Children
<p><b>Tips for getting kids to eat vegetables</b></p>
<p>Vegetables don't have the best reputation with kids. But their importance can't be overstated! Kids need veggies for essential nutrients.</p>
<p>Vegetables provide energy, vitamins, antioxidants, fibre and water. They help protect them from chronic diseases later in life. These include heart disease, stroke and some cancers.</p>
<p>If your child finds it hard to eat enough vegetables, keep encouraging them so they can adopt healthy habits.</p>
<p><b>Be consistent</b></p>
<p>Include fruits and vegetables as snacks after every lunch and supper. Offer a variety of vegetables and make sure they have healthy choices. This will encourage them to try new types with ease over time.</p>
<p><b>Let your kid choose their veggies</b></p>
<p>Discuss meal plans with your child, and the next time you’re out on a grocery run, bring them along and let them pick out a vegetable they want to try. Involving them can help give them a sense of control, which in turn, promotes healthy eating.</p>
<p><b>Serve vegetables your child enjoys</b></p>
<p>Truth is, our palates are not the same, this goes for children too. Some vegetables taste better to kids than others. Vegetables that often taste best to kids are those that have a slightly sweet or nutty taste, like carrots, butternut, squash or bell peppers.</p>
<p><b>Make veggies fun</b></p>
<p>Offer a taste test with a variety of vegetables cut in different shapes like stars or hearts paired with dips. Serve low-fat Greek yoghurt or hummus of their choice to encourage your child to try a new vegetable.</p>
<p><b>Keep it familiar</b></p>
<p>Keep vegetables "familiar" by pairing new options with favourite meals or mixing them:</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Pair veggies with favourite toppings, like cheese on broccoli or potato bake.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Puree a vegetable for a healthy sauce or soup.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Add chopped vegetables to soups and stews.</p>
<p><b>Good to know</b></p>
<p>One of the best ways to encourage your child to eat vegetables is to model good eating habits. As a household, get your kids excited about vegetables by planting a garden in the backyard. Head to a local nursery, pick out seeds and map out a backyard garden together. Here’s to happy nutritious eating!</p>
