How Can I Get My Child to Eat Vegetables?

My daughter refuses to eat any veggies. How can I make sure she gets enough nutrients each day?
– Priscilla

Start by setting a good example and eat a nutritious diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Then, use your imagination. Chop up veggies (try carrots or zucchini) and put them in foods like muffins, pancakes, or pasta sauce. Dress up veggies with something she enjoys — add cheese to broccoli, for example, or peanut butter to celery, or have her dip veggie sticks in yogurt.

Sometimes, all it takes is a fun arrangement to get kids eating. Make up a plate of mini foods (baby carrots, baby corn, cherry tomatoes, etc.) or make a face out of vegetables, complete with peas for eyes, a carrot for the nose, and sprouts for hair. Just make sure that veggies are cut into small enough pieces so they don't pose a choking risk.

If you have concerns about your child’s nutrition, talk to her doctor or talk to a registered dietician, who can help you deal with your finicky eater.

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: February 2010

Related Resources

Allrecipes.com This site offers more than 40,000 free recipes, plus lots of cooking tips and information.

Vegetarian Resource Group This site offers recipes, nutrition information, and lots more for vegetarians and anyone looking to eat less meat.

Food Network TV's Food Network goes online with searchable menus and recipes, an encyclopedia of cooking terms, and ideas from celebrity chefs.

ChooseMyPlate.gov ChooseMyPlate.gov provides practical information on how to follow the U.S. government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It includes resources and tools to help families lead healthier lives.

About Mealtime Makeovers Meals that have kid appeal can deliver the vitamins and minerals that growing bodies need. Here are some simple tips for trimming the fats from kids' favorite foods and packing them with more of the nutrients they need.

Toddlers at the Table: Avoiding Power Struggles By anticipating problems and offering choices, you can teach your toddler healthy eating habits and avoid power struggles about food.

Healthy Food Shopping What you put in the grocery cart can affect your child's health and attitude toward nutritious food.

Produce Precautions Kids need daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Here's how to make sure the produce you buy and prepare is safe.

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