Entice Your Children to Eat More Vegetables

As a parent, do you often become weary of repeating yourself? How many times over how many meals have you been repetitious with the phrase; "eat your vegetables"?

Maybe, just maybe it is not your children or you, but the vegetables that need some shaking up, some changing.

Ways to revamp vegetables #1

Color can do wonders to plain broccoli and/ or Brussels sprouts. Add some sliced red and yellow pepper to the mix as well as a sprinkle of black pepper or red pepper flakes.

Ways to revamp vegetables #2

In the mood for squash, but your children are notorious about not eating it? Sautee stale or almost stale bread (see there is no wasting of food) in a skillet with some olive oil and garlic. Toss over zucchini or roasted butternut squash. It looks completely different now.

Ways to revamp vegetables #3

Green beans not being enjoyed as a staple of any meal? Remember, they taste better crunchy not soggy and chewy. Still need a way to entice children to eat more green beans? Toss in some sliced toasted almonds.

Ways to revamp vegetables #4

Bacon, bacon, bacon. Slice up some turkey bacon and mix with spinach. Kids will be clamoring like Popeye in no time. Okay, maybe not, but at least they will eat spinach when it is served for dinner. In addition, spinach enchiladas are a great way to serve this vegetable as well.

Ways to revamp vegetables #5

Potatoes on the menu but all your children want is butter, sour cream, and cheese? Sprinkle some basil, oregano, and thyme over the potatoes. Offer only scallions and fat free ranch dressing as the "dressings" for the potatoes.

Ways to revamp vegetables #6

Frozen stir-fry vegetables are easy to make and inexpensive to purchase. Children are not always impressed with such things are they? Try whisking together some rice vinegar, soy sauce, and minced garlic and then pouring the mixture over the stir-fry veggies.

Ways to revamp vegetables #7

Toss in raisins or dried cranberries in with any green vegetable. It will look more appeasing, and young children can play the game of eating all the green to find different colors. You can add nuts as well.

Ways to revamp vegetables #8

Asparagus is good for us, but not everyone enjoys the taste. Start building that acquired taste early: chop up a hard-boiled egg over a bowl of asparagus and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Ways to revamp vegetables #9

Want to create your own sauce for veggies? Mix light mayonnaise with Dijon mustard, lemon juice (or lime) and some cayenne pepper. Pour over whatever vegetable is to be served with dinner. This will even go great with raw carrots as a snack.

Ways to revamp vegetables #10

Cheese is always a winner- simply opt for Swiss or mozzarella.

The great thing about these revamping ideas is that kids can help with most of these changes and additions. Let them help make vegetables better for all.