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Ask Our Experts: Veggie-Hating Toddlers

Bowl of veggies Sometimes toddlers and vegetable just don't go together. Raisingkids.co.uk's paediatric dietitian, David Swain has a few suggestions for tackling this problem.

Raisingkids member's problem
My 3 yr-old won't eat any vegetables except for cherry tomatoes and occasionally grated carrot with mayonnaise in it! I've tried many ways to prepare vegetables but he just won't eat them.

He tries them sometimes but seems to have a genuine dislike. I do give him vitamin-enriched milk (for toddlers) and he eats fruit. It’s has been going on for many months and I'm worried his body may be suffering. His younger brother eats vegetables! What can I do?

David's advice
It is quite normal for children to go through phases of faddy eating. Indeed refusing to eat vegetables, especially green leafy ones is very common at this age. Be encouraged that your son eats tomatoes, grated carrot and fruit. I wouldn't be too worried about his body suffering but continue to offer different types of vegetables prepared in different ways. I notice that one of the members of raisingkids.co.uk recommends putting vegetables in pancakes. You could also try serving them in cheese sauce with pasta.

It is difficult to ascertain whether your son is getting enough minerals or vitamins (I note you are giving him some vitamin-enriched milk). However if you are worried you could give him a general children's multivitamin from the chemist. If you did decide to give him a vitamin supplement it would be sensible to change to ordinary full fat milk that is not vitamin enriched.

Finally, remember that there is no one vital food and that although your son may not be getting much fibre from vegetables he will be getting some from fruit and cereals. So if your child refuses to eat one type of food, look for another that provides the same nutrients.

 

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