Integrating Veggies into More Meals

admin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:59:49 +0000

In health class today, every student was given a task to develop a short term goal that was to be completed in 1-2 months. Mine was to try and eat 1-2 servings of vegetables each day for 8 weeks. However, here are some of the questions that arose while making this goal that i hope you can answer.

What are the advantages and disadvantages to eating vegetables each day?
Are there any ways to integrate vegetables into my diet in a tasteful manner because i HATE veggies?
Is it absolutely necessary to eat vegetables each day or is it possible to substitute fruit instead?
What is the best kind of vegetable to eat? In other words, which vegetable has the most nutrients and minerals?

Thank you for taking some of your time to help answer these questions,

Albert

Dear Albert,

All foods fit in moderation! In other words, there are no disadvantages to eating vegetables. However, you should attempt to get the servings of vegetables that you need per day for your body. Check out www.mypyramid.gov for specific nutrition information on amounts for you. In terms of not liking vegetables, you could try at least one new vegetable or fruit each week. To enliven meals, switch from the old, familiar green beans, apples and bananas to okra, papaya and kiwi. Also try putting fruit in your vegetables. Add sliced or chopped apples, pears, grapes, melon, kiwi and orange sections to tossed, spinach and cabbage salads. Experiment with fruits and vegetables to find out which ones are the best for YOU!

Mother of a Picky Eater

jzajac — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:28:58 +0000

Concerned parent: My daughter is 6 years old. She has been a successful picky eater since she was 2. She is a carb baby. No meats or fish. Her only veggies are carrots and corn. Carrotts only with ketchup. Thank goodness my husband makes homemade pizza, that is her favorite. She can eat white rice, plain pasta (some), chinese plain brown noodles, God bless peanut butter, Micky D” fries (always wants fries, but they have to be crunchy). Some cereal in the am. As for fruits grapes, when I force her to eat some banana she eats it. She does not volunteer to try new foods, and does not like to be offered to try. She is strong and healthy and very smart and independent for her age. I feel awful that she does not try new foos and eats properly. I have been told to starve her until she eats what I serve, but I cannot do that. My oldest daughter is 8 and she eats everything and tries everything. My husband is a terrific chef. I don”t get it. Could you give some advise ~ I have concerns that this bad habbit will not go away. Thanks for your help.

Dear Mother of a Picky Eater,

I know this can be a challenge to many parents! Do the best you can to involve your picky eater in the shopping and preparing of meals. Research shows that kids who participate are more likely to eat the food they either pick out or help prepare. Also, keep trying the new foods you daughter might not have been williing to try before. It can take up to 22 times before she is willing to even put it towards her mouth and attempt to eat the food item. Whatever you do, I definitely don’t advise starving her. This can cause resentment and a negative association with food and eating. Honor her food preferences while trying out new foods for a well rounded diet!

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Integrating Veggies into More Meals

Mother of a Picky Eater