My Kids Eat Vegtables

We know lots of things are good for us without actually ever doing them.  Mine is flossing.  Honestly, I do floss, but not twice a day and not even every day.  Why?  Because my teeth are healthy (I promise) and because you can't make me!  One small way I try to gain control and take back the power is by doing something that I think I'm getting away with.  No, it is not that big a deal but it is one of the reasons your kids won't eat vegetables, or fruit, or meat, or whatever you tell them they have to.  Because they do not really have to and they can gain some control by refusing.  So, because I love you and because my email handle is advicegratis I will share some ideas that have worked in my home. 
1.  Know When You Are Beat.  I never tell my kids they have to eat anything.  They are free to refuse.  They may go hungry.  They may not eat anything later.  They may have to wait until the next meal to eat.  That is their choice.   They have the power.  Knowing they have the power and knowing I mean what I say they feel free to eat or not eat.  (Rules: you eat a variety of foods not 5th helping of meat w/o veggies and fruit and grains and dairy) 
2.  Good Mommy vs. Nice Mommy.  I assure my children that I do love them and want what is best for them.  This means that if I give them dessert or "junk" when they do not have good stuff in their system first I would be a bad parent.  Yes, a 3 year old can understand this.  I do not hold dessert out and tantalize them with it.  I simply offer it if they have eaten a balanced meal.  We do not have dessert every night but we do have a balanced meal every night. (Fine, most nights.)
3.  I Cook.  If you visit a restaurant that smells delicious from the parking lot things start clicking in your body and you get hungry.  I try my darnedest to cook full meals; encouraging the kids to "take a look," "smell this," or "imagine what it will taste like."  Another way to think of this is to prep the kids while you prep the meal.  I often ask for their help getting stuff out of the fridge or pantry (they are too young to do much else) but try asking yours to chop, rip, measure, pour or mix.  Ask them to taste something and see if they think it needs more spice because you are not sure.  (This one is especially great for boys because they can "rescue" mom in her time of need.)
4.  Exaggerate.  When my hubby or I try something on our plate and discuss how good it is and why you can bet one of my kids will slyly reach a hand up to their plate and try that too.  Makes sense right? 
5.  Be Honest.  If it is gross be honest.  They will never trust your opinion if every vegetable is delicious or if you try to tell them the cookie is horrible (so they really wouldn't want to eat it anyway.)  I've made stuff that gets spit out by everyone at the table.  It's OK.  We also have some foods that we say are "OK, but not my favorite."  It doesn't always have to be love/hate.
6.  Games!  Here are some games we've used that work for us. 
-Thumbs Up.  Do this for new foods.  Everyone tries it and rates a thumbs up or down.  If it is a majority thumbs up we keep the recipe. We do this for new fruits we try or desserts too. 
-Make a List.  We have a page with a running list of things we've tried and liked.  My kids will say "add it to the list Mom!"  Then when I'm making the menu for the week I can reference that list and be sure to include some of their fav.s. 
-Give the Food a New Name.  Asparagus was Green Spears for a long time.  Brussels are still Green Power Balls.  Red Bell Peppers we just call Red Bells.  (Pepper is a scary word.)  Bananas can be Telephones.  All avocados we call Guacamole because my kids will eat guacamole while they will not eat plain avocados. 
-Play 1-2-3 Go.  We all get a piece to try and someone shouts "1-2-3 Go" and we all try it.  This one is not fool proof, but since they don't get to vote without trying it they usually want their voice to be heard and will do it eventually. 
-Name the Recipe After the Kid.  Mentally I'm much better prepared to eat something served to me with my name on it that I know I liked last time.  My sons discovered that he liked the leaves of the baked Brussels but not the whole Brussels.  A new recipe was born.  I "leaf" the Brussels, mix them with some EVOO, sprinkle a pinch each of salt and sugar, mix and transfer to a baking sheet where I bake them at 350 until brown on edges.  They are crunchy and super great on top of salads.  This is called "Ryan's Brussels."

Go exaggerate, but be honest, have fun, make it interesting, and pick your battles. Let me know what you try and what works (or doesn't work) for you!

 Happy Eating!