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EAT => Eating For Toddlers => Topic started by: The Bean on May 07, 2005, 21:11:12 pm

Title: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: The Bean on May 07, 2005, 21:11:12 pm
As requested ladies.....
Title: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Noelle on May 10, 2005, 02:28:13 am
Thanks :)

Here are some of my tips, including some obvious ones.... :wink:

1.  Sprinkle veggies with dry ranch dressing mix.
2.  Shish kabobs!!!  I find anything "fun", he eats.
3.  Corn on the cob....another "fun" one for ds.
4.  Cut veggies up and put into sauces, casseroles, etc.
5.  Mini cookie cutters...."shaped" veggies (and fruit)...
6.  Eating with toothpicks  ("fun")
7.  Add cheese!!!
8.  Main dishes that contain mostly veggies (spinach fritattas, stir fry, etc.)

Those are just some off the top of my head.   Though sometimes #5 and #6 can backfire, if they're the type to insist of eating like that all the time  :lol:
Title: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: The Bean on May 11, 2005, 15:45:07 pm
Our big sneaky one has always been to make meatballs with pureed veggies mixed in about half and half meat/veg but recently he has decided he doesnt like then :( But might work for soemone else for a while. It's deffinitly a battle for us, I swear he catches on to anything we try. He will drink veggie juice (mixed with fruit juice) so we end up doing that a lot.

Gillian
Title: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: luv2savelives on May 16, 2005, 20:17:01 pm
Noelle:

Thanks so much for the ranch dressing idea...it has helped a bit with dd eating veggies...the first day she took to it and it still works every once in a while...though lately she has started licking the "sprinkle" off the veggies and not eating them. :roll: I've found that she loves dips and sprinkles...we use grated parmesan cheese on things and she loves it...for instance she won't eat pasta sauce so I spray noodles with butter and sprinkle with the cheese and she'll devour it. And we found pre-made sweet potato patties at the grocery store that she loves and asks for frequently..Also, dh brought home julienne (?) carrots and she enjoys those. I'm always waiting for more "recipes" on here!
Title: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: carolyn on May 16, 2005, 20:30:09 pm
Lunch today for John was cream of butternut squash soup with Winnie the Pooh pasta shapes and chopped tofu.  He had fun eating Tigger, Pooh and Hunny pots and legos (tofu cubes).  I don't know if it will work again.

I have also been resorting to carrot/apple juice combinations. 

Orange applesauce (mashed carrots mix in apple sauce) is a big hit.

Pureed veggies of veggie soup served with ABC pasta works sometimes.

I bought multi colored french fries this weekend. It has purple potatoes, white potatoes, and sweet potatoes in it.  I haven't tried it yet.

I found some dried veggies, but apparently they must be poisonous because he won't touch them.  :roll:
Title: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: springhillmom on May 20, 2005, 18:43:33 pm
I mix veggies with cottage cheese and she loves it.

Broccoli, peas, carrots, squash, sweet potato...she'll tolerate all these plain but chows down on them with a little cottage cheese mixed in.
Title: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: luv2savelives on August 31, 2005, 19:29:14 pm
My dd has been boycotting green beans for about 3 months. Until I tried putting "Flavor All" on them.  She asks for "green beans with sprinkle" all the time now. Works great on corn too. She likes to "help" sprinkle them. I have also found that letting her "help" make things gets her excited to eat them. I let her help me put fish on the tray to bake, etc and she of course won't pass up what she has made "all by herself". I second the orange applesauce idea. Works for us too as long as there is more applesauce than carrots so she doesn't taste them as much.
Title: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Lilah'sMommy on September 13, 2005, 16:48:11 pm
This one works with my DD, but she loves pasta and tomato products, so it may not work for everyone.

Make "sneaky veggie" sauce: Grate carrots and zucchini on the smallest grater holes.  Chop fresh spinach as small as you can.  Saute all in a little olive oil (add a little mince garlic if your DC likes it; mine loves it).  Add tomato sauce and a little oregano.  Simmer for about 10 minutes or so.  You can serve it like this, or be really sneaky and puree it in the blender to make the veggie pieces even smaller.  Toss with a pasta that holds a lot of sauce, like shells or rotelle.  Sprinkle with parmesan.  My DD loves it.

