The Best Trick to Get Your Kids Eating More Veggies (Really)
As I sit down to write this month’s article, it’s still unclear as to how going back to school will look like for our kiddies. As frustrating as that can be, I have faith in the system that they will choose an approach that will keep both our kids and our teachers safe in the classroom. With that said, I’m here to talk to you about healthy eating and how it can still play a leading a role regardless of the back to school situation this month.
One thing we like to do in our house to make sure we have easy, grab-n-go snacks that are both healthy and effortless is to prepare a “veggie bucket” weekly to keep in the fridge. What’s a veggie bucket you ask? Great question!
I got this idea from a good friend and fellow RD, Jennifer Broxterman.
It’s something I share with every one of my clients. I have to say it’s one of those healthy tricks to get your kids eating more veggies. Parents love this idea because it makes their lives a bit easier each week. It will take you about 30-60 min to prepare weekly, but it’s time well-invested in setting you up for healthy snacking success for the rest of the week!
Veggie Bucket: The Trick to Getting Your Kid to Eat More Veggies
Step 1
Buy all your favorite veggies when out getting groceries. Here are some vegetable ideas: bell peppers (red, orange, yellow or green), broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, radishes, red or purple cabbage, snow peas, sugar snap peas, tomatoes – cherry or grape, zucchini.
Step 2
Clean and cut up your veggies into snack-size pieces when you get home from the grocery store.
Step 3
Arrange veggies into a large Tupperware or container for the fridge. You can also keep them in a large ziplock, or into multiple snack bag servings for when you need a healthy snack on the go. I would suggest waiting to cut the cucumbers as they may not last as long in the fridge (nobody likes slimy cucumber) or buy the mini cukes – that way you don’t even need to cut them up – just bite and chew!
Step 4
Eat your veggies! I like to pair my veggies with a dip – either hummus or tzatziki. Sometimes I make a homemade plain, non-fat Greek yogurt mixed with my favorite spices and a bit of lemon. Every now and then I cheat and use the Club House ‘Salads’n Dips’ packages (my fave is creamy dill) or I’ll throw in a pack of onion soup mix.
I hope this tip helps set you up for veggie-eating success for what can be the crazy, hectic back-to-school life.
Jenn Giurgevich is the founder of Spark Nutrition & Health, a virtual nutrition consulting business.
Visit www.sparknutritionandhealth.ca for more information.
