Easy way to get children to eat fruits and veggies.

Gone for a minute now I’m back...ok, alright, let’s talk kids, food, and kids eating whole foods. Now I think we’re all aware now of the whole paycheck health grocery store, but I’m referring to whole foods as in foods with no processing or refinement; think farm, to store, to table. 

I’ve mentioned the elimination diet for Nori in the past, but from 2 years of age, we have gotten her to eat a very wide variety of fruits, grains and veggies. Though she may not like every single veggie (asparagus and mushroom are a def “eww”), our rule is try it before you knock it. 

As for Nate, I made everything I could steam, roast and purée for him and once it was time to chew everything he had an aversion with texture. From 1-2 he had a smoothie for breakfast 90% of the time because he wanted NO oats, pancakes/French toast/waffles, eggs, toast...anything textured. I felt like I was lost and he was going to starve (mom guilt), but I didn’t give up on him. 
**Even if you can only get them to eat fruits, there’s tons of vitamins and minerals they can get just as they would in veggies. 

For Nori to still love her healthy foods at school with onlookers and probably unfiltered words, I started to invest in cookie cutters, food pics, fun lunch notes by @lunchbox_love and silicone muffin cups. I wanted her to know and show her class mates, she enjoys eating those/these foods and healthy food can be fun and delicious! The same lunch tools and approach has helped get Nate to eat cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, kale, hummus and on. 

Noah is starting to eat some finger foods (he does not like anything wet so we have to feed him most fruits), but he loves to try everything (greedy butt) and ya starting to want to feed himself; cute but messy! 

I truly believe adding colors, different shape and textures and tools perfect for little hands, has made a world of a difference. And again, I don’t send Nori to school with almonds, avocado wraps, fruits galore and crinkle cut veggies to be made fun of (parents on a Food Network post made those claims and more). I want her to feel confident in her food choices when there’s colorful wrapped foods around her too: Gogurts, pouches and cookies (obviously these companies know shapes and colors have a psychological effect on the foods children eat too). 

But beware, I have mentioned Nate having  food aversions, but older children can develop them as well! Some of the foods Nori use to love and want are now resorted to, “no thank you’s”, and a screwed up face. She literally just wants rice and beans with avocado or pizza. I made roasted chickpea wraps for dinner and she hated it and Nate told me four times he loved it and I was the best mommy for making that for him! You win some, you lose some. But I won’t give up on her, never have, and you shouldn’t give up on your little one! Be mindful that some children can have sensory  sensitivity to foods and moderate to severe 

picky eating can be linked to anxiety or even depression. 

I share my lunch packing meals on my lunch account my  @packedandloaded and @kids.eat.in.color, @mylittleeater, and @babyfoodideas  (don’t let the name fool you, ideas are ideas). Even my friends over at @planterbox have tons of meal ideas. 

Remember, do your best, try to get them to help plan, wash and prep and even pack their meals, use colors and shapes, dips and spreads, and encourage them to try and don’t try to force it down their throat (pun intended).

Make healthy strides for you and your little one and if you try any of these tips with your little one or want to share your uphill little eater’s battle, I’m all ears! 

-XO Natasha