It’s no secret that kids hate vegetables. Whether it’s because they’re difficult to eat, their colors are pretty inedible, or they taste gross, the kids at your house might be reluctant to eat them. Kids are known as picky eaters. They have difficulty trying to fit their diet into what’s considered healthy. They tend just to eat whatever they enjoy, seeing as it’s not healthy at the same time. So do you know why your kid hates vegetables?
Table of Contents
10 Reasons Your Kid Hates Vegetables
Veggies are filled with nutrients; however, kids hate eating them. There are many reasons why your kids don’t really enjoy vegetables. Here are 10 of the most common:
1) Lack of Exposure
The most common reason kids hate vegetables is that they don’t know what they’re missing. If you haven’t introduced your kids to the wonderful world of vegetables, they might not even realize how delicious they can be. As a parent, it’s up to you to show them that there’s nothing wrong with eating a salad or a green bean (or whatever vegetable you want them to eat).
The best way to get a kid to eat their vegetables is to ensure they are exposed to them early on. Most kids don’t start eating vegetables until about age 2 or 3, so if you want your kids to love veggies, start exposing them early!
Kids are super into the sweet and salty flavors, and that’s totally fine! But sometimes vegetables have a bitter taste to them, and kids don’t like that. The good news? The more you eat veggies, the less unpleasant they’ll taste.
But if your kid just won’t eat them, don’t worry—there are plenty of ways to get around this (like mixing them with other foods or cooking them differently). Just keep trying!
3) Children are Allergic
Vegetables contain vitamins and minerals, but that doesn’t mean they’re for everyone. Some kids are allergic to certain veggies, making it hard to eat vegetables. It’s best to find out if your child is allergic to any vegetables before you try to get them to eat them.
4) Texture
One of the things kids don’t like about vegetables is the texture. It’s a little crunchy, a little mushy, and not always the same from one vegetable to another.
If you’re trying to get your kids to eat more vegetables, try serving them with different textures. Mixing them with smooth foods such as yogurt or cottage cheese is a great way to add variety and make them more appealing.
5) Consumed by Force
It’s not a secret that many kids don’t like vegetables. And honestly, who can blame them? If you’re forced to eat something you don’t like and have no choice in the matter, it will make you hate it even more.
Don’t try too hard to get your kids to eat vegetables. If you don’t know why they’re not eating them, try giving them a little snack with some veggies. Instead, try positive reinforcement. If you praise your kids for eating vegetables, they’re more likely to want to try and eat them!
6) Poor Quality & Preparation
The quality and preparation of vegetables can impact your kid’s feelings about them. If you’re buying the cheapest veg you can find, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Make sure the veggies are fresh and look appealing. Serve them with a dressing or sauce that complements their flavor, and don’t forget to season them with salt.
7) Unhealthy Condiments
Some veggie haters turn to unhealthy condiments like mayonnaise, ranch, and ketchup to help them swallow their veggies. These are high in fat, sodium, and sugar—and they’re not doing you any favors regarding healthy eating!
8) Bad Feedback
Kids are fickle. One day you’re their favorite person in the world, and they’ll do anything for you, and then the next day, you’re an evil stinky monster who is trying to kill them with vegetables.
What they hear about vegetable impacts their thoughts about them. Friends, family, and media can make your kids think veggies are gross.
9) Nothing Better to Do With Vegetables
It’s not that kids don’t like vegetables; it’s just that they don’t have anything else to do with them. It’s hard to eat an artichoke while playing a game of hide and seek with your friends or eat a carrot while helping your mom cook dinner.
The solution: Make vegetable fun! Make sure your kid knows how many different foods are available to them. If you’re having dinner, talk about other meals you’ve made that used the same ingredient (like a salad dressing).
10) Family Hates Vegetables
Sometimes kids go with the flow and do what the rest of their family does. If you’re eating all your veggies and your kids are watching, they will eat their veggies too. Kids tend to mimic the behavior of their parents and loved ones. So if you’re not eating your veggies, they’re not going to either.
The bottom line is that if you’re a picky eater, it’s probably because of your parents!
Conclusion
As much as your kids hate vegetables, you must take the initiative to make them eat healthily. Some parents are unaware that their kids eat very unhealthy foods as they do not care about their health, so it is your responsibility to ensure that your children eat right to keep them healthy and away from diseases.
Author Bio
Andrea Gibbs is currently the head of content management at SpringHive Web Design Company. This digital agency provides creative web design, social media marketing, email marketing, and search engine optimization services to small businesses and entrepreneurs. She is also a blog contributor at Baby Steps Preschool, writing storytime themes, parenting tips, and seasonal activities to entertain children.
