Anonymous
Post 06/27/2014 10:31     Subject: Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
We love the steam-in-the-microwave veggies! Of course, once they're heated through, we toss them in a skillet with some excellent grass-fed butter and/or EVOO. Generous pinches of Kosher salt and twists of the pepper grinder (and sometimes red pepper flakes) and my boys (7 and 10) devour it! It is so easy and only takes an extra minute to jazz up.

Fats can be your friend, especially because of vitamin absorption, so don't nix them entirely.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2014 09:52     Subject: Re:Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:They are 9 and 12 - old enough to help, for sure


For your 12 year old this is easy, wait a few months for puberty and he'll eat anything that's not nailed down. Many many boys who were picky or undereaters in elementary school get over that issue fast when they've got hormones surging through their bodies all the time.

For a 9 year old it's a little harder if you don't want to wait 3 years. Here are some things that worked for our family:

Smoothies with fruit and some veggies for breakfast

Serving the veggies (or fruit if you'd like them to eat more of that too) first. For example, last night I made a cookie sheet full of crunchy roasted kale as soon as I got home from work. I served it to my son to nibble on while I prepped dinner. When he finished that, I gave him a bowl of pineapple. When we finally sat down to dinner of steak, potatoes and veggies, he had already eaten a lot.

If I'm going to add fats or sauces to the meal, I'll add them to the veggies, not the meat. So, I might serve plain grilled chicken, with a side of roasted veggies marinated in yummy Italian marinade, which is the exact opposite of what my mother would have served (marinated chicken, boring veggies). I've been known to toss cauliflower in buffalo wing sauce, or to serve broccoli with the sauce I'd use for mac and cheese. My kid really likes meat, and the flavor of meat, so I'll make brussel sprouts with bacon, or saute some Granny Smith apples with some hot Italian sausage.

Serve fruits and veggies in bowls on the table, with kids free to take as they wish. Preplate the other foods, and leave the extras on the stove. My kid can have seconds of whatever he likes (usually, when I make something like steak, I might make exactly the right number), but he's much more likely to take what's in front of him than to get up and serve himself from the stove.


Can I come over for dinner? Sounds amazing!


+1 - you've inspired me. I tend to do the same thing, but I don't get as fancy. My toddler loves homemade kale chips and roasted or pan-sauteed brussels sprouts and broccoli (tossed with a bit of EVOO and salt/pepper). It really does change the flavor for the better when you add a little fat and crisp them up. No wonder he wouldn't touch the steam-in-the-microwave veggies I had been trying before that. I wouldn't either.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2014 09:40     Subject: Re:Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
Anonymous wrote:What does being a boy have to do with eating veggies?


That was my initial reaction, too!
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2014 09:35     Subject: Re:Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
Anonymous wrote:"No, Johnny, you can't have a second helping or have some chips, eat your carrots. Or would you rather have broccoli?"


I do this. DD isn't allowed to have seconds of meats or cheeses until she eats her veggies. She does like her vegetables, though, so it's not like she leaves the table hungry if she doesn't want to eat them.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 18:34     Subject: Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
Add cheeses or butter. Once you get them into the habit, you wean them off the toppings. Also, serve fresh not canned or frozen veggies. They taste so different.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 17:52     Subject: Re:Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
"No, Johnny, you can't have a second helping or have some chips, eat your carrots. Or would you rather have broccoli?"
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 16:27     Subject: Re:Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:They are 9 and 12 - old enough to help, for sure


For your 12 year old this is easy, wait a few months for puberty and he'll eat anything that's not nailed down. Many many boys who were picky or undereaters in elementary school get over that issue fast when they've got hormones surging through their bodies all the time.

For a 9 year old it's a little harder if you don't want to wait 3 years. Here are some things that worked for our family:

Smoothies with fruit and some veggies for breakfast

Serving the veggies (or fruit if you'd like them to eat more of that too) first. For example, last night I made a cookie sheet full of crunchy roasted kale as soon as I got home from work. I served it to my son to nibble on while I prepped dinner. When he finished that, I gave him a bowl of pineapple. When we finally sat down to dinner of steak, potatoes and veggies, he had already eaten a lot.

If I'm going to add fats or sauces to the meal, I'll add them to the veggies, not the meat. So, I might serve plain grilled chicken, with a side of roasted veggies marinated in yummy Italian marinade, which is the exact opposite of what my mother would have served (marinated chicken, boring veggies). I've been known to toss cauliflower in buffalo wing sauce, or to serve broccoli with the sauce I'd use for mac and cheese. My kid really likes meat, and the flavor of meat, so I'll make brussel sprouts with bacon, or saute some Granny Smith apples with some hot Italian sausage.

