How do i get people around me, especially my brother, to eat vegetables?

Question

Im 14 and i loooove vegetables, i dont understand why people dont. But a lot of my friends don't, and they get annoyed when i wince at their veggie less meals. My older brother gets ultra annoyed when i tell him to eat veggies, he only eats stuff like creamed spinach but not much salad. He is a person who hates being told what to do, he is 18, 4 years older than me and he gets even more aggravated when i nag his girlfriend, who eats like only carbs, its unhealthy. He doesnt eat enough yogurt and fruit either, i cant rememeber the last time he picked up a fruit except maybe a banana. He makes the most ridiculous argument in the world that lettuce is just crunchy water so therefore he shouldn't eat it (well i know iceberg is but romaine isnt) and that apples were just crunchy water with sugar (how dumb is that? and hes going to college!) He also is firmly against organic foods and insists that hormones and pesticides have no side affects, which is debatable on either side.

Answer 1

Do you cook for any of these people? You could try sneaking it into a meal. They may never know.

Or try to find veggies that most everyone likes, or ones that your friends and family have never tried before. They may find they love it.

The more you nag, the less people are inclined to do what you are asking or telling. You just have to find other ways to get them to eat healthy.

Think, be creative and don't give up.

You are so right about fruits and veggies and it is commendable that you care so much about your family's health.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

I think you should just leave everyone else alone. I know as a caring person you want your loved ones to be healthy but the more you push the more they will refuse. I know I don't want some kid telling me what to do. The best thing for you in my opinion is to live your life the way you want and let others do the same. You can be patient and over time make different dishes that they can "try". Without being pushy they might find out they like more things that they thought. One more idea comes to mind. Try making something and putting a label on it that it is yours and for everyone else to keep their hands off. They might eat your veggies just to spite you since your getting on their nerves.

Answer 3

try buying smoothie drinks that contain vegetables, or getting them to eat soups and stews. I don't believe you have to get them to eat lettuce, even romain isn't containing too many vitamins. The next time your friends envite you over for dinner offer to bring a dish, tell them you make the best candied carrots, or something like that and they will probably be pleased to have the help. Oh and nagging people will get you nowhere, try offering vegetables as a snack and if they don't go for it then that is their problem at least you are healthy right? They'll regret it later and that's their problem.

Answer 4

Try cooking vegetable in a casserole, my mom make the best broccoli casserole and green bean casserole. Once they are exposed to different vegetables they might find out they like them. I got my daughter to eat broccoli and cauliflower by putting cheese whiz (squeeze cheese) on it. Also, why not a pasta salad with broccoli, carrots, etc., chopped up and thrown in with some garlic cheese Italian dressing. If you make fruits into a form of desert sometimes they will give it a try. My daughter likes juice (tropical V8 splash is her favorite) , but bananas and strawberries are the only fruits she will eat.

Answer 5

I know you love your brother so your concern is understandable but did you ever stop to think you could do something about his veggi problem without him knowing? How about spaghetti sauce with mushrooms, green peppers, onions and carrots all blended together (in a blender) before they are added to the sauce? OR you could make a meat loaf with the same ingredients whirred together and put in the meatloaf? OR you could make a Hamburger pattie with 'onions, mushrooms' chopped find and added to the meat before you shape it into a pattie? See there are a lot of ways to get someone to eat sensibly so have at it.
Good luck.

Answer 6

He is lucky he is young enough to really turn things around. He just needs something to either motivate or scare him. Shockingly enough, kidney stones are more common in young people than middle aged or elderly people. Try to convince him that it's not all downhill and that he should take pride in his body and health. I don't know his personality though but try to be positive about a life change.

Answer 7

I spent a good many years quietly sneaking good food into my 3 sons. I found the easiest way to get vegetables into them was to stir fry them. With a bit of soy sauce for flavouring, they would eat just about anything that was cut up small, so they didn't recognize it. With fried rice, egg rolls and meat, they had quite a substantial meal.

Casseroles are good, you can get a lot of veggies in them. Dishes made with beans (chili, baked beans, etc.) Soups are great for using all kinds of veggies, as well as barley and rice. I'm sure you can think of plenty more!

By the way, those guys are now fathers themselves. And they range from 6'2" to 6'6", so the veggies didn't hurt them a bit! Much easier to tempt them with good food than to argue.

Answer 8

I know this isn't the healthiest choice, but it does get my kids eating green foods. I add cheese or make casseroles (green bean, asparagus, and squash) They love veggies now.

Answer 9

For God sakes, why do people like you need to convert everyone else? Can't you just let other people be? You don't need others to eat what you think is right in order to follow your own guidelines.

Stop being so controlling and practice tolerance and acceptance.

Answer 10

you cant force anyone to eat vegetables unless they are a little kid. i was never forced to eat vegetables or anything i didn't like and now i can't stand them or i'll throw up. wish my parents would have made me eat them. they are nasty anyway you don't *need* them. i'm being told all the time that i'm unhealthy by people who are 20-100 lbs overweight its kind of annoying ;p i eat mostly pasta and grains / fast food