What to do with a two year old who will not touch anything that remotely looks like it may be a vegetable?

Question

I have tried children's recipe books, read the magazines, tried everything I can think of. He loves Vegimite sandwiches, milk and juice. Sausages and pies occasionally, chicken every now and again. He eats heaps of fruit, bananas, kiwi fruit, oranges, apples, pears, grapes, peaches, pretty much all types. He is healthy and happy, I would just like him to broaden his tastes and try some vegies!!! Does anyone have the answer? Or perhaps advice?

Answer 1

My 4 year old is a very picky girl! I always put veggies on her plate.What ever we are eating,she will have it on her plate. If she choses not to eat it..thats fine but put it there just in case she decides to try it. Also I say things like " Oh you will just love this! Your getting so big and trying new things all the time! Big kids eat this to make them strong!" Play on what he is interested in. Does he like race cars? Dump Trucks? Ext... Play on that,lie a little and say things like the drivers eat this to stay strong to drive those trucks! Phrase him for trying it! Try giving him a treat for trying the food. If he loves M&M's try telling him he can have 2 M&m's if he takes 2 bites and trys it. When you see his reaction to the food you will know if he really likes it or if he is just saying he likes it to get the treat. Then say something like "oh look!! you like it! I am so happy I made something you like to eat! That makes me so happy you like what I make for you!" Kids always want to make there mom's happy. Your phrase will want him to try more often. Also remember there mood, if he is crabby then it won't work..hahaha. My daughter refuses to eat and then is hungry 10 mins later and it pisses me off! So I tell her she can not watch cartoons until she eats. I don't make her eat everything on her plate but I want her to eat what I know she likes and try what she (says) she don't like. I make her MAKE an effort! If you give in every time... then learn..There are smarter then you think they are at that age! Don't give in,talk them into trying. Good luck!

Answer 2

I mix up vegetables ( generally carrots and peas), fruit, and fruit juice in a food processor and then pour the liquid into popsicle trays. She eats them and doesn't notice the difference because they're so cold. The cold numbs their taste buds. This trick works like a charm. Also, try giving dipping sauces for fresh veggies. My daughter will eat carrots with BBQ sauce or ranch dressing. She will also eat small amounts of veggies if we do cheers and make a big deal about it.

Answer 3

Puree them and mix it into things.

Spinach or something like it in spaghetti sauce (start using herbs in it first so he doesn't suspect).

Zucchini or carrots. Add it, pureed, to banana bread or fruit muffins (won't mess up the color, reduce the amount of pureed banana accordingly).

Cut up cauliflower VERY small and make mock macaroni and cheese from it, or mix it into regular mac and cheese little by little at first.

Try a fruit smoothie and add vegetables to it ... ones that don't have strong tastes, like cucumber.

But honestly, if he's eating fruit, meat, and bread, he's probably FINE. If you're really worried, take him to a nutritionist. They can analyze his normal diet and figure out what nutrients he isn't getting enough of, so that you know what foods would be good to introduce. But in the meantime, try hiding some vegetables like that.

Answer 4

I know how you feel, my three year old wont even taste a veggie. I have a friend who makes this awesome sauce where she adds all kinds of different veggies and uses an immersion blender to puree it all. You can add just about anything to it and then use it as pizza sauce, spaghetti or really any kind or sauce over pasta or whatever. They get the taste for it without the texture, it works my kids love it. If you are lazy like me just buy pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce and add the veggies like carrots and peppers, squash, etc and then puree it.

Answer 5

Perhaps if you took him to the grocery or a farmer's market on a special trip and let him choose any 2 or 3 vegetables he'd like to try?

Also, you can grate carrots and sneak them into almost any recipe without a child noticing ... Sneaky, but at least he's getting veg that way.

Good luck.

Answer 6

that is a very difficult question, you should communicate more beneficial heavily inclusive of her and merely see what she needs to do. If it does ensue again identity assume its a xmas fling yet you not in any respect recognize. it truly is unlike you observe her too many times so there'll no longer be a reason to ask yet you may see in case you do actual like her and not in any respect merely relatives inclusive of her. Seeing the position you 2 are with thoughts seems more beneficial significant than merely asking if she may opt for to be severe out of nowhere. Age will almost continuously be weird and wonderful, in spite of the undeniable fact that the sentiments count more beneficial and its no longer unlawful. merely would make you act too previous for her or her too youthful for you. So in case you do get alongside and rather like one yet another i do not see why you does no longer see what she needs and how she has felt. the in effortless words difficulty is it extremely is a lot to ask in a any such quick era of time.

Answer 7

just keep trying that is the best advice anyone can give you. he sounds like he eats pretty good though might try spicing up the veggies a bit put cheese sauce on his bean or something.
my 18 month wont eat any meat but chicken. eats lots of veggies and fruit and likes pasta but meat is a no go i just keep offering it to her.

Answer 8

I wouldn't worry about it. He sounds like he eats healthy in every other way.
If you are worried about the nutritional value of vegetables, see if you can get him on a multi-vitaman or let him drink Pedisure.

Answer 9

he will when he's ready. My kid at 2yrs old would only eat hot dogs or baloney drove me nutty. It got a lot better at 3yr's old doctor told me dont worry about it .

Answer 10

Turn it into a person or a shape. i got my kid to eat it if he could make something out of it. ants on a log or trees with dip. i hope it works out for you.