The health benefits of vegetables are well-documented, but most of this research doesn’t make veggies sound appetizing to kids. This raises an important question that many parents are trying to tackle; how can we make our kids eat their vegetables? Luckily, there are some creative and delicious ways to solve this problem and help your kids get the crucial vitamins and nutrients they need.

Here are five ways to make your kids eat their veggies!

Mix Them Into Their Favorite Foods

Making subtle tweaks to their favorite foods is an easy way to increase their vegetable intake. Cauliflower crust pizza is a popular example, but the options are endless! Fans of Mexican food will love spinach and broccoli enchiladas or veggie tacos! Tacos are already so customizable so adding extra veggie options including lettuce, peppers, onions, cauliflower, etc. makes it easy to eat healthier. 

Vegetarian recipes are a great inspiration for getting more veggies into kids’ diets. Almost every meal has a vegetarian or vegan alternative that can be altered for taste preferences. 

Delicious Snack Alternatives

Meals aren’t the only place you can add veggies to! Many snacks that kids love tend to lack the qualities that make vegetables so healthy. Why not mix these two things together? Try celery and peanut butter or carrots and hummus for a quick and healthy alternative to more processed foods.

There are also a ton of great tasting, pre-made veggie snacks. For instance, Fuel For Fire’s Sweet Potato Apple Protein Smoothie uses real ingredients and packs a ton of protein. Substituting less healthy snacks with a Fuel For Fire smoothie provides fruits, vegetables, essential amino acids, and a delicious treat.

Try New Veggies

Some kids are picky eaters, but for the more adventurous ones, trying new things is a fun way to help them fall in love with vegetables. Less “common” vegetables like kohlrabi or okra may not be a guaranteed favorite, but it could be the start of a new interest in veggies! If you’re hesitant to start cooking them yourself, offering kids something quick and easy like kale chips is a tasty and promising introduction. 

Include Veggies as Side Dishes

Maybe vegetables aren’t going to be their favorite, but your kid can still enjoy them as a side dish to something they prefer more. Including a salad with their lunch or dinner is a creative way to introduce other vegetables including peppers, cucumbers, and more. Not to mention that lettuce itself is a versatile and great tasting veggie. Green beans, brussel sprouts, and sweet potatoes are all good options that can be customized and cooked in different ways.

Mix Things Up

If your kid hates vegetables, it might actually just be from a lack of variety. Give them a chance to pick which veggie they’d like to eat or try next. Involving them in the decision-making process—or even the cooking—creates a level of excitement that isn’t there when just presented with broccoli or corn. Cooking together is a fantastic activity and giving your child agency in picking out vegetables is perfect for growing their appreciation of healthy eating.

Fuel For Fire provides healthy, protein-filled smoothies that are made with real fruits and vegetables, perfect for anyone focused on eating more veggies. Use our store locator to find our products in stores or shop from our website!