You can also make mini pizzas with pita or just regular bread: Spread on the sauce, then top with cheese.  Melt under the broiler.

I made a big batch of this sauce and froze it in ice cube trays so I can have a toddler-sized portion ready for a quick meal.

I also find that any time we are eating veggies (which is often, since we're vegetarians), DD will always try what we're having.  She doesn't necessarily eat much, but she learns that veggies are tasty and Mom and Dad love them!
Title: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: GatorGirl on November 02, 2005, 19:56:20 pm
Man you guys we really struggle with the veggies.  DD is the pickiest eater I have ever seen, no meat, barely any veggies, limited fruit.  All she wants is carbs, carbs, and more carbs..........I am going to try the sauce thing -- thanks!

Lynda
Title: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Meg's Mom on November 05, 2005, 03:19:58 am
This worked on 2nd try w/ dd who eats no ff veg...

1 tbs can corn
1 tbs can carrot
1/2 tbs tomato paste
sautee all olive oil and as a bit of garlic...loved it!
Title: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: claytonsmum on January 05, 2006, 00:56:02 am
My son used to balk at veggies until I started to sautee them in a little olive oil and a little sea salt.  He now LOVES them.  Kid friendly veggies he loves include cut green beans, corn, carrots cubed, peas, sweet peppers.  I think he loves the salt!  I do...  He eats a little bowl of some sort of veggies with every dinner... we just insist on it, and he does it, though with some protest some times... after all he IS 2...
Title: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Meg's Mom on January 06, 2006, 04:53:15 am
i don't know alot about sea salt, it is better for you/them then regular salt?

We have been using a wee bit of the ranch dressing powder/mix on baby carrots (as suggested above and it worked!).  I steam them in the micro for 5min, then cut in half lenght wise, dd loves them FINALLY!
Title: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Tamara on January 06, 2006, 11:00:39 am
Sea Salt is the same as regular salt except it might not have other ingredients added to it like and anti-caking agent, so some peolpe will deem it healthier on that fact alone.  However, the concerns about salt in our LO's diets are the same issues whether it be regular salt or the healthier-sounding-but-not-really sea salt.

If using salt on your toddler's food (not reccommended for babies at all, well or toddlers really in an ideal world  :roll: ) make sure you limit its use. 

Bear in mind all the food that already has 'hidden salt' in it - eg tinned veggies, bread, butter, cakes/cookies, crisps/chips, fish fingers, chicken nuggets, frozen potato products, tinned spaghetti/baked beans etc
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: splatypus on January 24, 2006, 18:45:27 pm
I'm new to these boards - but am excited to see toddler veggie tips.  My 2 year old used to love veggies, but it's definitely on the decline.

What he will almost always eat:
- pumpkin muffins, carrot cake muffins, zucchini muffins

What he will usually eat:
- scrambled eggs with cheese and spinich cooked in.
- pasta sauce with hidden veggies (grated carrots,grated zucchini, red peppers chopped up, spinich)
- mashed sweet potatos (sometimes with a litlte cinnamon, sometimes with mashed carrots also)

What he will sometimes tolerate:

dipping carrots/zucchini and SOMETIMES red peppers in:  Ketchup (the favorite), salad dressing (be careful of that ranch dressing powder - a lot of times Ranch dressing has MSG!!) - we use a Trader Joe's organic Ranch, and tomato sauce.


