Preschooler & Eating Veggies

I'm sure this has been asked before but I can't find a similar thread.

DS is almost 4 and REFUSES to eat veggies. I use dessert and fun activities as bribes. Still nothing. He will often go to bed without eating very much at dinner because he wants chicken nuggets every night and I refuse to cave.

I'm just very frustrated especially when I see other kids his age eating better / healthier. I don't give him junk food; occasionally animal crackers or goldfish.

Any advice is appreciated.



ETA:

Thanks for all your advice, ladies. Tonight, I laid down the law. TV and computer were turned off until he had his dinner. After a while, he gave in. He's hoping tomorrow night is easier.

Message edited 3/3/2014 6:47:36 PM.

Re: Preschooler & Eating Veggies

Try all veggies.
DS loves spinach, kale & broccoli.
He used to love brussel sprouts.
Sweet potato & corn are weekly staples.
You could sneak them in ravioli... But I find it easier to give veggies first and not force... And after even just a taste, the main course.

Re: Preschooler & Eating Veggies

I feed my daughter (3.5 years old) 3-4 servings of veggies a day... when she's watching TV They say kids shouldn't eat in front of the tv because they'll eat too much, mindless eating, blah blah blah.... I use that time to give her peas, sweet potato bites, steamed carrots, corn, etc. She noshes while enjoying her fave shows and is none the wiser

Re: Preschooler & Eating Veggies

Posted by melbalalala

I feed my daughter (3.5 years old) 3-4 servings of veggies a day... when she's watching TV They say kids shouldn't eat in front of the tv because they'll eat too much, mindless eating, blah blah blah.... I use that time to give her peas, sweet potato bites, steamed carrots, corn, etc. She noshes while enjoying her fave shows and is none the wiser

Re: Preschooler & Eating Veggies

I think it depends on the child and even then the child can like it one day and then hate it the next. My DS told me he hates chocolate pudding the other day.

I think the best thing is to find what your kid likes so you can disguise the veggie. For example, if I roast/Bake carrots & green beans in salt, pepper, maple syrup and butter, he is all over them.

Ive gotten him to eat Asparagus wrapped in turkey bacon because he loves bacon. Corn warmed with butter and salt. Cream spinach, broccoli with butter or cheese. Stir fry with veggies and broccoli.

I try to mask the veggies. Does your DS like condiments? Cause my DS wont eat the organic baby carrots alone but if I serve with ranch dipping sauce he's all over it. I also serve apples with sugar free Caramel packs I found at Walmart/Target.

Preschooler & Eating Veggies

My kids pretty much only eat raw veggies... broc, carrots, cauliflower, pea pods. They prefer it with hummus.
My younger one will also eat soup with veggies.

Preschooler & Eating Veggies

My dd is only 15 months but I mix frozen spinach into a lot of things, like pasta sauce or Mac and cheese

Re: Preschooler & Eating Veggies

My son will not fall for any disguising or anything of that nature. I use purees in applesauce. He likes the peter rabbit organics. I mix it with cinammon apple sauce. I also mix purees into his burgers(hes a fanatic about burgers) Besides for that I give him vitamins and probiotics and hope he will be better one day. He ate veggies until about 3 and then that was it.

Re: Preschooler & Eating Veggies

I can assure you that nobody has died from not eating veges.
I am living proof!

Re: Preschooler & Eating Veggies

The ONLY place my children eat veggies is at daycare -

I am told they try everything, and almost always EAT everything as well -

At home, thye're on the ltd. toddler diet - but at school .........they eat everything.

no matter how I try to hide it, they always find it, pick it out, refuse to eat it etc -

Message edited 3/3/2014 2:38:55 PM.

Re: Preschooler & Eating Veggies

DS1 barely eats vegetables. My one rule is that he needs to try things. If he doesn't like it, that's ok, but he needs to take one bite. He will sometimes eat raw vegetables with dip. He'll also eat them if they're in a soup or stew.