Fruits and veggies are a vital part of a balanced diet, but sometimes getting your child to eat them is extremely difficult. However, there are ways to encourage your children to have healthy eating habits, and teaching them to try new foods is a part of child development. To learn how to help them eat more vitamin-rich fruits and veggies, check out the tips below. 

5 Dietary Ways to Encourage Child Development & Health

1. Eat By Example

If your child sees you eating fruits and vegetables often, they are much more likely to want to try them, too. Children are naturally curious and often want to be like their parents, and they’ll want to taste what you’re eating. Lead by example and eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables as snacks and at meal times. 

2. Add Veggies Into Foods They Already Eat

Do your children love homemade pizza? Try adding toppings like bell peppers, onions, spinach, olives, tomatoes, or mushrooms to up their veggie intake. Maybe they love chocolate shakes? Make one at home and add bananas or strawberries to add some fruit. They may highly enjoy it, and you might discover a simple way to implement more vitamins into their diet. 

3. Always Have Fruits & Veggies On Hand 

Having fruits and vegetables readily available for snacking is a great way to encourage children to eat them. Whether baby carrots and celery are always on hand in the fridge or you send apples and oranges with them to school for a snack, keep fruits and veggies accessible. 

4. Serve Fruit for Dessert

Encourage child development by making healthier choices. Instead of serving chocolate cake for dessert, try swapping it for strawberries and low-fat yogurt. Make them a fruit-filled smoothie instead of giving them ice cream. Get creative and find ways for them to enjoy more fruit.

5. Let Them Pick It Out

When you’re in the produce section of your local supermarket, have your children pick out the fruits and veggies they’ll eat. This will give them a sense of accomplishment, and they’ll be more likely to try something if they chose it.

6. Grow Fruits and Vegetables At Home

Allow your child to plant and nurture fruits and vegetables at home in your garden. Enjoy picking and eating fresh fruits and vegetables with your child. At Northwest Children’s Center, the children enjoy working in their community garden daily.

If you’re seeking a child care center, you need staff that values learning, growth, and child development. At Northwest Children's Center in Cromwell, CT, they offer flexible full and part-time care schedules to meet your needs, along with preschool and summer programs designed to help your child develop strong social skills in a comfortable, safe environment. To learn more about how their programs can benefit your child, visit their website or call (860) 635-3485 today.