If your kids are anything like mine - the veggie fight is long and hard.I have been using bits and pieces of that Deceptively Delicious cookbook - but frankly there is so much prep before you even start making meals that I have slacked some recently.
At Noah's 3rd year appointment - I told our Dr. about his aversion to anything green. Well, except for spinach or brussel sprouts. Or anything of the mashed kind - like potatoes... strange kid! He will eat sweet potatoes and carrots though. (The best part about Dr. V. is that he has kids the same ages so he is going through this at home too!)
Dr. V asked me what we were doing. I told him that I hide veggies in meals as often as I can. He told me to take the fight out of the experience. Just hide it as much as I can BUT always serve it to him. Just leave it on the plate and make sure that he sees his parents eating them as well. That last part is NOT a problem for me - I LOVE veggies and would have them all the time if I could. He also said - don't smoother in butter, cheese or other things or you have defeated the whole purpose... not so healthy anymore... said fine to dip but not drown in sauces. Shoot - I thought that was part of hiding them!
So, it got me thinking... how could I sneak more veggies in the diet? Well, here are some of the things I have tried lately that HAVE been devoured:
Carrot Raisin Muffins (yuck - but they loved them)
Zucchini Bread (today!)
Banana Bread
Pumpkin Squash Bread
Spaghetti Sauce - Homemade with pureed spinach and carrots.
Scrambled Eggs with Veggies hidden in them
I have to admit that I have gotten so frustrated sometimes that I have even used a dash of sprinkles to entice them to eat the veggies... do you think that would count as smothering them in stuff? Ha...
I think there is nothing more frustrating than trying to "make" someone eat something they don't like and seems like my three have the uncanny ability to make everything they have already consumed come up with whatever I was forcing down!
So, for now, I am becoming the master hider. I have learned to choose my battles. We don't eat out or at other people's houses often - so when we do - no forcing at all. They will eat what they will and we will leave the fights, fits and tears for the comfort of our own home. AND, I am learning that 4 -5 servings of fruits and veggies a day IS doable if you get creative....
And, I was pretty picky as a kid. I remember sitting for hours with a plate of untouched veggies... going to bed only to wake up in the morning to see them back on my breakfast plate. Talk about stubborn! I think I turned out OK... and now I love the green stuff so there is SOME hope.
If you have any ideas or suggestions - I would LOVE to hear them!
2 comments:
Lee,
Have you tried the V8 fruit and vegetable juice..there is a serving in each glass and you can water it down. As a dietitian, I have found several ways to get the kids to eat veggies but one most important is not to make a big deal about them. NO TREATS, unless they eat the meal. And remember, a child's portion is not the same size as an adults portion. Let me know if you have any questions.
I'm fighting the same battle. Most of my hiding is done with spaghetti sauce, pancakes, and bananas in the form of smoothies and popsicles. Sometimes I can even trick my husband if he doesn't see me making it. =)
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