How do I get my 6-year-old to eat her vegetables?

Question

She used to do better, but lately she's gotten picky. She gags, cries genuine tears, and acts like she's about to heave. You'd think we were feeding her burnt raw sewage instead of broccoli, tomatoes, or squash.

Answer 1

My kids ate all kinds of vegetables when they could put ranch dressing on them. And they would eat a big plate of raw veggies while they watched TV if we gave them ranch dressing as a dip.

If your daughter does not like a particular vegetable, ask her to try just a bite with ranch dressing. And let her fill up on other veggies she does like until she gets over this phase.

Or you could try "reverse psychology" DON'T give her any of the vegetables that you are eating and just give her some that she likes. Comment to each other how good it is, but don't overdo it. If she asks to try some, tell her it is just for grownups and she can have some when she is older. ;) Then --"give in" and tell her she can have just one bite but that is all.

I don't know too many kids that age who don't think they are "big kids"

Since she is getting attention by refusing the vegetables, don't give her a chance to refuse. Don't put them on her plate. Give her raw veggies as a snack ( make sure you eat some too as a good example!)

Answer 2

Hide them in other foods....like if you make sausage rolls...blend some squash or whatever into it too...

Or...colour her veggies...like make the mashed potato her favourite colour...if there is a veggie she does eat..then just add a little extra to her plate

Other than that...don't worry about it too much...all kids hate veggies at some stage....we were told by a childrens doctor to just put my daughter onto a kids vitamin, and ride out the phase...but the next day- she decided she'd eat some of them...and now her favourite is broccoli- and she'll even eat brussel sprouts! Good luck!

Answer 3

My 4 and 6 year olds are picky eaters too. I have found it helpful to allow them to make their own salad. I cut everything up ahead of time and let them build their salad with the vegtables they are willing to try. I also have crutons and cheese available to add to the variety. You can try introducing some new vegies like cucumber and yellow pepper. Some vegies just taste better raw and I find they are usually more willing to try vegies when there is dip involved. If they don't like the vegetable they are trying, I don't make it an issue and I praise them for trying it. Young kids are famous for power struggles, and choosing not to eat something is one thing they have control over.
Hopefully its just a phase. A multi vitamin probably would not hurt until she is eating a little better.

Answer 4

Start off by setting a good example by eating a nutritious diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Then, simply use your imagination. Try chopping up veggies (such as carrots or zucchini) and putting them in foods like muffins or pancakes. You can also try dressing up veggies with something she enjoys — add cheese to broccoli, for example, or peanut butter to celery, or have her dip veggie sticks in yogurt. Sometimes, all it takes is a fun arrangement to get kids eating. Make up a plate of mini foods (baby carrots, baby corn, cherry tomatoes, etc.) or make a face out of vegetables, complete with peas for eyes, a carrot for the nose, and sprouts for hair.

Answer 5

My reaction to this day would be like that if you were feeding me cooked veggies, with few exceptions like corn, potato or turnip. I can't stand the texture. My mom use to blend veggies into other things, purreed veggies into spaghetti sauce, mashed parsnips into my potato, FINELY chopped anything into a casserole. Chick peas into my peanut butter, purreed things into chile... the list goes on. Finely she just conceded to give me raw veggies on my plate, I'd eat them and ask for more.

Also remember that children have a MUCH better sense of taste than adults, that is why most kids typically hate things like broccoli, brussel sprouts and spinach. The taste is just SOOO strong! Even the smell.

Oh yes, and the point above is valid. My mom use to make me eat apples and carrots even though I complained it always got stuck in my throat. She told me to chew better. She was riddled with guild when we found out I was having allergic reactions and my throat was actually closing off.

Answer 6

It is amazing how dramatic kids can get over vegetables, isn't it? Try having a "taste test". Take her to the grocery store and let her pick something she would like to try. Check out cookbooks for recipes containing vegetables, and allow her to pick one that sounds interesting and make it together. I am not above running veggies through a food processor and "hiding" them in other dishes. We allowed our son to break his green beans into teeny pieces and swallow them whole. We also tried V-8 juice - he loves ketchup on everything, so we introduced it as "ketchup juice" - sounds disgusting, but it works :) They usually grow out of it.

Answer 7

Let the broccoli become trees, cherry tomato's become beach balls, cut squash with flower shaped cookie cutters add a green bean for a stem and let her eat the picture. or put it on her plate and say nothing .

Answer 8

Don't make her eat them. Tell her she can leave the table. Do not allow her to eat anything else for the rest of the day/evening. Let her go to bed hungry if necessary...I'll bet she eats her veggies the next time dinner rolls around.

Answer 9

Be creative....mix them in other dishes so that so will not know they are there....make cauliflower mashed potatos! Use veggie dip, make faces or objects out of the,vegetables....give her more of what she will eat....my 4 year old loves salads...so that is what I give him. I am pretty fortunate that he loves and will eat ANYTHING. My suggestion is to look in Family Fun or Parenting magazines....they usually address this concern and give great ideas. Good luck!

Answer 10

1.well i myself hate tomatoes and squash but when i was little my mom told me i was eating trees(brocolli)

2. reward her for things she eats and slowly take it away from her as she grows to be 7 and 8 most likely before 7