It's simple to become disappointed if your child rejects a vegetable, especially if you've tried multiple times to convince them to eat it. But if you repeatedly expose them to the same vegetable, there's a good chance they'll give it a try eventually. Don't forget to consider quantity proportions and cooking methods when exposing your toddler to a new veggie or one they haven't previously liked.

To avoid turning them off or overwhelming them with a full meal, start with a modest piece, like one or two nibbles. Try adding the vegetable to things they already like if your toddler has rejected particular preparations, such as raw spinach. For instance, spinach smoothies or muffins may be more tempting than the fresh version. Don't serve vegetables exclusively in this manner, though. Your toddler may be less likely to choose or try a taste of those served fresh or on their own if all vegetables are "hidden" in muffins or smoothies. The appearance and temperature of a vegetable can also make a difference. Some children might favor heated veggies over cold ones and veggie coins over veggie strips. Cut vegetables into these familiar shapes if your kid likes fries and noodles. Serve the vegetables first at dinner, and let your child handle the rest. Try not to express your disappointment if they refuse the vegetables that are offered to them. Always give it another shot at your next meal.

Spend some time with your children in the produce area of the grocery store if you can so they become accustomed to eating vegetables. For instance, ask them to choose a butternut squash or point to the particular tomato on the stack that they want. Discuss the name of the vegetable and its flavor with them.

Even if you choose not to take your children with you to the supermarket, you may still have them choose fruits and veggies from a catalog before you go or ask them to help you unpack groceries when you come home. Have your children help you in the kitchen or watch while you cook in addition to incorporating them in the buying process. Ask your toddler how they would like their vegetables prepared before the meal, or give them an option between two vegetables. Help them put a handful of kale, spinach, or another vegetable into the blender if you're making a smoothie. Give your kids the option to customize their pizzas with at least one vegetable when it's pizza night. As toddlers get older and more at ease in the kitchen, they can help by cutting or tearing softer greens, adding vegetables to a saute pan under your supervision, or incorporating shredded vegetables into pancake batter.

Try to include a fruit and vegetable at every meal. When given as a side dish by themselves, veggies may take some kids a while to warm up to them. In these situations, adding vegetables to meals kids already like can be beneficial.

If your child enjoys scrambled eggs, mac & cheese, or tacos, for instance, consider adding chopped or shredded vegetables to these foods. Add some zucchini noodles to the dish for spaghetti lovers. Offer cooked carrots, peas, sliced peppers, mushrooms, or other vegetables when preparing pizza or toast as your toddler becomes older and is able to be more active in their meal preparation. Ask them to add their preferred vegetables to the top to make a smiley face.

A child's desire to eat vegetables might occasionally be influenced by other elements of a meal rather than the vegetable itself. It’s easy to make meals healthy and fun with a few creative lunch ideas for kids.

If your toddler rejects vegetables when they are chopped or sliced, try chopping them into shapes like stars or hearts. To make these shapes, you can use a knife or buy fruit and vegetable cutters. Whenever you serve vegetables with a meal, use bowls or plates that have a vibrant color. Additionally, there are lots of entertaining forks and spoons available, including dinosaurs, construction tools, or animal-themed options. Another enjoyable way to serve vegetables is to freeze vegetable smoothies in popsicle molds.

Vegetables may be easily incorporated into dishes, often in indirect ways, which is one of their best qualities. There are countless opportunities to include vegetables in meals.

By mixing them with other ingredients, vegetables can be concealed in sauces and dips. Make green mac and cheese, vegetable tomato sauce, or caramelized onion dip, as examples. Beets and carrots can be used to make vegetable-rich applesauce, almost any vegetable can be used to make smoothies, and blended fruit and vegetable popsicles can all be made. Another way to boost your toddler's vegetable consumption is to mix riced cauliflower or shredded zucchini into oatmeal. Make pancakes, waffles, or muffins with spinach, shredded zucchini, shredded carrots, mashed sweet potatoes, shredded beets, and pureed pumpkin or squash.