Many parents complain that their children are afraid of vegetables like... bitter medicines. Children shook their heads and kept their mouths tight, while adults had a fever, forced to eat, and threatened. However, according to experts, children not liking vegetables is not their fault, but often comes from the way adults organize meals.
Starting with family habits and atmosphere
Children learn to eat mainly by observation. If on the rice tray, adults only remove the fish meat, ignore green vegetables, it will be difficult to convince children to do the opposite. Family meals should therefore be a positive space, where children see vegetables appear naturally and be enjoyed by adults comfortably.
Children tend to try dishes that their parents often eat, says Dr. Amy Reed, a pediatric nutritionist at the Cleveland Clinic (USA). Set an example that has a much stronger impact than forced or reward.
In addition, parents should avoid turning vegetables into "conditions". Slogans like eat all the vegetables to watch TV accidentally make children mistake vegetables for a bad thing. Instead, consider vegetables as a normal part of a meal, like rice or soup.
Turning green vegetables into interesting experiences
The way it is prepared and presented plays a very important role. Many children do not hate vegetables, but hate the bitter taste, strong smell or chewy feeling. Cooking soft, cutting down, mixing vegetables into familiar dishes such as eggs, fried rice, noodles, soup will help children more easily accept.
According to Dr. Reed, Letting children participate in picking and preparing vegetables, from going to the market, washing vegetables to displaying dishes will increase their sense of initiative and curiosity. When children feel a part of the process, their ability to accept the food will be higher.
In addition, color is also an effective "weapon". A plate of vegetables arranged in the shape of flowers, animals or rainbows not only attracts the eyes but also arouses the children's interest in exploring. For young children, positive emotions are always before taste.
Patience instead of Forcing
Nutritional studies show that children may need to try a vegetable 8-10 times before gradually accepting it. Children's refusal at first are a completely normal reaction. The important thing is that parents do not give up, but also do not put pressure.
Instead of asking children to eat all of them, start with small goals: taste a piece, or simply let vegetables appear regularly in the meal. familiarity, over time, will reduce the feeling of strangers.
Nutritional care for children is not only a story of fiber or vitamins, but also a way for families to build a relationship with meals. When meals are calm enough, patient enough and loving enough, green vegetables will no longer be a obsession, but become a natural part of a healthy family life.
