Veggie trays aren’t just for parties. Here’s how making one every week can help your whole family eat healthier!
Do you love holiday buffets? I do. I love the fudge and the cookies and the soft cheeses you spread on fancy party crackers with those tiny knives.
But I also gravitate to the veggie trays. When vegetables are already washed and chopped and served on a plate alongside a delicious dip, it feels like a treat.
Over the holidays, I was dunking my thousandth broccoli floret into creamy dip when it occurred to me that I could easily replicate this treat at home. Couldn’t any old day be special enough for a veggie tray?
So on Sunday, I made one. While I was photographing it, my third grader walked by and snagged two carrot sticks. When I set it out on the table that night, he finished all the snap peas. Last night he crunched through all the red peppers while I demolished the broccoli. In just two days, we’re both eating more veggies–just because they’re there.
| You might also like: Here’s How Many Fruits & Veggies Kids Need Every Day |
How to Make a Weekly Veggie Tray
- Buy a variety of veggies each week, such as carrots, celery, peppers, snap peas and snow peas, cucumbers, broccoli, and cauliflower.
- Wash and chop everything and arrange it on a plate or tray.
- Nestle one or two small dishes of dip within the veggies. (Here’s why I’m okay with my kids loving ranch dressing.)
- Bring out the veggie tray at meals, snack time, or when your kids are hungry before dinner and you don’t want them filling up too much (or when you’re cooking dinner and need something to nibble).
- Keep the veggie tray covered in your fridge (bonus points for having extra washed and chopped vegetables on reserve so you can refill it mid-week.
It’s super simple, but it works.
And maybe it will work for you too. So here’s to making healthy choices easy (and a little bit special-feeling) all year long!
Hi! I'm Sally, a dietitian-mom.
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Elise says
This was just the push I needed to get myself some “snacking vegetables” in the fridge. I don’t really have the fridge real estate for a whole tray, but I found some single-serving hummus cups at Costco that inspired me to stock up on baby carrots, mini bell peppers and snap peas for snacks! I’m trying to really improve my eating habits this month after a month and a half of indulgence, and this is a great way to do so. Yesterday I was actually excited to eat my veggies!
Sally says
Elise–I am so happy to hear that! 🙂
Christine says
Hi! I love this idea! How did you make the dip? I cannot wait to do this!
Sally says
Christine–the dip in the photo was just ranch dip. 🙂 That’s what my son likes so that’s what we have around.
Kit Broihier says
I love this post! When my kids were younger and STARVING as I hustled around to prepare dinner, a small veggie tray was typically what I gave them to munch on until dinner was ready. Thanks for the nice reminder Sally!
Sally says
Thanks Kit!
Paula says
I love this idea! This year during our holiday party I set out yummy fruit & veggie platters along with mixed nuts, rather than the usual not so healthy appetizers. I didn’t like the idea of feeling like I have to set out junk, just because it’s a party or special occasion. What you describe in your blogs is so true, everyone was eating veggies & fruits! Especially the kids! Had I set out other “goodies” I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t have been so popular. Later we enjoyed our meal & yes after that we did indulge in desserts! However , I feel good that we didn’t completely fill up on junk & enjoyed a healthy balance
By the way I love your blog!
Vestifarian says
I recently started putting a bowl of cut veggies and fruits on the table at lunch, instead of putting them directly on the kids plates. Seems like they eat more if helping themselves from a communal bowl than if I dictate what is “theirs”. And as a win-win, i usually end up eating the leftovers once they’re done!!
Sally says
That’s interesting that they eat more when out of a communal bowl!
Diane Stenglein says
I’ve started this one too – either just veggies or a few piles of crackers and cheese and turkey pepperoni along with a lot of veggies and hummus. My son, in particular, is a grazer, so I know, even if he doesn’t want dinner, he’s had a few food groups