How to Get Kids to Eat Vegetables

Parents have always fought their kids on eating vegetables. Heck, odds are our parents probably fought us, too, even those of us who eat them every day now. It's almost a rite of passage for kids to undergo, the one trial every kid has to undertake. Take heart, though, because there aren't many adults who don't eat vegetables, which means parents are the overall winners. It's the battle that's tough. Here are a few ideas to make getting your kids to eat their veggies a little less traumatic for you both.

1. Let them pick. It may be that they just don't like the choices they're given. This also makes it seem less like force feeding, and makes them feel a little more empowered - and more likely to at least try it. And every parent knows - trying it means half the battle is won.

2. Offer rewards. It's not bribery if it's for the child's overall good. Set up a rewards chart with ten boxes. Tell the child that every time they taste a new food, they get to mark off a box. When all ten boxes are filled, they get to do something really special (pick something they REALLY want). After they master trying the veggies, then progress to eating a few, then cleaning the plate. This method really works if you use the right reward. And follow through on it - no matter what. If you don't follow through, you lose effectiveness.

3. Put something cool on them. Cheese on broccoli may make it more appealing if the kid is on the fence. Brown sugar on sweet potatoes may entice a child to take a bite if they're considering. You can cut out the bad stuff once they figure out the vegetable isn't evil. Convincing them to take the first bite is all the addition does.

4. Mix them in. For instance, if the child likes mac and cheese, put a few peas in. It may take some rewards and haggling (see #2), but it may just work to get them to eat those greens.

5. Hide them. If you're desperate, make like Mrs. Seinfeld and mix them in brownies. Some kids just absolutely won't budge on the veggie war - at least for now. If that's the case, and no other suggestions work, just give them spinach in their dessert. They'll thank you later.

6. Talk to your parents. Ask them what worked to make you eat your veggies. You'll never believe how creative your mom and dad were to sneak those things in! On the same note, you may want to start taking notes yourself, so you can pass along some notes to your kids when the grandbabies aren't budging on eating the vegetables!