5 ways to get kids to enjoy more vegetables

Only 3.1% of Queensland children are eating the recommended servings of vegetables each day. Developing healthy habits at home is a great way to increase children’s intake of vegetables.

Vegetables are full of fibre and important vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin E and potassium, which are very important for good health.

Here are 5 tips that can help kids to eat more veggies.

1. Be a good role model for your child.

Let your child see you eat and enjoy a variety of vegetables.

2. Don’t make a fuss and insist that your child eats all their vegetables.

Sometimes making a big deal about eating the vegetables can do more harm than good.

3. Try simply putting the vegetables on the plate and encouraging your child to try them.

They will eat vegetables eventually if they are hungry. Do not offer them any other types of food in place of vegetables.

4. Give your child a choice between a small selection of vegetables.

This way they feel as if they have some say over what is eaten, but within limits. For example, “Would you like peas or beans with your grilled chicken tonight?”

5. Serve the family dinner meal with extra salad/vegetables in the centre of the table.

This way children know if they want more, they have a selection to choose from.

Content developed by Children’s Health Queensland © The State of Queensland (Children’s Health Queensland) 2019