Want to get your children eating more veggies and fruits? Have a finicky child who won’t touch any greens or anything that is good for her, for that matter? Then you would do well to know how to hide the appearance and taste of these foods in their favorite dishes – or at least combine them with some new, fun foods that they have not gotten to try yet.
Chili
This cold weather comfort meal is easy for you to use as a base for sneaking in a few veggies. You can start out with beef or pork, and then add in the usual beans. Tomatoes are a common addition, along with onions, peppers, and even green beans and spinach. The slight heat and blend of spices make it so that the vegetables will likely not be noticed so easily.
Disguising the Taste of Veggies and Fruits for Kids
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Of course, spaghetti already has a marinara sauce with tomatoes, but you also can add in peppers, onions, and tiny broccoli florets. If you’d rather stay away from wheat or whole grain pasta, you can go with noodles made from something like squash or zucchini for a different texture and only minimal veggie flavor. You can find more ideas like these online on sites like Serenity Kids.
Homemade Pancake Mix
Pancakes are a family favorite, and especially beloved by kids of all ages. Picky eaters even will like pancakes that are made using mashed bananas as one of the ingredients. Some other ways to include healthy ingredients are by chopping up apples into little pieces to include in the batter, making a fruit syrup out of blueberries or another berry, and chopped fruit such as pears or berries hidden in with whipped cream.
Burgers
If you make burgers from scratch (starting with ground beef), you can put in some chopped baby spinach, tomato paste, finely chopped onions and more into the mix. Make it a fun time with fixings to put on top, such as lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, and onions. You also may try putting avocado pieces or spread on it for a great flavor. If you model healthy eating at mealtimes with your children, they are much more likely to try new things.
