How to get your children to eat more fruits and veggies!

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As I was drinking my green smoothie during therapy , one of my students said "ewww, what is that?"

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 Then I realized, nowadays kids reach out for fish crackers, candy, chocolate bars, sugary cereals  etc...( the real "ewww") before fruits or vegetables.  I know some people who go on the whole day heck few days without fruits or vegetables....yup that was me few years ago. Then I would complain " why am I so constipated?"
Think about it, why would a 4 year old go for kale if he has candy on a daily basis?? Kale tastes horrible to them and they don't know that it is packed with vitamins and minerals. All they know is kale looks green and disgusting in comparison to the colorful lollipops packed with sugar, chemicals, dyes to name the few.
Since I started this healthy journey and educated myself, I became more open to fruits and veggies especially the vegetables.  My taste buds have changed and I enjoy eating and drinking greens.  Then I started looking at my own children and how much fruits and vegetables they don't eat.  My oldest is way more open to anything, he enjoys food ; however, my daughter is very picky.... At this moment, my son eat a variety of fruits and vegetables , a salad with dinner. In addition, my daughter eats more fruits and a salad with dinner. She also eats cucumbers!!! "Hooray" ( this is what she says LOL)  So here are the few tips that worked with my  kids, hopefully they will work with yours ( I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment or two ;) )

1. Lead by example: I didn't force my kids to eat more fruits and vegetables. I started eating and drinking more fruits and vegetables. Then they were curious to try, sometimes they would like it and at times not.  My daughter saw me eat a huge salad for dinner daily for at least a year before she tried the lettuce but you know what now she eats a small salad every evening. Keep the dressing simple: our dressing is lemon juice, some sea salt, and grape seed oil.   
2. Make smoothies: Make smoothies for you and your kids. Drink with them and you will be surprised , they will drink theirs and yours ;) Make the smoothies sweet and add the greens.  Bananas and dates are so sweet, add some spinach or celery and blend; they won't even taste the difference.  We are a picky family , if we can handle green veggies in the smoothies, I think any person can :) P.S: Pineapples are strong too so if you add a variety of greens with pineapples , u will only taste the latter and barely the greens. 
3. Throw away the junk: if they don't have it available , they won't reach for it.... if they can't see it for a while they won't miss it anymore.  When they do ask for junk, educate and explain to them ( even If they are little, they will understand) why it's not allowed in your household. 
4. Keep your house abundant with all kinds of fruits and vegetables: after they get used not seeing the junk and consistently seeing the beautiful colors of fruits and vegetables they will start asking for them.
5. Pack them fruits and/or veggies for school: they may throw it away or give it to someone but if they see how consistent you are they will eat it...they are hungry and they don't have a choice ! They are not going to like cucumbers or radishes at first, but be patient, and consistent their taste buds will change. Some kids may take longer than others but they will get there if you hang in there and do not give in.  Example: one morning, it took my daughter crying for at least an hour ( I need to explain a little as some may think I am too "extreme"- the crying was on and off and it was the whiny crying not the running out of breath I am in danger crying...the seeking attention cry which can be tuned out and tolerable LOL), throwing a tantrum for another 30 minutes( also on and off, I really didn't time it here guys ) before she gave in and ate the fruits I gave her for breakfast. The bottom line is I was consistent and she saw that!  Am I a cruel mom? Maybe some people view it this way; however, I think cruel moms are the ones letting their children eat junk and not forcing some discipline and increasing fruits and veggies in the house.



Eating her veggies ~@bzhealthymama on Instagram

I am sure there are many articles talking about this subject and there are many more tips but the ones I mentioned are the ones that worked with my kids and my family.  I hope they will work for yours....try them out, you have nothing to lose :) Please comment if you have any tips that worked in your household !

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