5 Practical Ways to Make Vege More Appealing to Kids!

We know. We understand the struggle to get your kids to eat vegetables is real.  The battle between children and a plate of peas is as old as time.

Kids are usually picky with food - especially vegetables. While making cute and colourful bento may encourage kids to eat more vegetables, unfortunately, we may not have time for that.

Here are a few practical and easy ways to make kids eat their vegetables without kicking a fuss:

The main reason why kids dislike vegetables - especially greens and cruciferous vegetables like Chinese kale (kailan) and broccoli - is because of its slightly bitter taste.

What can you do? Cook sweeter vegetables such as carrots, corn, and sweet potato; these can be served boiled or steamed. Avoid serving bitter-tasting vegetables as it is.

An easy way to make kids eat vegetables they dislike - such as celery - is to sneak them into vegetable soup. If you blend the soup, they may not even realise that they are eating vegetables!

What can you do? Try making western-style soup. A great combo is pumpkin and celery. The sweetness of the pumpkin covers the celery’s strong taste.

Kids usually love fruits because of their sweet taste. Make for them fruit smoothies and include vegetables that they typically do not eat.

What can you do? Instead of making orange juice, make a green vegetable-fruit smoothie with heaps of sweet fruits like orange and grapes.

Trick kids into enjoying their vegetables by putting it into what they already love. Sometimes, they may not even know they are eating it!

What can you do? Think of what kids usually love to eat and see how you can add some vegetables to it. Perhaps throw some spinach onto a pizza or chop some cauliflower into that homemade burger patty?

As an adult, we need to set a good example to our kids. They learn about food choices from us, so the best way to encourage them to eat vegetables is to let them see you enjoying it!

So, don’t give up yet! Keep experimenting with different ways to serve and sneak vegetables into their usual dishes. I’ve tried it with my nephews and nieces, and it worked! Turn your veggie loather into a veggie lover today!

Sara Khong