look forward to reading more from you guys!
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Meg's Mom on January 25, 2006, 21:56:25 pm
Nice tips splatypus, can you post your receipe for the muffins please...dc loves muffins.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Mommy Moo on January 25, 2006, 22:24:08 pm
My kids love veggies. My 3 year old loves it when I call broccoli "baby trees", or cut carrots into "wheels".  I think presentation is a lot of the battle.  I've also played a little game of sorts with her where I say "What happens to your face when you eat a carrot?" and she'll eat a carrot and make a funny face so it's fun to eat them.  I only do this on occasion though because I don't want to make a habit of that. For the most part though my kids love their veggies anyway and it's not a struggle.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Sylvia. on February 12, 2006, 03:54:40 am
i just posted about meat and vegetables, these are great ideas, i have a very long way to go about learning how to cook for a small child, i am now going to read and reread your tips and try one, wish me luck
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: MomtoRee on February 17, 2006, 19:15:57 pm
I use a lot of the ideas listed, but here are a couple more ideas:

1.  Mix a little cream cheese with smashed mixed veggies, spread on crescent rolls, top with chopped turkey or chicken, and roll up!  Dd loves these and eats them up. 

2.  Veggie lasagna.  Mix thawed chopped spinach, grated carrots, mushrooms, garlic, and any other veggies with pasta sauce.  Layer between noodles and cheese.  For the cheese layer I mix cottage cheese with an egg instead of ricotta cheese so she gets the protein too and mix that with Mozzarella.  As long as there is enough noodles and cheese mixture she shovels it in.

3.  I make turkey meatloaf and mix in smashed veggies with everything else. Same thing with burgers.

4.  Put a little bit of peanut butter on the  cooked veggies.  She loves it on cooked carrot chips and squash sticks.

5.  I make rice/veggie burgers. 

6.  Dd won't eat Green beans warmed out of the can but she will eat them if I put them in the crockpot all day with turkey bacon and onion.  Eats them by the handful like this. 

7.  The last trick I use is when I am fixing dinner and she wants a bite I keep a container of veggies by me to give her.  Seems she eats almost anything while helping me fix dinner. 

We used to have trouble getting her to eat her veggies but now she usually eats them without "tricking" her.  I think that she got used to the taste of them, but I still sneak them in everything that I can when I am cooking.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: mumofone on March 23, 2006, 16:30:24 pm
I have to confess I am not much of a cook, but I do want ds to eat healthy.  Does anyone have quick easy recipes?  I don't eat meat but dh and ds do.  I'm going back to work soon and worrying already  :(
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: belindamom on April 02, 2006, 16:41:28 pm
Hello everyone.  These are such helpful tips.  I have had such trouble with my children.  Both are picky eaters.  Your tips are so helpful to me and I am going to try them.  I have tried everything and the only thing that is helping is a DVD my friend told me about. It is called it's time to eat from tinyguides.com and the DVD shows other kids eating foods.  My son wants to copy the kids on the television screen and the other day asked for a strawberry because another child on the video was eating one - I almost fainted I was so happy!  Maybe this can help other moms out there.    I am also curious..should we be giving our children a multi-vitamin each day>
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: mumofone on April 02, 2006, 18:19:09 pm
Hi belindamom
My sister said her children started eating more veggies after watching 'Charlie and Lola'.  It makes all the vegetables into something exciting and then the little girl eats them all.  Hey whatever works  :)
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: J&Jsmom on June 13, 2006, 19:36:22 pm
Vegetable soup - I make butternut soup, leek, potato and courgette soup, broccoli and potato soup, sweetcorn chowder

Because i have sons, apparently the more revolting you make a food sound, the more likely they are to eat it. So for example, strips of yellow pepper are yellow worms, slices of onion are slugs, sweetcorn pieces are ladybirds etc.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: mum101 on June 24, 2006, 13:02:51 pm
I put DD up on a chair at the bench and she inevitably puts every food on the bench in her mouth!  She gets excited about being up there and 'helping' and thinks its a challenge to grab the food before mum can. 

mashed pumpkin, grated zucchini and leftover bolognese sauce mixed together and put on a toasted 'english muffin' goes down a treat for a snack. 

The best meal for DD is a beef and rice (or soft noodle) dish
Simmer the beef steak in beef stock, cool, then puree.  Add cooked rice, tinned crushed tomatoes, and peas.  I love it too, it tastes mostly of beef and the texture is lovely.  A tasty healthy option.  Freezes well. 

