As your toddler grows they develop personal taste and preferences. This can take many forms from only wearing a Spiderman costume for months or refusing to eat a certain kind of food. They are testing the boundaries and enjoying their new found freedom. But what happens when this freedom intrudes on diner? How do you coax your toddler to eat their vegetables? 

First of all, don’t panic if your child refuses their veggies. What may be disliked today could be their favorite tomorrow, remember they are establishing their preferences. The simple rule for toddlers is to take into account what they eat in a 48 hour period. Over two days, are they getting enough nutrition? If yes, don’t worry, if you have concerns, the list below may help you turn your picky eater around.

1.       Put the food on the plate, but don’t insist they eat it. Every once in a while it is okay to ask they al least taste the food and make sure they don’t like it, but try not to turn meal times into a power struggle.

2.       Steam but add flavor. I have had the best luck with steamed veggies and some butter melted on the top. Steaming preserves the vegetables natural taste and the butter adds just enough kick. But I have also been known to add cheese, salt, and garlic to enhance the flavor for my little ones.

3.       Let them choose. When shopping or deciding on the evening menu, ask them what they want. If they get to make the choice they are much more likely to eat it.

4.       Make it fun! A simple smiley face can add just enough flair to make a boring meal interesting. Or create a game. With broccoli, we always pretend to be giants eating trees. And who can forget the ants on a log, with celery, peanut butter, and raisins.

5.       Smuggle it. Okay they aren’t going for the fun factor, so it’s time to be sneaky. Add the veggie into dishes they love.  Can you mix some cauliflower in with the mashed potatoes? What about adding some corn to that chili?

6.       Let others be your guide. Find a same age friend that loves veggies, and have them over to eat. Then show your little one that his/her friend likes the carrots. Yeah, peer pressure works even on kids this young.

7.       You love ‘em. Not as good as peer pressure but still effective. Talk about how much you like the veggies, even make a big deal about what ones you are having. It might surprise you that your child does not want to be left out of the big vegetable event at your table.

8.       Supplements. Okay you’ve tried it all and he/she still won’t pick up anything leafy and green. Time to talk to your doctor about supplements. There are many food based options that will make sure they get a balanced diet.

But more than anything else, don’t panic. They are still deciding what they like and dislike. So your kid eats only orange food for a month. Enjoy it and remind him when he gets older.   Hey there are many people in their 20’s 30’s and 40’s who survive on much worse. Are they really healthy, no, but they are alive. So I guess not eating your vegetables won’t kill you.