This has to be one of the questions I’m asked most often! If your little one won’t eat their veggies, you’re not alone! Some love them but others just aren’t interested!

There is no “perfect” vegetable that provides all of the vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and enzymes needed for a growing toddler therefore variety is key! The more variety the better! Making small changes and adding veg in different ways can really contribute over the course of a day.

I’ve put together a list of simple ideas to encourage your little ones to try a variety of vegetables in a fun and engaging way. Being consistent and persistent is key, some children need over 15 exposures to a food before even trying it!

Top tips to eating more vegetables:


 1.  Lead by example! Role model eating and enjoying vegetables. Watching you enjoy food at mealtimes is powerful and encouraging.

2. Get them involved with the shopping! It’s a great opportunity to talk about different vegetables and perhaps let them pick one they’d like to try.

3. Serve new vegetables/vegetables they don’t enjoy alongside favourite and familiar foods without any pressure. Keep the serving small as you don’t want to overwhelm them.

4. Add flavour! Roasting vegetables along with simple slices and adding them to pasta/curries can make a difference.

5. Use cutters to make veggies fun! New and interesting shapes can really spark their interest!

6. Get your little ones in the kitchen! Even touching, smelling and playing with vegetables counts as an exposure.

7. Don’t give up! It took over a year for my son to enjoy cauliflower. I offered it every week in a variety of ways.

8. Experiment with colour and texture. You may find they prefer steamed veggies over roasted or are more willing to try red peppers as opposed to green! My son’s favourite colour is red and he’ll always try something that is red!

9. Give them a choice! Kids feel so empowered when they have a say! For example, asking would you like carrot or peas with dinner. Or letting them pick what veggies they’d like on their pizza.

10. If you little ones enjoys dips, serve veggies alongside for dipping and dunking!