Corn and cauliflower patties were a hit for a while, but seems to be a bit bored of them.  Freeze fairly well too.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: mum101 on June 30, 2006, 04:46:43 am
A recent cooking escapade resulted in DD eating raw pumpkin, zucchini, and sweet potato!  She was hoovering it down. 
Has anyone else seen this happen before?  Or is DD just mad!  ;D
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: fiona1973 on July 02, 2006, 19:18:13 pm
when i make spag bol i put in veg and cos they are covered in the sauce my little one loves it.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: dkjokisch on August 18, 2006, 20:53:57 pm
I put finely grated carrot in anything with orange cheese - mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, etc.  Dd doesn't notice the difference.  It just makes the cheese look clumpy.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: webfoot on August 25, 2006, 09:33:10 am
I swear the best invention in the world is the Pamperd Chef Micro Steamer.

Here is one on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pampered-Chef-Microwave-Rice-Cooker-Steamer_W0QQitemZ270021291055QQihZ017QQcategoryZ20633QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I bought this when Amy was just turning 1, since I've had it we eat steamed veggies every lunch and dinner. You can throw in frozen, canned, fresh. You drain off the fluid and throw in a smidgen of butter, umm, umm. For me as a busy mom I can do a 1/4 cup of forzen veggies in the winter (we have lots of fresh in the summer from our garden) and lickety split before I was serving Kraft mac and cheese, and now we have a tastey Veggie and the bonus is if I eat the left overs and ignore the Kraft. lOL!

It's all good ;-)

Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: MrsKirky on September 01, 2006, 15:02:56 pm
DS has recently started to boycott veggies, too.  He used to love almost all of them, but I think he learned to be picky at the day care - they serve everything, but if you eat all your favorites, you get more of your favorites (for ds, this is fruit and meats).  I have done the grating and hiding thing, too.  We have a VitaMix (really powerful blender) that disguises any veggie any way I want. 

Just a new trick I tried...He didn't like the dried veggies, either, but I bought some freeze-dried corn and tomatoes and peas and he loves them!  They were a little pricy, but I am sure it's temporary, since daddy and mommy both love their veggies! 
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: mom2avie on September 02, 2006, 16:00:15 pm
1. Get creative. Make faces and gobble up eyes and noses. Build a house or boat. Just have fun!

2. Try cooking in every method possible. Boil, steam, leave them raw. And try different sizes and textures.

3. Lead by example.

4. Let the kids pick out new veggies and help with cooking.

Here's the resources I love for ideas, recipes, and nutrtional facts:

http://www.funwith5aday.org
http://www.familyfun.com
http://www.annabelkarmel.com

Ashley
Avery 3.30.04
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: BabyBsMommy on November 22, 2006, 02:34:29 am
DS is a bit younger at almost 11 months but I swear he eats like he's a lot older!  He is usually quite good with veggies but goes through bouts where he turns up his nose.  These are some of my tricks when he does that -
- grilled cheese - I puree some veggies really smooth and spread it on the sandwich before I add the cheese
- soups, especially squash and broccoli ones
- add cheese, lol, and he'll eat almost anything!

Because of his age, I still have the luxury of not putting everything in front of him at once so I take full advantage of this while I can and will often offer him his veggie pieces first.  This way, he is hungriest when he sees them and will eat more of them than when I give him something else he likes better like meat or bread/pasta first!  He will always eat those other things after he takes the edge off his initial hunger with the veggies!
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: mrsmynub on March 27, 2007, 05:55:55 am
Just a question - how hot do you make the soups and are you buying store bought or making them?  I just don't seem to have the time to make my own food and I have never given my 14mo son soup, but he loves to eat and I will do anything to encourage vegetables.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: carolyn on March 27, 2007, 13:06:50 pm
I use boxed soups, sometimes canned, and sometimes make mine.  I usually heat it to boiling (kills any bacteria in it) and then let it cool.  I might add water or milk to help cool it to about lukewarm....jut warm enough not to burn his mouth.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Richelle on April 10, 2007, 12:40:47 pm
Once a week I make a pot of soup, it is very easy and tasty - everyone loves it.

