Tips for Getting Your Toddler to Eat Vegetables

For as long as Callum has been eating solids, we have struggled with getting him to eat his veggies. He is just not a fan. I hear plenty of moms say, "I can't get my kid to stop eating broccoli" or "She especially likes peas." Sadly, that's just not my kid. He'll eat any carb you put in front of his face, but turns his nose to even the smallest veggie. The struggle is real.

I've searched and searched for tips on getting my toddler to eat vegetables. And, to be honest, most really aren't that helpful. But, I have managed to find a few tips that never fail for us. Here's what I've got.

1. Blend it.

I am not exaggerating when I say I make a smoothie for Callum every. single. day. He can't get enough of them and they are filled with fruit and veggies.

Here's our go-to smoothie recipe. This makes enough smoothie for the three humans in my family.

• two cups fresh spinach
• one frozen banana (Before I freeze my bananas, I peel them, break them into pieces, and put them in individual baggies. So, I'll have one peeled banana in pieces in each bag.)
• one cup frozen berries
• half cup vanilla greek yogurt
• enough milk to blend it all up

2. Shred it.

This right here is my favorite tip ever: Shredded zucchini in your pancake mix. Every time I make a batch of pancake or waffle mix, I shred a fresh zucchini right into the batter before cooking. Works like a charm.

Shredded carrots in mac n cheese is another popular trick. Rice, mashed potatoes, and spaghetti are also great disguises for any veggie you can shred.

3. Dip it.

Kids love to play with their food. So, use it to your advantage! Giving them some sort of dip for their veggies will always perk their curiosity. Ketchup, ranch, and peanut butter are our favs. Sure, at first, they may just use the veggie as a vehicle for the dip, but it won't be long before they are eating that celery carrying the peanut butter.

4. Keep trying!

Even if Callum won't eat it now, we still always put it on his plate. Someday, he'll surprise the heck out of us and devour those veggies.

Tell me: What are your favorite tips for getting your child to eat vegetables?