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How to get your toddler to eat more veg

Parents, we know how difficult it can sometimes be to get your child to eat their veggies. But it is important that you don’t give up – vegetables contain vitamins, antioxidants and fibre that are an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet. Try these simple tips to encourage your toddler.

1. Get creative: Toddlers are naturally drawn to vibrant colours, so use this to your advantage. Cut veggies into manageable sized strips and arrange them in fun shapes or patterns to catch your toddler’s attention – think of making faces from sliced red peppers or a rainbow from different veggies. Serving cut vegetables with a dip on the side is also a good way to encourage them to tuck in. Make a quick, easy and tasty dip by stirring Squish 100% Veg Puree into a small bowl of cream cheese or cottage cheese, or try this recipe for a protein-packed bean dip. 

1. Lead by example: Children often mimic the behaviour of their parents, so when you give them fruits and veggies be sure to eat it with them. Enjoy a variety of vegetables yourself and let your child see your enthusiasm for them. Encourage them to taste from your plate if they show an interest. When your toddler observes you enjoying veggies, they’ll be more likely to give them a try.

1. Get them involved: Toddlers love to be hands-on, so involve them in the vegetable selection and preparation process. When you’re at the supermarket, let them choose a vegetable to try. Once you’re home, make washing and peeling a fun activity and try and involve them in the cooking process. This will give your child a sense of ownership over their meal, and they will be well-pleased in the role they played putting it together. 

1. Think outside the box: Sneaking veggies into familiar foods your toddler already loves can be a smart way to introduce new flavours without overwhelming your little one. You’ll find that over time they might become more receptive to the taste and texture of various vegetables and eat them more willingly. Blend spinach into smoothies or make a delicious veggie-loaded omelette or scrambled egg, like this Cheesy Veg Scramble made using Squish 100% Mixed Veg Puree. Most toddlers love pasta, so try this trick: stir Squish 100% Veg Puree through ready-cooked pasta and top with grated cheese. Squish 100% Purees are available in a variety or flavours, plus they’re packed with quality veg and contain no preservatives, colourants or flavourants. They’re so convenient and come with a resealable lid, so you can use on the go or reseal and pop back in the fridge to use later in the day. 

5. Offer a Variety of Choices: Don’t limit your toddler’s options to just one type of vegetable. Instead, provide a range of choices during meals and allow them to choose between two or three different veggies on their plate. Again, this gives them a sense of autonomy and makes them more likely to be a little adventurous. Rotating through different vegetables exposes them to diverse tastes and textures, increasing the chances of finding ones they enjoy.