Who Wants Broccoli?

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Tips for dealing with your little’s dislike for vegetables

There was a time when my boys left a man speechless, and I was left proud and shocked all at the same time. When my twins were four years old we went trick-or-treating. They were finally old enough to be really into it. Brody and Cade didn’t care as much about eating candy as they did the fun of dressing up and going door to door to receive the candy. They dressed up as superheroes that night, and at one particular house their superpowers definitely took over.

We rang the doorbell, and a friendly man opened the door and exclaimed, “Who wants BROCCOLI?” My boys squealed with delight and said, “WE DO!” The man was speechless for a second and then said, “Man I did that on the wrong kids.” He chuckled and said, “Sorry guys, I only have this candy to give you.” They responded, “Ah man, alright.” The man looked at me like, you’ve got to be kidding me! I laughed and told him that he literally had offered them their all-time favorite vegetable. 

However, broccoli had not been their favorite vegetable all along. This was a newfound love.

When I started feeding them broccoli, I heard all the usual complaints, eww, gross, what is this, I don’t want to eat this, disgusting, etc. I responded with the usual parent replies, it’s good for you, eat your vegetables, try it - I bet you find you’ll like it, etc. But one day, I made it fun. I served broccoli with their dinner and when they complained I said, “But look at it! We are eating little trees! Look at this one, it is a bush! What do you have?” Brody looked his over, “I have a tree!” And then popped it into his mouth. Cade scanned his plate, “Me too!” And ate his as well. They found bushes and trees, baby trees and big trees and even flowers in their broccoli. It was so much fun they ate it all and from that point forward loved eating broccoli. In fact, now at age 15, they don’t squeal in delight for the trees and bushes, but broccoli is still one of their favorites. 

Do you battle at mealtimes to try to get your children to eat vegetables? Most of us do. Vegetables are not naturally sweet. They have a variety of textures, colors and flavors that a child has to learn to like. It can take a child up to 17 times of being introduced to a food, seeing, trying and tasting it before they will enjoy the food. To help this process out try to make it fun! Does the vegetable resemble something they like? For example, brussels sprouts could be dinosaur eggs! Give a vegetable a back story, “These carrots are special wands only for the most brave adventurers. It can grant wishes or cast spells if you take a bite of them and then cast your spell.” Some other cute ideas:

• Cucumbers as Spaceships

• Tomatoes as Superhero Shields 

• Zucchini as Fairy Sticks or Swords

• Peas as Tiny Magic Balls or Eggs

• Bell Peppers as Colorful Gems

• Cauliflower as Clouds

• Asparagus as Pirate Spears

The main thing to remember is to not assume your kids will not like the vegetable. Children surprise us all the time with what they eat and don’t eat. And what they eat can change from day to day. What matters most is that you're providing them with whole, healthy, balanced meals that include both meats and vegetables with starches and grains limited. And remember, it can take up to 17 times of trying the vegetable before they like it, so be patient and do not give up. Throw in some creativity and fun and your kids will see vegetables a whole new way!