One of the best things you can do for your kids is to teach them to love eating healthy. When your kids enjoy healthy foods, like vegetables, they will be healthier and happier. They will stay within their optimum weight and have the energy they need for school and play.

But it’s not easy getting kids to eat vegetables. They seem to have a mindset built in that says NO loud and clear, especially to anything green.  Cooking with your kids is one great way to solve this problem. When you cook with your children they are more open to trying new things. Who wouldn’t want to taste what they just created? So grab your apron and your child and get ready to enjoy those vegetables.

Let Your Kids Pick a Recipe

When you cook with your kids another sneaky way to get them to eat things like vegetables is to let them choose the recipe. Now keep in mind if you just hand them a cookbook they may go straight to the dessert department. This is easily solved by limiting their choices. You have three or four recipes already chosen and ask them, “So, which one of these do you want to help me cook tonight?” They think they are making the decision when you have already decided. Of course, all of them will feature a healthy vegetable.

If your children are younger instead of a recipe you might suggest trying a single new vegetable. You can say something like, “I think I would like to try eggplant. Would you like that or do you think we should learn to cook squash or peas?” You may be surprised at the things your kids will eat when you cook with them.

Cooking Together is Fun

When parents cook with their kids they build bonds. A lot of messes happen in the kitchen but so does a lot of laughter and fun. Cooking together lets your children learn a needed skill, get creative and spend time with you.

Another great way to get the vegetables in there is to have them help you plan the menu. Naturally incorporating at least one vegetable into every meal.  Teach them fun ways to include vegetables into foods. For example, grated zucchini squash sautéed and added to everything from meatloaf to scrambled eggs blends in with the stronger tastes of other foods. Salads are fun to make and a great way to practice colors with preschoolers. Red tomatoes, yellow squash, green peppers – challenge them to add as many colors as they can. So start spending time in the kitchen with your kids cooking. Not only will they enjoy eating their vegetables more but you just may become their favorite chef.