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Tricks For Getting Your Child To Eat More Veggies + Kid-Friendly Produce Recipes {Indy Style}

By Lori Taylor

Apr 12, 2018, Updated Jun 01, 2021

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Does your kid go running when you offer him a veggie? Mama, you are not alone! It’s a struggle every parent knows well. But there are easy and effective ways to encourage kids to try new fruits and veggies. And getting them to try new produce items is half the battle. Once kids give something a chance, they often like it. Especially when that item prepared in a kid-friendly way.

Earlier on Indy Style, The Produce Moms™ Ambassador Candace shared clever ideas on how to get kids to eat more fruits and veggies. Here’s a recap of the appearance and each of the recipes Candace shared:

Housemade Ranch Dip

One way to encourage kiddos to eat their veggies is by providing them with a dip. Dips are fun and delicious and kids love them! Our motto: If they dip it, they will eat it!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 Cup Mayo
• 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
• 1 Cup Buttermilk
• 1 TBSP Fresh Chopped Chives
• 1 TBSP Fresh Parsley
• 1 tsp Fresh Chopped Dill
• Small Squeeze of Fresh Lemon Juice
• 2-3 pinches Kosher Salt
• Fresh Black Pepper

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream and mix well, until combined.
2. Add Lemon juice, salt, pepper, and herbs, still until thoroughly combined.
3. Taste, and adjust salt or pepper as needed.
4. Chill covered until ready to serve. Serve with veggies.

*Recipe credit: FoodLoveTog

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon and Parmesan

Asparagus is probably not one of your child’s favorite foods. If it is, count yourself lucky! But for the rest of us, we can entice our kids to eat just about any veggie by adding a little cheese!

Ingredients:

• Asparagus Spears
• Kosher Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic Powder
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
• Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

Lemon Lavender Thyme Infused Water

There’s no denying that water is a great way to hydrate, but many kids turn their noses up at plain water. One way to entice children to drink more water is by adding tasty produce-powered flavors.

Ingredients:

• Water
• Lavender Buds
• Thyme
• Lemon
• Ice

Directions:

1. Add lavender buds, thyme, lemon slices and ice to water.
2. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes (the longer the water sits, the more infused flavor it will have). 

Get creative with your infused water combinations. Here are some of our other favorite combinations. 

Chunky Marinara

Sometimes you just have to be sneaky to get your kids to eat their veggies. This chunky marinara sauce is hiding 3 whole carrots! The bright red color of the sauce conceals the carrots and kids are none-the-wiser.

Ingredients:

• 3 Carrots, grated
• 1 can Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 can Whole Tomatoes
• 1/2 Cup Water
• 1 TBSP fresh garlic
• 1 Medium Diced Onion
• 1/2 TBSP Sugar
• Pinch of Salt
• Fresh Cracked Pepper
• 2 Fresh Basil Leaves, minced
• 1 TBSP Olive Oil

Directions:

1. In a nice size stock pot, heat olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook until they begin to become translucent.
2. Add both cans of tomatoes, ½ cup of water, salt, fresh pepper basil leaves and carrots.
3. Stir to combine, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 25-30 minutes. Stir frequently. Serve over your child’s favorite pasta.

*Recipe adapted from FoodLoveTog 

Chocolate “Pudding”

This is another sneaky recipe that kids love and mom’s love to serve. It hides an entire avocado! Blended avocado has a creamy texture that is very similar to pudding. Your kids will never know the difference. This is also a great option for children who are dairy intolerant as it is 100% dairy-free.

Ingredients:

• 1 Avocado
• 1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
• 1/4 Cup Honey
• Pinch of Salt

Directions:

1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mash 1 avocado with a fork. Add cocoa powder, honey. Blend with a hand blender until smooth.

*Recipe credit: Thriving Home

Thanks for watching! Be sure to tune in again next month.

What is your best trick for getting your children to eat fruits and veggies? Share in the comments below.