetables are very diverse. Babies not eating vegetables are often due to fear of new or unknown foods, also known as food phobia, a natural behavior commonly seen in toddlers, and this behavior peaks when children are 2 to 5 years old. 6-year-old. Moreover, at this age, children are gradually taking initiative in their independence in choosing food according to their taste. Therefore, the combination of these two factors often leads to a “fight” during dinner time between parents and children.
Unmistakable taste: One reason why children don’t eat vegetables is most likely because the taste of vegetables is very bitter. The basis of the bitter taste in vegetables is the elemental composition of calcium and natural phytonutrients. Phytonutrients is an umbrella term that refers to phenols and polyphenols of plant origin, flavonoids, isoflavones, terpenes, and glucosinolates as well as self-protective chemical constituents of plants. The importance of phytonutrients and their benefits also has implications for human health.
Get used to it: As mentioned, people often have an innate aversion to sour and bitter foods, so why do people still eat and enjoy broccoli and kale when they grow up? , lemons, oranges, and the like? Is this because human taste buds have changed during development? The answer is no. That’s because as time went on, people started to like these sour and bitter foods. It will indeed be difficult to eat a vegetable the first time, especially if it does not have a pleasant taste. But if exposed many times, the taste will get used to it.
Children do not eat vegetables often for the above reasons. Therefore, children will usually need at least 10 to 15 exposures (repeatedly) to a new food before actually accepting it.
3. Baby doesn’t eat vegetables, what should mom do?
1. Parents need to set an example when children are lazy to eat vegetables
Children will learn about food choices from their parents. Therefore, the best way to encourage children to eat vegetables is to let them see their parents choose their menu of vegetables and enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
Because family meals are a good time to teach kids about healthy eating, including vegetables. Common household dishes such as stir-fries, soups, curries, grilled meats, and pasta all taste great with more vegetables. A bowl of fresh salad on the side is also a quick and delicious option for a snack.
If children see their parents and siblings filling their plates with greens to enjoy, they may want to do the same.
2. Patiently introduce vegetables to children
It is normal for children to dislike certain vegetables when they first taste them. As such, if your child doesn’t like a particular vegetable, try offering him a small amount of that vegetable along with another healthy food he enjoys. Also, encourage your child to try and taste different vegetables.
After many repetitions, children may change their opinion about vegetables. Some children need to try a new food 10 times before they accept it and 10 more times before they decide to like it.
3. Use praise when your child eats vegetables
If parents praise children every time they eat or try vegetables, children will be more likely to eat vegetables again. Praise works best when parents tell their children exactly what they did well. However, it is important to remember that the goal is to encourage children to eat vegetables because they like them, not because they want their parents to praise them and receive rewards.
In contrast, punishment or scolding if a child does not eat vegetables can turn vegetables into a negative dish for children. So, if the child is lazy to eat vegetables at this meal, do not scold or hit the child but try again another time.
4. Create conditions for children to participate in cooking with vegetables
When children are involved in their parents’ cooking, from the step of choosing foods to prepare and preparing family dishes with green vegetables, children will feel more interested in enjoying their achievements.
For example, a parent can let their child:
- Choose vegetables for meals when shopping
- Put the prepared vegetables in a pot or pan for processing
- Arrange bell peppers, tomatoes, and sliced mushrooms on a pizza base
- Wash and grate the lettuce leaves.
- Older children can help with chopping or chopping vegetables when parents feel they can safely handle sharper kitchen utensils.
5. Choose vegetables as a snack
Vegetables can turn into a great snack. If parents stock up on vegetables for snacks and limit unhealthy snacks in the home, children are more likely to choose vegetables when hungry.
Here are some ways to prepare vegetable snacks:
- Keep a box of chopped vegetables, such as cucumbers, carrots, or bell peppers in the refrigerator for your child to eat when they like.
- Feed older children frozen peas, but be aware that they may pose a choking hazard to younger children.
- Serve colorful veggie sticks with dips, like natural yogurt, cheese, or wholemeal bread
6. Find a variety of vegetables with a variety of flavors
Parents should create conditions for children to learn about a variety of vegetables, children will easily find which ones they are interested in. If parents prepare new vegetables with foods that the child likes, the whole focus of the meal is not on the new vegetables, the child will be more receptive.
Remember that taste is important. For example, parents who cook vegetables with delicious ingredients and combinations of spices may be more attractive to children to eat than monotonous steamed vegetables.
In addition, parents can also play games for children to have fun with vegetables, especially with young children. Sometimes children may enjoy helping with simple things with vegetables such as picking vegetables, washing, or serving on a plate.
7. Regularly include vegetables in your child’s meals in different ways
In the short term, parents can “disguise” vegetables in the foods children often like to eat. For example, parents can feed their baby pureed or grated vegetables into pasta sauces or soups.
However, this will not change children’s behavior and thinking about vegetables in the long run, so it is important for parents to regularly feed their children vegetables in their original form. When parents do this, children will have the opportunity to identify their favorite type and will actively choose green vegetables for the next meal.
In short, when children do not eat vegetables, this will no longer be a challenge for parents if they know the above remedies. Always remember that each child’s meal is a new first experience, when regular family meals are full of a variety of vegetables with attractive colors and flavors, the situation of children who are lazy to eat vegetables will quickly improve.
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