Sautee celery, onion, carrots and garlic in a little olive oil until onions are translucent. 
Add Chicken broth, ususally 2 to 3 cans or a one litre carton and bring to a slow boil
add V8 juice usually 1/2 to 1 litre or however tomatoey you want it to taste.
Add whatever other veggies, easiest is a small package of frozen corn/carrots/peas mixture
Add salt and pepper to taste
Seperately cook and then COOL (important so it doesn't get mushy) whole wheat rotini/penne/shells whichever shape your DC prefers.  Add pasta to cooled soup. 

My friend's DS won't eat 'visible' veggies so she leaves out all veggies but uses more V8 juice and he loves it.

We have this throughout the week for lunches.  It is very tasty and I swear it gives me some crazy energy for the afternoon and DD is very picky and loves this soup.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Grace's Mom on May 08, 2007, 00:51:06 am
Thanks for the great idea's everyone.  :D

Melissa
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Sunshine's Mommy on May 18, 2007, 00:56:48 am
My little one is 15 months and to be honest she does not get a lot of veggies (my fault completely  :-\).  So I'm peeking here to see how you sneak in the veggies in... maybe I'll even borrow a few ideas  ;D
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: BabyBsMommy on May 19, 2007, 18:25:29 pm
I know I've shared a few ideas in the past but here are a few more -

Muffins with veggies!  You can make zucchini or carrot muffins and add extra.  I also have two recipes that are exceptionally sneaky - chocolate zucchini muffins and chocolate eat-your-veggies cupcakes (shredded zucchini and carrot).  I can post them if you'd like.

DS is also a HUGE fan of sugar snap peas (the kind you can eat with the outer shell) - he doesn't always like the shell but loves to eat the little "babies" (baby peas) inside.  He also loves sauteed zucchini - I put a dab of olive oil in a non-stick frying pan, add a bit of minced garlic once the oil is heated and then slice about 1/3 of a zucchini quartered.  Sweet potato fries are also a hit.  I peel and slice them in rounds, spread a tiny bit of olive oil on either side, add a teeny sprinkling of cinnamon and brown sugar and bake them until they are soft.  I slice them into strips like fries.  They freeze amazingly well, too so I always make a big batch and freeze some in single servings.  1 min in the microwave and voila!  Instant veggie thats full of vitamins, counts as a starch and has iron, too.

HTH!
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: mum101 on May 20, 2007, 04:06:19 am
i often give rory frozen peas for a snack, so getting more veges into her day.

but one of the best things we've done is have a vege patch.  The peas in particular never make it to the kitchen because they are fantastic raw straight from the garden.

Raspberries are also fantastic.  She thinks it's terribly cheeky to 'steal' the veges from the garden.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: BabyBsMommy on August 07, 2007, 20:36:34 pm
Someone pm'd me ages ago to post the two veggie muffin/cupcake recipes I mentioned.  Here they are, sorry it took so long!

Eat-Your-Vegetable Chocolate Cupcakes

1 1/4 cups soft non-hydrogenated margarine (300 mL)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (375 mL)
2 eggs (2)
1 tsp vanilla extract (5 mL)
1/2 cup yogurt (125mL)
3/4 cup cocoa powder (175 mL)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (625 mL)
1 tsp baking powder (5 mL)
1 tsp baking soda (5 mL)
1/2 tsp salt (2 mL)
1 cup grated zucchini (250 mL)
1 cup grated carrots (250 mL)
1 can prepared chocolate icing (1)

Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C).  Bet together the margarine, sugar, eggs and vanilla until light and creamy.  Add the yogurt and cocoa powder and beat until smooth.  Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix just until combined.  Fold in the zucchini and carrots.  Place 20 paper liners into cupcake pans.  Fill to the top of th liners.  Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a centre comes out clean.   Let cool then frost with choolate icing.  Makes 20.

*  The frosting part is up to you - I usually don't add it but it depends on who you want to fool, lol!  Also, I usually use 1% plain yogurt.

Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup ground flax seed
2/3 cup canola oil
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 cups unpeeled zucchini, grated
1/2 cups chocolate chips
1 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 F.  In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder, baking soda and flax seed.  Stir until well blended.  In another bowl, cream oil and sugar with electric mixer.  Add eggs and buttermilk.  Mix well.  Add liquid mixture to flour mixture, stirring until just moistened.  Stir in zucchini and chocolate chips.  Spoon batter into lightly greased or paper lined muffin cups, filling to the top.  Bake for 30-35 minutes or until done.  Cool in pan for 10 minutes on wire rack.  Remove from pan and cool.

*  I have substituted skim, 1% and 2% milk for the buttermilk in this recipe.

*  In regard to both recipes, I have adjusted the sugar content by using half of the called for sugar and substituting the other half with Splenda (I have found substituting with all Splenda has not worked well in many recipes).  I also often either use Robin Hood blend nutri-flour which is a combination of white and whole wheat flour or use white and whole wheat flour half and half in most muffin and bread recipes that I use.   Just a little fyi!

Enjoy!  :D
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Jimbob on August 08, 2007, 07:14:30 am
If a child likes mashed potato that is always a great thing to hide other vegetables into. You can also make potato andvegetable patties.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: maggie2 on August 24, 2007, 16:08:12 pm
just posted this on another thread, but realized it fits here as well:

just wanted to share with all of you - great way to get cauliflower in if your lo won't eat it... just steam a head of cauliflower and put it in the blender with 2 Tb butter and enough milk or cream to blend.  my lo will gobble this up (it's like mashed potatoes), but dh proves to be even more difficult to get veggies in - honestly, he's harder to feed than my son, lol!  so what I did for my picky dh was to add 2 small russet potatoes (boiled first, then mashed) and a bit more butter and cream - just told him it was mashed potatoes and he had 2 huge helpings and kept raving about how good they were!   they really are just like mashed potatoes... 
 
 
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Nick's Mum on October 16, 2007, 15:29:36 pm
I hate to be so Asian but if you make stew, porridge, soup or anything more bland (non-creamy, cheese or tomato based), I have found that adding in chopped shallots and a few drops of sesame oil works wonders. It's not much oil but it makes the dish smell so delicious.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: mum101 on October 18, 2007, 09:14:42 am
LOL Maggie 2!

Nick's mum, my DD doesn't like the texture of shallots, I wonder do you chop them finely?  Mine are probably too coarse
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Nick's Mum on October 18, 2007, 09:38:25 am
yes, very finely chopped shallots and once you boil them for a very long time, they tend to melt away. (btw, hopefully we are referring to the same thing coz in different countries, the terms for veggies are sometimes different - I'm referring to very tiny baby red-skinned onions)
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: mum101 on October 19, 2007, 03:51:55 am
LOL, Yep, it's different. That sounds like a small red onion to me, but shallot for me is a bit like a small leek, green stalk, white at the bottom. 
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: maggie2 on October 19, 2007, 18:28:04 pm
Now, I think that sounds like a green onion!!!  lol ;)  I thought a shallot was sort of like a combo between garlic and a red onion - so it looks like a really large clove of garlic, but it's reddish in color and tastes more like an onion...

I don't think I've every really given either to ds - so you're both way ahead of me! ;)
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Nick's Mum on October 22, 2007, 08:47:59 am
Yes, that's exactly it. It's the size of a garlic and the color and taste of red onion but milder. btw, I saw in a cookbook a receipe for tofu with egg custard (savory) and the veggies are mixed in (so it becomes like some sort of tofu/veggie terrine) - double dose of protein! I'll try that soon and let you know.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: jessies mom on October 27, 2007, 14:18:20 pm
Great idea with the sauce! Going to try this...my DD refuses any type of veggie...she used to love them! She is 13 months and has been eating solids sice abot 8 1/2 months. When the baby food started getting chunks she lost interest but would eat any finger foods... So we had to get creative and now we are stuck in a no veggie rut :( Thanks for the ideas!!
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: nilly on August 10, 2008, 19:05:19 pm
our LO will also not eat ANY veggies. bit of a problem as we are vegetarians. we do a lot of shakes in the blender with leafy greans, like kale, swiss chared spinich... add 'greens plus', some goats milk, a spoon of almond/peanut butter (for fats) and some frozen or fresh fruit (bananas with berries). he never has not eaten a shake. at least he is getting his iron fill :)

nilly
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Charlene75 on September 22, 2008, 19:05:25 pm
My son just loves Split Pea Soup. We can add whatever additional veggies and he practically begs for more!!!

