Wish Your Family Ate More Veggies? Try These 7 Moves.

 I’ve written about my no-snacks-except-veggies-in-the-hour-before-dinner-house-rule before (read My Pre-Dinner Snack Strategy). It’s worked wonders around here. It takes the edge off of hunger (but they’re still hungry for dinner). And if they skip their veggies at dinner, I don’t fret–they’ve already nibbled on some before they even got to the table. (Also, the word “platter” seems to elevate any offering I give them.)

 Even if you think they won’t eat them. Because they just might–especially if you keep portions of other foods a bit smaller.

Make them for yourself and your kids. But don’t be sneaky about it. Let them see you putting spinach in the blender or carrots in the juicer–and enlist them to help! (Get this recipe for Peach & Vanilla Green Smoothie)

And fried rice. And noodle dishes. They’re easy vehicles for tossing in veggie odds and ends. And in my house, soy sauce has the power to make veggies much more appealing. (Get this recipe for Peanut Butter Noodles With Carrots & Broccoli)

 Your kids aren’t salad eaters? Make them “starter salads”, like the one shown above. This is actually how I got my husband eating vegetables too: I made tiny bowls of 3-4 lettuce leaves, covered in croutons and a favorite dressing. Now he orders salads in restaurants. (I am so proud!) My fifth grader has graduated to a bigger bowl. My first grader is still warming up to the idea. But I’m not giving up! (Read: Starter Salads: Teaching My Kids To Love Greens.)

Our stash of fresh fruits and veggies tends to wane by the end of the week, so I get twice-monthly produce drop-offs from Green Bean Delivery (shown above). It’s a nice way to refresh our stock and gives me incentives to serve more veggies. If you’re not in Green Bean’s delivery area, check out Farmbox Direct, which delivers organic produce to large areas of the East and parts of the Midwest. They recently sent me a box to try, and I was impressed by how much produce came in the small box (and how fresh it was).

 

This post is part of the #LoveHealthy Veggie Campaign, which is all about tips, recipes, and strategies for getting more veggies into your family’s day.

Follow these other #LoveHealthy bloggers:

• Don’t Panic Mom (our fearless leader)
• Foodlets
• Produce for Kids
• Mom’s Kitchen Handbook
• Simple City Life
• The Hanging Spoon
• Real Kids Eat Spinach
• Teeny Tiny Foodie
• Laughing Lemon Pie
• Super Healthy Kids
• Teaspoon of Spice

We’re posting ideas and resources all month. So don’t miss out! “Like” our Facebook page to see all the posts and enter giveaways. Follow our Pinterest Board, which is loaded with ideas and recipes for veggies that will knock everyone’s socks off.