What do you think of sneaking veggies into kids' food?

Question

do you think it sorta sabotages teaching them to *chose* to eat veggies on their own if you trick them into eating them?

Answer 1

Sneak it in....and also put it on the side.

Answer 2

I think it's smart! Some kids just will not eat vegetables and forcing them isn't recommended by a pediatrician on the planet. If you're sneaky about it then they get the nutrition they need without causing them to develop bad attitudes towards food & eating. Everyone wins. =]

Answer 3

I don't like the idea of sneaking veggies into foods.  Instead of tricking the kids, help them find the veggies that they like, in forms that they like, so that they will learn how to eat healthy meals.   I don't mind mixing the veggies in with other foods, if that's the way that the kids can deal with it.  But, let them know that they are eating vegetables & that they are healthy for them

Answer 4

I think it is a great idea.  Some kids are picky.  Think about it, do eat now what you ate as a child?  Too many parent's let their children do the "choosing" these days, even if what they choose is the wrong choice.

Answer 5

I have 4 children under 7.  They are all required to eat veggies at dinner every night.  I might have veggies in a casserole or something also; nothing wrong with adding a few more.  But, they need to be able to eat veggies by themselves.  Also, it's difficult to get the amount of veggies they really need if you're only hiding them in other foods.

Answer 6

you can sneak veggies in but if you keep it up buy trying to get them to try them on there own they will eat them. study's show a child must try something at least 15 - 20 times before they will start to like them. I make my children try 1 bite of veggies every meal and my 10 year old is VERY picky. but i stuck to it makeing him eat carrots, green beans and peas and it took some time but he now eats all his veggies and at times asks for more.

Answer 7

I think it is potentially a bad idea to sneak in the veggies, specifically if you are trying to "trick" a picky eater.  If they were to catch you at it, they may decide they don't trust what you give them anymore and it will be even harder to get them to eat.  Instead, just put your foot down.  Insist that they will eat a spoonful of their veggies at every meal.  My kids give me no problem about anything I feed them, they even like several veggies that I can't stand!

Answer 8

let them chose on their own ha! then they won't eat any my daughter only likes corn and broccoli so when i make other things i sneak them in like with mashed potatoes or a casserole. she does it salad so I make sure i have salad with dinner every night and since she doesn't like salad dressing I dont feel bad.

Answer 9

If as Jessica Seinfeld said herself she has the unhidden veggies on the plate too then why wouldn't you.  I am all for making tasty food healthier.  I often add wheat germ or nutritional flakes to food (both with lots of B vitamins) or bake with apple sauce instead of shortening.  Then you get that extra nutrition kick without the boredom of what people normally think of as healthy eating.

It's better if you start early with not making any food a big deal.  My kids love junk food but one begs for cherry tomatoes and another devours any type of berry.

Answer 10

You are fine doing that. I would keep trying to give them veggies.

Answer 11

It does defeat the purpose, but it does so because they learn that their bodies don't need veggies.  We're taught that toddlers will eat what their bodies need if given the opportunity.  If they're lacking in vitamin C they will probably eat their oranges over their bananas.  If they're lacking in potassium they will eat their bananas over their oranges.  It's a natural instinct to know what foods provide what nutrients.  It's the same thing that happens during cravings during pregnancy.  If a child is eating veggies with out knowing it, he won't have that nutritional need that needs to be filled with veggies.  Yes, he's getting the veggies, but he doesn't know it, and instinctively it's a bit confusing.

What's even more confusing is that you try to teach him that he needs to eat vegetables to grow up to be strong and healthy, yes?  But then you sneak veggies in so he eats them with out knowing, and he thinks he is growing up strong and healthy with out them.  He doesn't know he's eating them, so he doesn't know that he really needs them.  Make sense at all?  I'm confused reading it, but oh well.

Answer 12

Tell them they should eat it or else they wont get a bedtime snack, or they have to go to bed earlier.

Answer 13

You gotta do what it takes! I sneak cauliflower into mashed potatoes (not from a box, make real taters), carrots into pumpkin pie, and mashed peas into gravy. You can't tell the difference! Even my husband hasn't figured it out.

Answer 14

You gotta do what you gotta do!!!! I don't think it sabotage at all. They will realize one day that "that wasn't so bad"! Good Luck!

Answer 15

if you are the parent, feeding your child veggies is not considered "sneaking".  serve meals with choices from all food groups and eat them yourself.  consider having the children help shop & prepare the meals.

Answer 16

I'm a 'kid' (well teenager) and I hate most veggies, but if I don't taste them, great, I'm happy, my moms happy, whats wrong with that?

Answer 17

I have been known to sneak pureed veggies into meatloaf and fruits into pancakes. I do it to supplement the veggies and fruits that they do eat. my 2.5 year old will wrestle  you for your broccoli...and he loves strawberries and blueberries.

Answer 18

I have the same problem with my kids!!! They will not eat veggies to save their lives! This is how I solved this. My kids love juice so I started to make my own juice and just threw some veggies in there and walla!!!! They get their veggie intake and they dont even know about it! Good luck!

Answer 19

No I don't get what the big deal is with vegtables & kids I always ate my vegetables, I think you need to educate your kids about why fruit & veg are so important.....I think sneaking in vegetables is setting a bad example & not teaching them anything.

Answer 20

When it comes to their heath, nutrition is of great importance. If you can sneak in some extra veggies here and there, I say go for it. I don't think it sabotages anything. Keep on offering different fruits and veggies and also maybe let them grow some of their own. They may be more likely to eat something they've had a hand in growing.