I recently talked to a mom in the supermarket and she was grumbling to herself about her kids’ eating habits. I smiled at her and she laughingly talked about not liking vegetable when she was a child, and that she might have passed this habit to her children. She told me she mashes carrots to get her children to eat them with their noodle soup, and she chops celery and green bell pepper very finely for adding to spaghetti… to no avail.
Children can detect the taste of vegetables, no matter how finely you chop them. In particular, they can detect whether a viand contains green leafy veggies because of the unique aftertaste.
So, why don’t kids like green leafy veggies? Is it the texture, the taste or the aftertaste? I think it’s all of the above, plus the fact that parents give them a choice. Think of the usual food on the table during meal time. Ordinarily, there is a viand for the adults (veggies), and there is a viand for the kids (hotdog, friend chicken or fried pork chop). If kids didn’t have a separate viand reserved especially for them, they would have no choice but to eat the viand with the veggies in it.
Another thing is the idea of “making kids eat the vegetables“. Didn’t we all grow up hearing these words during meal time, “eat your vegetables, they’re good for you”? Kids are conditioned to think that vegetables are foodstuff they ‘have’ to eat, not something they ‘want’ to eat.
A friend of mine shared her secret for making her son eat vegetables. She prepares the usual veggie dish, with no ‘fried’ side dish. Then, she keeps telling her son that they’re eating his “favorite” vegetables, and that the veggies are mommy’s “favorites”, too.
that is indeed a great trick.. me too i dont eat veggies, lately lang kasi medyo naging health concious na. I dont my baby to a non-veggie eater kaya ngayon palang, sinasanay ko na sa veggies, no baby instant foods as much as possible. How’s your pregnancy by the way? Been awhile since the last time I visit. Happy weekends anyway
@ Bambie – My pregnancy didn’t get through:( But I am coping with the loss and we will try again soon.
I grew up in a family that just ate out of the garden. It was what we had for dinner, (with meat… often wild game). I never thought twice about it. And I just love my veggies. Don’t know if there is a genetic predisposition, but we seldom had fried foods, and even now I don’t like fried stuff very much.
my son is a very picky eater. very informative post you have here
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Vegetables do not taste bad, and I don’t think kids think that they taste bad. It is most likely what we thought them to think. I never make a big point about the vegetables and when my daughter was still very young many meals consisted of only vegetables. She loves them.
I read somewhere that it takes any person 15 times of tasting a flavor before appreciating it. It is best to let them get over the first 15 times when they are really young and give it to them in a pure form (not mashed with fruits mixed in, or sauces on top, or deep fried with batter).
I guess this is also the reason why I do not like eggplant either. I just learned about the vegetable after growing up and never forced myself to try it 15 times. I hated it after the first time and give up
I’m lucky that I have a son who enjoys eating his greens. I used to cut up vegetables finely and added them into his porridge or noodles when he was very young.
Not easy to make kids loves to vegetable,huh….get a long time period to make it!
Hmm. This gave me an idea, I should post veggie foods on my food blog too. LOL. I don’t know how my parents did it but I am not a picky eater although I prefer deliciously prepared meals. I eat vegetables except for okra, eggplant and ampalaya. My brother on the other hand… he’s a different story. Even if it’s the only food on the table, he’d rather cook and eat instant noodles for lunch or dinner. Minsan nakakaasar especially now that we’re trying to budget our expenses, he prefers meat and seafoods. And he’s the one talking about eating healthy ha! Wag daw ako kumain ng junk food, sweets, etc.
I dont have any problem with this with my daughter, but my son is a pain in the butt hehehe .. He is so picky! Thanks for the tips..
oi nice tips ha.. pero i don’t eat most vegetables din eh.. good thing hubby does so i have to share this tip to him..
my yena is a voracious eater.. sana she doesn’t change
how are u ganda??
Hi Jade it is almost like pulling teeth trying to get the kids to eat right and eat veggies. Hard work i agree.