Trying new veggies with your child
We all have great intentions when it comes to feeding our children nutritious meals. We understand what the right choice is and often, we find ourselves entering into a challenging power struggle with our little ones because they simply won’t follow suit. This ongoing power struggle between parents and children only makes things worse than they already are, and before you know it, everything is suddenly much more complicated, leading to frustration and chaos, and no one is actually eating the nutritious food you so thoughtfully prepared. You find yourself crying and feeling like a complete failure in your role as a parent. Sound familiar? I’ve been there too. To help improve this situation, try these practical and creative tips to spark your child’s curiosity for new types of produce while engaging in a fun and memorable experience with them. Try them today!
Engage them with questions related to their experiences. Ask, "What do you feel when biting into a radish?" They might say, "It tickles my nose!" Use this moment to explore together, savoring and experiencing each food's unique textures.
Make it a fun game by closing your eyes and picking something for the other person to taste. As you eat, describe the texture and flavor while your eyes are shut. This creates a fun bonding experience through food.
While preparing your vegetables, save the peels and ends to make a tasty broth. Use this chance to teach your child about reducing food waste and our responsibility to take care of the planet.
Let your child share a little broccoli stem with their puppy, explaining how it can be beneficial for both of them!
As you prepare a fresh salad, encourage your child to fold in the ingredients using appropriate child-safe knives, all while ensuring safety measures. Invite your child to chop the ingredients for the recipe, making them feel involved and responsible.
Remember to wash, dry, and cut your produce beforehand, especially because toddlers have a short attention span and often require more hands-on assistance. Doing some of the prep work before engaging in this playful time will reduce any stress and show your child that you are available for connection.
Allow your child to try the produce they select at their own pace, and refrain from imposing any rules. Let them explore and take bites from different parts of the vegetables without correction, encouraging their sense of adventure and discovery with food.
These meaningful moments of connection are essential for building strong family bonds. While doing so, you are also creating lifelong healthy habits for your children which is essential for their well-being and future. By introducing nutritious foods and encouraging physical activity, you are setting the foundation for a balanced lifestyle that can last a lifetime.
Setbacks will inevitably happen in the journey of parenthood, but it is important to not give up on the goal of providing your children with healthy and nutritious meals. It’s perfectly fine to take a moment for yourself, get some well-deserved rest, and simply try again tomorrow. Maintain a sense of calm during these challenging times, and if you ever feel the need to discuss the countless reasons you are not a failure, please feel free to reach out to me.
