I have three kids. Their ages are 2, 4, and 6 years old. Lately, I have been making them easy stuff that I know they will eat because I have migraines. I have realized that this is bad for them because they, like most children, don't like veggies. My husband and I have decided to make a dinner (meat, veggie, and fruit) and if they don't like it, then they can go hungry until breakfast the next morning. Who agrees with this? Is it better to let them eat cereal and pizza for dinner as long as they eat? I really want them to eat their veggies, but I am against forcing it. Should I offer the veggies and if they don't want them, then let them go hungry?
2006-07-24 06:29:23 · 10 answers · asked by cows4me79 4 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
A balanced diet is definately better than pizza or cereal. It is okay on occasion, but not every night. I agree with you about fixing dinner and if they dont eat it, they dont eat. If they are hungry they will eat. However, there might be something they truly dont like. Me, I dont like asparagus and I'm not eating it. You have to learn whether they truly dont like it, or if they are playing you to get want they want. My girlfriend has a 6 year old that tries this. We can tell if the really doesnt like it or if he is just saving room for a snack. That is one way we get him to eat. We tell him if he eats, after dinner he can have a snack, if he doesnt eat, guess what? No snack. If they dont like the veggie, offer them a different one. But dont give in and let them play you. You have to teach them to eat healthy. It will affect them as adults. Much of the country today is obese because of poor eating habits.
2006-07-24 06:38:25 · answer #1 · answered by tmills883 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
its hard to start something new with children. They would probably not be so picky if you from the start cooked a balanced dinner for them. Most kids wont eat something that they see their parents wont eat. Some ideas to hide veggies that I have used in the past are: mac and cheese with peas or broccoli in it. One of my kids favorites are steamed broccoli with pieces of bacon and Velveeta melted all over. Also have them make their own salads. Let them choose from a wide variety of veggies to put in it. Most kids will eat anything with ranch dressing on it. Keep up with it they will come around.
GOOD LUCK
2006-07-24 06:48:41 · answer #2 · answered by angel b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have this problem with my daughter, so here's what we do:
I don't necessarily force her to eat something that she doesn't like, but we do make her at least try it (even if it is something that she hasn't liked in the past, sometimes their preferences change). In the meantime, we try to keep healthy snacks in the house that still seem "fun"- like single serving applesauces, or string cheese. That way even if you can't get them to eat exactly what it is you have made, there is a fairly healthy alternative. I also try to sneak veggies into food, by chopping them and putting them in spaghetti sauce for example. Good luck, and if you keep trying they will eventually learn to like them, I promise! Just don't give up completely.
2006-07-24 06:42:10 · answer #3 · answered by chelle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My oldest son is like that. He only wants certain foods. I use to fix a separate meal for him. I finally got tired of it. I made a dinner and if he didn't like it....oh well. He eventually started eating and trying different things. It will take time and there will be complaints. It will be hard on you...be prepared for that. Hang in there. They are still young and will adjust. My oldest is now 20 and in the Army. He really appreciates my cooking now!! :-)
2006-07-24 06:36:05 · answer #4 · answered by greeneyes 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your children are a bit young to be missing meals...nutrition is very important at their ages...try preparing different fruits and veggies until you find something they will like...it may be visual presentation, it may be cooking them into something, or a different seasoning or adding cheese or any number of other things...
Junk food isn't appropriate at all, but neither is going without food...surely y'all can find at least a few things they will enjoy (try fresh and canned/frozen/packaged)...
Good luck!
2006-07-24 06:35:41 · answer #5 · answered by . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My parents had a rule. We had to eat one spoonful of everything. It allows the kids to try things. Things I didn't like at age 6, I sometimes liked at age 9.
I hate forcing people to eat things. But it is unfair to make you cook them separate meals.
2006-07-24 06:40:41 · answer #6 · answered by redunicorn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a wise way to go. My parents did that, and it made things so much easier for them. My aunt and uncle have done it the other way (seperate meals for everyone), and they end up eating a bunch of junk food out of the freezer (tv dinners, corn dogs, etc.).
2006-07-24 06:36:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My folks did. I did, too, and my kids ended up liking certain veggies (corn, peas, broccoli) so I fix the veggies that they like and we are all happy!
2006-07-24 06:33:12 · answer #8 · answered by emgee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try covering them with something they do like, like cheese
2006-07-24 06:37:17 · answer #9 · answered by musiclover 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
2006-07-24 09:11:58 · answer #10 · answered by howlettlogan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