Bon Appetit!

Want meal time to be a relaxed social gathering, rather than a battle to get your kids to eat their greens?  Here are a few tricks to have up your sleeve as you’re planning meals or putting dinner on the table . . .

(1) Offer choices:  Do you want broccoli or carrot sticks?  Would you like to try strawberries or raspberries?

(2) Involve them in shopping for food.

{{GASP!}}

I know, I know.  Taking kids to the store slows down the process of  “getting in and getting out” but . . . the benefits can be enormous.

Instead of begging and cajoling at mealtimes to get them to try something new ~ give them more control over what ends up on their plate by asking them to pick out a new fruit or vegetable the next time they’re in the produce department with you.

(3)  Whenever something “new” shows up on the table ~ ask your kids to tell you what it is . . . “Mom, that’s easy.  It’s a carrot.”  Then, ask them to tell you anything they remember about carrots . . . “Bugs Bunny likes carrots!”  “Carrots are good for our eyes!”  “Carrots are orange.”

By the time they’re done sharing their wealth of knowledge with you, carrots will seem like a familiar friend . . . one that’s good enough to gobble up.

Tip:  Do a quick internet search to find FUN FACTS for any vegetable or fruit that is so unique and different that they are likely to be stumped.  Share what you’ve learned with them.

(4)  Give them permission to say “No, thank you.” . . . AFTER trying the first bite.  This encourages them to try everything once, knowing that they don’t have to pile up their plates with something that tastes “icky.”

(5)  Hand out the gold stars.  Prepare a simple sheet with your children’s names across the top:  Huey, Dewey, and Louie.  Down the side, list veggies and fruit as they are presented during the week:  Asparagus, Bananas, Broccoli, Carrots, Dill Pickles, Endive, Fennel, Guava . . . ”  Each time the kids try something on the list, give them a gold star (or a simple check mark) next to that item.

Let them compete against each other to see who gets the most stars each week or month.  And, if your budget permits, allow them to trade gold stars for “fabulous gifts and exciting prizes” ~ e.g., a $1 shopping spree at the Dollar Store.

Bon Appetit!

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