Serve fruits and veggies in bowls on the table, with kids free to take as they wish. Preplate the other foods, and leave the extras on the stove. My kid can have seconds of whatever he likes (usually, when I make something like steak, I might make exactly the right number), but he's much more likely to take what's in front of him than to get up and serve himself from the stove.


Can I come over for dinner? Sounds amazing!


Sure. I should have mentioned that the reason why I feel obligated to make my kids eat more fruits and veggies is that I'm making up for some bad habits like McDonald's after practice. So, you'll need to pick the right night.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 16:25     Subject: Re:Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:They are 9 and 12 - old enough to help, for sure


For your 12 year old this is easy, wait a few months for puberty and he'll eat anything that's not nailed down. Many many boys who were picky or undereaters in elementary school get over that issue fast when they've got hormones surging through their bodies all the time.

For a 9 year old it's a little harder if you don't want to wait 3 years. Here are some things that worked for our family:

Smoothies with fruit and some veggies for breakfast

Serving the veggies (or fruit if you'd like them to eat more of that too) first. For example, last night I made a cookie sheet full of crunchy roasted kale as soon as I got home from work. I served it to my son to nibble on while I prepped dinner. When he finished that, I gave him a bowl of pineapple. When we finally sat down to dinner of steak, potatoes and veggies, he had already eaten a lot.

If I'm going to add fats or sauces to the meal, I'll add them to the veggies, not the meat. So, I might serve plain grilled chicken, with a side of roasted veggies marinated in yummy Italian marinade, which is the exact opposite of what my mother would have served (marinated chicken, boring veggies). I've been known to toss cauliflower in buffalo wing sauce, or to serve broccoli with the sauce I'd use for mac and cheese. My kid really likes meat, and the flavor of meat, so I'll make brussel sprouts with bacon, or saute some Granny Smith apples with some hot Italian sausage.

Serve fruits and veggies in bowls on the table, with kids free to take as they wish. Preplate the other foods, and leave the extras on the stove. My kid can have seconds of whatever he likes (usually, when I make something like steak, I might make exactly the right number), but he's much more likely to take what's in front of him than to get up and serve himself from the stove.


Can I come over for dinner? Sounds amazing!
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 16:20     Subject: Re:Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
Anonymous wrote:They are 9 and 12 - old enough to help, for sure


For your 12 year old this is easy, wait a few months for puberty and he'll eat anything that's not nailed down. Many many boys who were picky or undereaters in elementary school get over that issue fast when they've got hormones surging through their bodies all the time.

For a 9 year old it's a little harder if you don't want to wait 3 years. Here are some things that worked for our family:

Smoothies with fruit and some veggies for breakfast

Serving the veggies (or fruit if you'd like them to eat more of that too) first. For example, last night I made a cookie sheet full of crunchy roasted kale as soon as I got home from work. I served it to my son to nibble on while I prepped dinner. When he finished that, I gave him a bowl of pineapple. When we finally sat down to dinner of steak, potatoes and veggies, he had already eaten a lot.

If I'm going to add fats or sauces to the meal, I'll add them to the veggies, not the meat. So, I might serve plain grilled chicken, with a side of roasted veggies marinated in yummy Italian marinade, which is the exact opposite of what my mother would have served (marinated chicken, boring veggies). I've been known to toss cauliflower in buffalo wing sauce, or to serve broccoli with the sauce I'd use for mac and cheese. My kid really likes meat, and the flavor of meat, so I'll make brussel sprouts with bacon, or saute some Granny Smith apples with some hot Italian sausage.

Serve fruits and veggies in bowls on the table, with kids free to take as they wish. Preplate the other foods, and leave the extras on the stove. My kid can have seconds of whatever he likes (usually, when I make something like steak, I might make exactly the right number), but he's much more likely to take what's in front of him than to get up and serve himself from the stove.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 15:52     Subject: Re:Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
Cookology in VA or L'Academie de Cuisine in MD will have classes for that age. A one time class in something they like might help them get more into actually cooking.

Also, going to farmers markets and picking out produce, so they help decide what they eat.

Maybe put a competitive spin on things, like who can make the better tasting and healthy dish with spinach or tomatoes. Iron Chef style.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 15:30     Subject: Re:Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
They are 9 and 12 - old enough to help, for sure
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 15:28     Subject: Re:Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
Anonymous wrote:What does being a boy have to do with eating veggies?


I think she means her kids, PP. Don't be dense.

OP, what ages? Are they old enough to help prepare foods?

Also there are cookbooks for kids like Pretend Soup that might be fun.
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 15:28     Subject: Re:Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
OP here - nothing, of course, it's just that I live with only boys so they are the only ones I am trying to feed more veggies.....
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 15:26     Subject: Re:Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
What does being a boy have to do with eating veggies?
Anonymous
Post 06/26/2014 15:22     Subject: Ideas for getting boys to eat more veggies, please!
Please help!