Fun Ways to Add Veggies to Meals and Snacks for Preschoolers
Getting your preschooler to eat more vegetables doesn’t have to be a battle. By creatively adding veggies to meals and snacks, you can make them exciting and tasty for your little one. Getting kids to eat vegetables can be done, and it can be fun!
Turn Veggies into Snacks
Kids love snacks, so make veggies part of the fun. Try cutting carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers into sticks or fun shapes. Pair them with a yummy dip like hummus, ranch dressing, or peanut butter. Check out these kid-approved dips from Healthy School Recipes. Additionally, cherry tomatoes (cut in half, if needed) or snap peas are also great for snacking and easy for little hands to hold.
Another idea is veggie chips. Slice zucchini, sweet potatoes, or kale into thin pieces, drizzle with olive oil and bake until crispy. These are crunchy, flavorful, and fun to munch on.
Hide Veggies in Smoothies
Smoothies are a great way to sneak in veggies without your child even noticing. Add a handful of spinach or kale to a fruit smoothie with bananas, berries, and yogurt. The sweetness of the fruit will cover the veggie taste. You can also add carrots or cooked cauliflower for a creamy texture. Let your child help pick the ingredients to make it more exciting to them.
Add Veggies to Sauces
Spaghetti or pizza night is the perfect time to add veggies. Blend cooked carrots, zucchini, or spinach into your pasta sauce. The veggies will blend right in, and your child won’t even know they’re there. You can also top pizzas with veggies like mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or bell peppers.
Make Veggies Part of Breakfast
Breakfast is a great time to include veggies. Add shredded zucchini or carrots to pancake or muffin batter. These add moisture and nutrients without changing the flavor much. You can also make scrambled eggs with spinach, tomatoes, or mushrooms. A veggie-filled omelet cut into small pieces can be a fun finger food.
Try Veggie-Filled Fun Shapes
Kids love food in fun shapes. Use cookie cutters to turn cucumber slices, zucchini rounds, or bell pepper rings into stars, hearts, or animals. You can even make veggie kabobs using colorful veggies on skewers. Adding a few chunks of cheese or fruit makes these even more appealing.
Get Creative with Soups and Stews
Soups and stews are a fantastic way to pack in the veggies. Add chopped carrots, celery, potatoes, or peas to chicken noodle soup. Pureed soups made with butternut squash, tomatoes, or broccoli are creamy and comforting.
Make Veggies Fun
Give veggies a fun name to make them more appealing. Call broccoli “mini trees” or carrots “crunchy sticks.” Let your child help prepare the veggies; they might be more willing to eat what they help make. Even something as simple as arranging veggies into a smiley face can make a big difference in getting kids to eat vegetables.
Lead by Example
Lastly, let your child see you enjoying vegetables. When you eat them with enthusiasm, your child is more likely to give them a try. Make veggies a regular part of meals and snacks so they feel normal and not like something unusual.
Adding veggies to your preschooler’s meals and snacks doesn’t have to be complicated. With some creativity and fun ideas, you can help your child develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.
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By: Melissa A. Kay
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