Babies start to develop their taste buds with the transition to supplementary food from the 6th month onwards. During their development process, they may dislike and reject some foods. Vegetables are the most important of these foods. You can try our suggestions below to make them love vegetables and feed them comfortably.
How Can You Get Babies to Love Vegetables?
- Babies often have difficulty taking vegetables. In the beginning, you can choose sweeter vegetables such as carrots and pumpkin.
- You can make vegetable soup with milk by mixing vegetable puree with your baby's milk (breast milk or follow-up milk). Since the taste of milk is something your baby is used to, it will make it easier for your baby to absorb the vegetables.
- You can differentiate the taste of vegetable soup by adding apples to vegetable soups.
- Do not insist on feeding your baby a vegetable that he/she does not like. Try feeding it again a little at a time at different times without forcing it. When you put the vegetable that your baby resists eating on his/her plate 10 days in a row (some sources say 15-20 times), your baby starts to bond with that vegetable and his/her resistance to the vegetable decreases. Do not force your baby to do this; if you do, your baby will reject the vegetable again.
- Try serving vegetables like cucumber, carrot and celery with yogurt.
- You can involve your child in shopping and ask them to choose the vegetables they want.
Try different cooking methods
Your child won't eat spinach and turns their nose up at carrots? You can serve spinach not as a meal as you usually do, but in pies or bake cauliflower in the oven. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside can attract more attention.
Serve vegetables with their favorite foods
Instead of hiding vegetables in other foods, try serving them alongside their favorite foods. For example, if your child likes chicken, you can put carrots next to it and let them eat that too, or you can serve vegetables such as broccoli and spinach to your child who likes meatballs on the same plate.
Eat vegetables too
Children love to imitate their parents. You can use this to get them to eat vegetables. When you serve vegetables to your child at the family table, put some on your own plate. Tell your child that you like it and that it tastes good.
Cook together
If you have a child who is interested in the kitchen, this suggestion is for you. Involve your child in the preparation of the meal. When you have prepared the quantities and ingredients in advance, ask your child to do some things. For example, you can ask them to add water and spices. They may enjoy eating vegetables they have prepared themselves.
Keep your child away from potentially dangerous situations at this stage.
Organize snacks and snacks
Children love to eat junk food. Time it well when giving your child snacks. Be careful not to give it close to mealtimes. If you do, limit the amount. Your child will be hungry at mealtime and will be able to eat the vegetable dish you have prepared.