Another good way to get veggies in the diet are Morning Star vegetarian foods, Sausages & veggie nuggets.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: nevviemama on October 30, 2008, 17:16:01 pm
Thought I'd chime in here as I had success with something recently. My mother makes (and used to make often when I was younger - maybe that was her secret to get us to eat our veggies!) a topping from butter and bread crumbs for veggies. Simply melt butter in a small sauce pan and when melted, add enough bread crumbs to make a loose paste. Cook for another min or so, then toss with veggies. A little goes a long way and it really tastes awesome and at least there are no additives. I did it today for peas and carrots and my lo just shoveled it all in - and she has staunchly refused peas and other greens lately.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: *Vicki* on October 30, 2008, 21:53:22 pm
Marking my spot here  8) will be back  ;D
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: CCCmom27 on April 04, 2009, 00:34:48 am
Not sure if anyone has mentioned anything like this, but I make pizza at home and put fresh spinach leaves under the cheese.  It's funny how spinach is one veggie ds will actually eat other then sweet potatoes.  He also loves spinach dip on bread.  I guess it's the cheese/spinach combination that he likes!  I can't get him to eat pasta at all or else I'd definitely be trying the veggies mixed in the sauce!  I think it's a texture thing- he's still pretty young.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: lilypotter2009 on August 27, 2009, 08:44:58 am
Ways to get children to eat more fruit and veggies

1. Keep a bowl of fresh fruits on the counter. Refrigerate cut up fruits and vegetables in small bags for easy snacks on the run.
2. Serve fruits and vegetables at every meal. Add grated or cut vegetables into entrees, side dishes, and soups. Top off cereal with fruits or add frozen fruits to smoothies.
3. Set a good example. Snack on fruit and order low-sodium, low-fat salads, soups, or vegetable sides when at restaurants.
4. Pack the refrigerator, freezer and cupboard with pre-cut, frozen and canned vegetables so that it is easier for you to prepare meals and snacks that include vegetables.
5. Let children choose which fruits and vegetables to serve and how to incorporate them into their favorite meals.
6. Make fruits and vegetables fun. Try dressing up sandwiches with faces and smiles made from fruits and vegetables.
7.  Keep trying. For some foods, it may take multiple times before a child acquires a taste for it.
8.  Encourage friends or relatives to offer vegetables and fruits to your children.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: harekrishnamama on March 18, 2010, 14:17:55 pm
Presentation is sometimes very important.
This looks fun and appetising.
(http://blog.craftzine.com/jenny_harada_funny_salad.jpg)
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: MummyToBen on March 18, 2010, 14:31:32 pm
ROFL!!!!   ;D ;D  DS would definately run a mile if he saw that for his dinner  :D :D...I think it's the teeth  ;)

xx
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: *Liz* on March 18, 2010, 19:18:03 pm
Yes - Jacob would be very amused by it all - but wouldn't eat it  ;D.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: harekrishnamama on March 18, 2010, 20:18:35 pm
Ok, maybe for encouroging cooking with mother rather than eating!
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Mom to M&M on May 20, 2010, 18:28:23 pm
Thought I'd chime in here as I had success with something recently. My mother makes (and used to make often when I was younger - maybe that was her secret to get us to eat our veggies!) a topping from butter and bread crumbs for veggies. Simply melt butter in a small sauce pan and when melted, add enough bread crumbs to make a loose paste. Cook for another min or so, then toss with veggies. A little goes a long way and it really tastes awesome and at least there are no additives. I did it today for peas and carrots and my lo just shoveled it all in - and she has staunchly refused peas and other greens lately.

