Green vegetables are vital in providing nutrients for your kids’ overall growth and development. Incorporating greens into your regular diet has been shown to benefit health significantly by improving blood circulation, lowering cholesterol and increasing immunity. Packed with vitamins A, B, E and K, they are rich in fibre and pose as an excellent source of calcium, iron and magnesium.

However, getting your kids to dig into their green vegetables has always been a struggle for parents. Negotiations at the table can be frustrating and tiresome, but with a few tips and tricks, your child can quickly develop a taste for the greens. Here’s how – 

 

• Add some zing to your greens – 

Learning a few tricks with spices and cooking methods can transform a bland pile of veggies into an enjoyable experience. 

For instance, sauté the greens with some olive oil, onion and garlic for some extra seasoning or toss raisins and nuts for additional flavour as well as colors.

 

• Set a good example for your kids

Because children tend to imitate everything around them, the best way to encourage your child to eat vegetables is to eat and enjoy them yourself.

Family meals are a good time to teach your kids about healthy eating habits. Leafy greens make one of the best basics for salads and add a unique texture to stir-fried vegetables. 

 

• Make the meal colorful – 

Adding leafy greens along with other colorful fruits and vegetables to meals will spark your child’s interest as children are naturally drawn toward bright colors. Shaping vegetables into fun ‘food art’ comprising of a variety of vegetables, such as lettuce, carrot sticks, and onion rings, can be much more appetizing than a bland portion of steamed broccoli and carrots.

For example – add veggies like broccoli or basil to pasta or on a pizza which proves more appealing to your child than large steamed pieces of vegetables.

 

• Get your child involved 

Get your child involved in preparing and planning family meals. For example, help your kids grow their own vegetables in your backyard/garden or take them shopping with you to the market to buy fresh vegetables.

You could also include them in preparing meals such as asking them to wash vegetables in the kitchen sink or tossing greens into a salad.

 

• Incorporate leafy greens in a snack or a side dish – 

Besides dinner time, try getting your kids to munch on veggies throughout the day. Put it on the table and let them snack between meals or after school when hungry. A bowl of salad on the side proves as a quick and easy option. It can also be a great addition to their banana smoothie or puree the greens to make a delicious creamy soup such as spinach soup topped with chopped cashews or walnuts.

 

Teaching your kids to include green vegetables in their daily diet and inculcating good food habits from an early stage is important. Leafy greens are nutrient-rich foods and including them in your child’s diet makes for a well-balanced and nutritious meal. It also paves the way for healthy eating – a lifelong habit that can go a long way if introduced in the early years.