GainesvilleMoms.com

OK. As many of you know, I was raised by my hippy parents as a total vegetarian. Today, I am still pretty close to being a vegetarian. I did marry a carnivore which has made it tough. However, he eats less meat now and we have kind of met in the middle...anyway...my 4 year old refuses to eat anything green, or called a vegetable. I read this great tip and decided to give it a try as I was fed up with the dinner battle and worrying about his little colon. Last night before dinner (when he is normally starving and begging for snacks) I made a beautiful platter of veggies (raw/washed and cut up w/ a small dish of ranch dressing). It was a huge platter as I thought we would all have some as an appetizer. He devoured it! He probably ate 20 servings of veggies (carrots, broccoli, asparagus, celery, cherry tomatoes). We then had a nice leisurely dinner -he ate just his entrée-as usual. I know the pedis say not to worry about lack of veggies…I just cannot help it though! Anyone else have tips?

That's awesome that he ate it! Sounds like you found one thing that works -- I'll have to try it too. It's my belief that kids will eat anything with ranch dressing.

My sister-in-law tried out the Jessica Seinfeld way of sneaking in veggies. She brought the cookbook over and it sounded like too much work to me. But she seemed pretty impressed.

My 3 year old eats very well. She would easily be a vegetarian, not a vegan(sp) though as she loves cheese and yogurt too much!. She doesn't eat red meat at all, except meatballs with spaghetti. She loves brocolli, carrots, corn, tomatoes and I haven't found a fruit she won't eat. She eats yogurt like ice cream. I am really happy that she eats so well. Other moms are always amazed when we go out as she happily munches on tomatoes, steamed broccoli and a grilled cheese sandwich or grilled chicken. Those are her restaurant favs...but I take no credit for her healthy eating other than offering it to her and having it available at mealtime and snacktime. My other two children do not eat as well. They will only eat about two different veggies each and one of my kids will not eat salad at all! The two things my 3 year old won't eat are raw veggies...won't touch them...and peanut butter...both of those I wish she would eat!!

Karen

I agree that kids will eat stuff with ranch. I'll have to try Lew's idea. My kids like to have their own little bowl of dip so maybe I'll make individual servings so they don't have to share (I guess sharing advice would be another post )

Our daughter HATED veggies after her 1994 birth. We got her to eat them (and eventually love them) by always asking waitors for a side bowl of Ranch dressing. She LOVED the veggies dipped in the dressing, especially brocolli. Now our child eats steak, but what she eats the most of is veggies and salads. She doesn't ask for Ranch dressing; she outgrew that after 3 years.

Please be sure that your children are getting enough protein. Our pediatrician warned us about all the kids he had been seeing in this area who were NOT getting enough protein because their parents wanted them to be vegetarians. Our personal philosophy is that everything in moderation is FINE (meat, desserts, etc) and that if meat were good enough for compassionate Jesus (who gave us those special, sharp teeth for ripping flesh & who ate meat himself), it's good enough for us and our children.

LOL FLNonny!

I am thankful that none of my kids are very picky. My oldest loves fruit, but will tolerate his veggies (Ranch does help!). My middle child eats practically anything. My youngest son, however, loves veggies but we have to work on fruit for him!

When Tim was young, he loved his veggies and fruits! He really loved spinich too.

As he grew older- the veggie thing became less n' less.

As a teen, well, the veggie thing went out the window. Some of it at least.

but due to his MD, he has a hard time eating alot of the cooked veggies and fruits. so now, he will take V8 juice for his veggies and does eat some fruit ...he loved strawberries and watermelon but have a hard time with it now. so i d find other ways to let him enjoy it if he can't chew it.

I found in an magazine recently how to decorate the vegetables and fruits so that kids will enjoy eating them. I have to some how post it here for u to see and enjoy the receipes they shared.

I get Parents magazine and it always has "recipes" for making a flower or smiley face with different veggies. I've never tried it, but it looks like fun.

I find my daughter really likes to help me shop in the produce section. She thinks it's a lot of fun to help find the tomatoes or pick out an apple. She also likes to weigh them

I think knowing she helped me shop for the produce encourages her to eat it.

Mine are great about eating their veggies when it's mixed up in their grandmother's or their dad's vegetable soup. Make a big ol' crock pot of veggie soup, they'll eat out of it all day long with a loaf of sourdough bread. Yum!

It used to drive me nuts that my daughter ate just carrots when she was younger. Then she discovered spinach and loved it.

She doesn't like lettuce but I figure if she likes spinach, we can all eat that forever