Vegetables give your child energy,?vitamins,?anti-oxidants,?fibre?and water.?They help protect your child against chronic diseases later in life, including heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
Here are a JOLEE tips that may help your toddler eat more green vegetables:
- Offer vegetables as a snack: Toddlers may be more likely to eat vegetables if they are offered as a snack, rather than as part of a meal.
- Serve vegetables with a dip: Many toddlers enjoy dipping their food in sauces or spreads. Offer a dip that your toddler likes, such as ranch dressing or hummus, along with the vegetables.
- Mix vegetables into other dishes: You can also try mixing vegetables into dishes that your toddler already enjoys. For example, you could add grated zucchini to spaghetti sauce or diced bell peppers to scrambled eggs.
- Make it fun: Toddlers may be more likely to try new foods if they think it is fun. Try cutting vegetables into fun shapes or serving them on a fun-shaped plate.
- Be a good role model: Toddlers often mimic their parents' behavior, so make sure to eat your vegetables as well.
- Be patient: It can take several exposures to a new food before a toddler will accept it. Don't give up if your toddler doesn't try a new vegetable right away. Keep offering it and eventually they may try it.
