How often do your kids push away the veggies on their plates? While it is important for them to consume vegetables for its nutrients and health benefits, forcing them to eat something they do not like may not be the best idea at cultivating a healthy eating habit.

Here are some tips to help you manage your kids’ diet and make sure they take in the daily recommended servings of greens.

1. Set a good example

Children learn from their parents, and that includes food choices. Use family meals to encourage your kids to eat more vegetables, and by showing them that you enjoy eating it, you are also moulding their perception on these vegetables. Alternatively, bring your children along to the market and let them pick the vegetables they would like to eat, because more often than not, they would not object to eating the food they pick.

2. Use butter in your food

Butter makes most foods, especially vegetables, tastier. Try sautéing broccoli, kale, green beans, or spinach with a little butter, because not only does it contain vitamins, butter also helps your children’s bodies better absorb the nutrients from these vegetables.

3. Ask them to help out in the kitchen

MasterChef Junior or not, getting your little ones involved in the kitchen will help them better appreciate their meals, and they will be more likely to eat the food on their plates. Simple actions like tossing vegetables into a thermal cooker can stir up their enthusiasm and curiosity, and make them more interested in the food they have helped to prepare.

4. Dip it to love it

Most foods taste better with sauce. Introduce vegetables to your children by encouraging them to eat with dips. Ranch dressing, mayonnaise, hummus… there are numerous dips you can make that complement vegetables. In this way, your children get to familiarise themselves with the taste and texture of vegetables, and may even develop a liking for certain greens!

5. Mix vegetables with other ingredients

A good way to get your children to eat their greens is to sneak some in their soup. A nutritious and delicious bowl of Papaya Pork Ribs Soup gives your children the meat and vegetables they need. Furthermore, the vegetables are strained from the stock, which means that they can get all the nutrition from drinking the soup.

A Thermos® Food Jar keeps your soup hot for up to six hours. Check out this beautiful Singapore Exclusive Local Design Food Jar designed by student artist, Grace Ong from Pathlight School’s Artist Development Programme.