Any ideas for veggies for toddlers?

Question

My DD is 18 months and use to LOVE her veggies, but lately she only wants to eat her chicken or meat, she will take her veggies if they are mashed with potato and baked/boiled potatoes is her favorite veggie, but of course I want her to eat brocoli, carrots and all sorts of veggies, any ideas? and by the way is it bad that she eats so many potatoes (they are not fry)?

Answer 1

I am taking a totally different approach on this from everyone else ... just let her be don't try to force anything on her. Kids go in and out of phases where they love everything to they hate everything and it can vary from hour to hour which can be frustrating but also normal. My two kids are GREAT eaters, my son is 3 and my daughter 19 months, but they weren't always that way. My goal is for 3 meals a day I provide them with a protein, carb, veggie and fruit. They do not have to eat everything on their plates but I do encourage them to try a bite of everything. What I don't recommend is cooking their foods in butter or adding honey or anything else that takes away from the nutritional value and adds fat and sweeteners- you don't want to over stimulate their taste buds and making it so they want everything sweetened or salted. You can do the fun things with the food like saying broccoli looks like a tree and maybe she will try it. I have also seen a recipe for ranch dip made with yogurt although this might not sound tasty to us kids love it. You can offer carrots sticks, sliced cucumber, broccoli and whatever else you like along with ranch made with yogurt she may enjoy the dipping. If not I would just continue to offer it with every meal and model good eating habits. When she sees you are eating the same things that are on her plate she will be more inclined to eat them too.

Potatoes aren't bad for you, they just don't pack a whole lot of nutritional value. I wouldn't give her potatoes more than 1-2 times a week and possibly substitute it with sweet potatoes which are pack with lots of vitamins. I would offer her a variety of veggies at her next meal along with her favorite meat and no potatoes; if there is something she likes better on the plate she will be less likely to try something new. Someone had suggested offering the veggies first when she is most hungry, I think that is a good idea I use to do that with my son I would give him a veggie he used to love but was no longer eating. Also continue to give her lots of different fruits that will help her get all her vitamins and minerals.

Remember kids get their nutritional needs over a week not a day so if she eats great one day but not the next she is doing fine, kids will not go hungry. If you continue to offer healthy choices she will be fine. Next month you will be asking us why she won't eat any meat (my son did that for months) and only eats fruits and veggies :)!

I have to admit spaghetti is a good place to sneak things in if you are really worried she's not getting enough. You must be very careful about "sneaking" food in because they can learn to distrust you if they find out.


GOOD LUCK... Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Try giving her the veggies first, when she is the hungriest, then give her the rest of her meal. Sweet potatoes have many more vitamins that white potatoes, I think they taste better too... maybe she'll eat them. You can always put veggies in spagetti sauce and things like that. My sister puts grated carrots in her spag sauce and you'd never know they are there. I know it's not a good idea to hide veggies, or they will get in the habit of not eating them. I would just be persistant. Maybe bring steamed veggies instead of cheerios and other snacks when you go on outings. If she's hungry enough she'll eat them. God Bless

Answer 3

Try making mashed cauliflower.You puree cauliflower and add milk or heavy cream.you can season it lightly if you like,or add ranch dressing.The south beach diet has the recipe for this.Or try mixing it with the mash potato.I also add a small jar of first stage baby food to scrambled eggs.The broccoli can be finely chopped and added to tomato sauce.You can also use grated zuccini in the sauce.And homemade tomato sauce also counts as veggies.Try shredding carrots and adding to meatloaf or burgers........NOTFROMAROUN you have some great ideas! I'm going to try them myself!

Answer 4

My son loves corn on the cob, you could also try sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot etc cut like chips and bake it in the oven. This works for my nephew who is a very fussy eater.

Answer 5

last night for dinner i made honey glazed carrots (cook carrots or canned- heat with butter and honey to taste) and zucchini fries - baked

the zucchini fries i expected my toddler to NOT like- but she surprised me!

cut zucchini into french fry like pieces and dip in melted margarine or olive oil

put cracker crumbs (or i used italian bread crumbs cuz its what i had) and parmesean cheese into a zipper bag- add some seasonings if u like- zucchini needs lots of salt!

shake off excess margarine and drop zucchini into bag with crumbs and toss...

put onto a greased (with butter or olive oil) cookie sheet and bake at 400 for about 20 minutes or until they start to brown

also- my mom used to make pot roast with potatoes and carrots baked in with it... i would NEVER eat my veggies until she started making them into a flower on my plate... she mashed the taters and carrots up with some broth from the meat and made it into a daisy with the meat for the stem (it worked- love it to this day... and i still eat my taters and carrots mashed up with broth!)

if all else fails- puree the fresh veggies and add some worchestire sauce and seasonings... use to top the meat as she eats it or as you cook it

there's more than one way to "skin a cat"!

susan

Answer 6

If she likes French fries try carrots fries (baked not really fried). Or if she likes chips try sweet potato chips (i think i saw a recipe for these from weight watchers) Have her help in getting foods ready obviously she can't cook or chop but she can get them out of the fridge or pick them out at the store. My kids love to dip so I let them dip their veggies in salsa or low fat dressing. Get her involved. try these sites.
http://www.aces.edu/dept/extcomm/specialty/march8h02_nutr.html

http://www.thefamilycorner.com/forums/showthread.php3?mode=hybrid&t=3386

http://www.5aday.com/html/recipes/rt_kids.php

http://parenting.ivillage.com/mom/kitchen/0,,9k8m,00.html

Answer 7

The way I get my 2 year old to eat his veggies is to give him something to dip them in.. (usually ranch dressing) but sometimes peanut butter (careful choking hazard) .. Anyway he loves to have dip and will eat most anything if HE can dip it..

Answer 8

My son loves peas, carrots, and corn. Let her choose a vege, then she will be more likely to eat it.

Answer 9

Toddlers seem to love dipping things in ranch adn ketchup from what I understand.Celery is tasty/Ranch is tasty.Potatoes are tasty /Ketchup is tasty.

Answer 10

try some fun stuff like ants on a log (celery with Pb and raisons) here is a good website for kid freindly food http://www.recipegoldmine.com/childrecipe/childrecipe.html