OK I realize this is an old post but this sounds really good and I'm going to try it tonight I think - hopefully at least one of the two kiddos will eat it (if not DH and I will at least enjoy it!)
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: liamandfinnleymommy on July 15, 2010, 02:51:04 am
I've got a couple of soup recipes where most of the veggies are either mashed or blenderized, so the veggies are well hidden. They work pretty well with my DS.

1) Carrot and Dill Soup

Chop & Saute: 4 carrots, 3 celery sticks, 2 med. onions and 2 med potatoes.
Add: 2L chicken stock
Cook for about 20 mins. Puree in blender.
Add: 1/4C dry dill, 2 bay leaves, juice from one orange, salt and pepper to taste.
Cook for about 30mins longer and enjoy!

2) Veggie Soup

Chop and put in large pot: 1-3 potatoes, 1 head cauliflower/broccoli/any other veggies, 1 med onion
Cover with water and simmer til soft.
Mash thoroughly
Add 2 C peas

Blend 1/2 - 1 C cashews in water just to cover til fine.
Add parsley, garlic salt, chicken seasoning.
Mix into veggie mixture and heat.

Another trick that works well with Liam: mixing pureed or mashed veggies with brown beans. He LOVES brown beans, so he'll scarf down anything if it's mixed in!
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Lemonthyme on July 23, 2011, 18:50:00 pm
Hi, we've not got to the "I won't eat that" stage with my 14 month old, at least not in an impossible way but I've always hidden veg in food because my husband isn't that good with the green stuff. 

Here are a few hidden veg recipes:

http://mamacook.blogspot.com/2011/07/bolognaise-adults-and-babies.html
http://mamacook.blogspot.com/2011/05/spinach-and-feta-mini-muffins.html
http://mamacook.blogspot.com/2011/05/restaurants.html
http://mamacook.blogspot.com/2011/06/salmon-and-spinach-fishcakes-for-babies.html
http://mamacook.blogspot.com/2011/05/quesadillas-ok-for-adults-12-months.html
http://mamacook.blogspot.com/2011/02/dahl-getting-braver-with-lumps-and.html
http://mamacook.blogspot.com/2011/01/short-nursing-strikes-and-easy-sauce.html
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Lemonthyme on July 23, 2011, 18:58:36 pm
My LO is still little but when he's a bit older, I'm going to grow vegetables with him because I figure if he sees them grow he might be interested.  Well I am growing tomatoes and french beans this year, he's not been that involved but I do show him the plants in the garden.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Om in Mom on November 23, 2011, 11:17:01 am
Wow, there are some fab ideas here. I've hopped on board because my DS2 (he'll be 3 in Feb) is quite a picky eater. I never really paid too much attention because I thought if you pander to them too much (by hiding veggies etc.) they'll never learn to eat them properly. Well, that tactic worked for my DS1, who's a great eater, but not so for DS2. He's only had hidden vegetables for as long as I can remember. Oh wait, maybe I just confirmed my hypothesis! What do you ladies think about hiding veg? Do they eventually grow out of their fussiness? I really hope so!
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: Lemonthyme on November 23, 2011, 12:14:50 pm
I think you do both; hide veg so there's a safety net and offer finger veg, that way you can feel more chilled out if they take them or not.
Title: Re: Tips for encouraging veggies
Post by: roimata9 on November 29, 2012, 06:08:19 am
One thing I've just started that has worked really well is to offer tiny portions. EG for dinner tonight, he started with 2 pieces of mushroom, 2 pieces of cauliflower, 3 carrots sticks, 3 pieces of asparagus and 3 pieces of fish - all bite sized. He was hungry so ate it all, and then I filled up his (tiny) plate again. This time with 3 of every thing. He went through about 5 plates before he started throwing things on the floor.
If I had given it all to him at once, he would have eaten the fish, the carrots and some cauliflower before getting full, and not trying the asparagus or mushrooms.
I also don't give any carbs at his main meals, just at snack time, as he was filling up with carbs and not wanting the meat of veges.
Hope that's useful to people!