Getting the children involved

The one thing we hear the most from parents is that they're finding it so hard to get their children to eat fruits and vegetables. It can be that they don't want to try anything new, that they struggle with texture, or that they simply don't want to eat as much as we'd ideally like them to do. 

There is not one simple answer to any of this, and I'll be the first to put up my hand and let you know that it's certainly not plain sailing in our house. But that doesn't mean that we throw in the towel and give up. It just means that we have to step carefully, be patient, and look for tools that can help us lower our shoulders just a little bit. 

In our house we have implemented a few strategies:

- We always have fruit available

- We often cut up raw veg and have a pot of hummus with dinner

- We always talk about what the different colours of fruit and vegetables are good for, eg red is good for the heart (yes, this is simplistic, but it really works with the children)

- Pudding is often plain (coconut) yoghurt with fruit and some nuts on top

- For the past 5 years the children have also been a part of the Healthy Starts for Families Programme and the positive difference and attitude we've seen in their interest in fruit and vegetables as a result of this is very encouraging.