Universal Living NOV / DEC 2013 Volume 1 Issue 2 | Page 14

Getting Kids to Eat
More Fruits and
Vegetables
By Gloria Zabala
Many parents say that
one of the biggest challenges of parenthood is
getting their kids to eat
enough of the right
kinds of foods. Not surprising when we live in
a country in which millions of dollars are
spent each year on food advertising, targeted directly at
kids, that glamorizes junk food, breakfast cereals, fast
food, candy, soda and so-called "fruit" drinks, most of
which is loaded with refined sugar, fat, and/or artificial
colors, flavors and preservatives. Is it any wonder that we
don't hear kids in the aisles of the supermarket begging
their parents to buy apples and carrots?
Well, the struggle to build a nutritious foundation for your
kids' health doesn't have to be a losing battle. Here are a
few suggestions to help you and your kids form healthy
eating habits that will last a lifetime.

Add produce to smoothies. Start with mostly the fruit
that your child loves. Add a frozen banana to deliver
sweetness and a handful of blueberries. Then start incorporating celery to their smoothie. Once your child gets
used to the celery, start adding small – and hard to detect
– quantities of other greens. And of course, go ahead and
add a handful of spinach!
With time, everyone in your home should get used to the
taste, and even prefer it over the fruit-filled version,
which may start to seem too sweet. Our taste buds are
really quite adaptable! The key is to make the change
gradually. Over time, they’ll learn to enjoy the true flavor
of fresh, healthy food and the lovely tastes that fresh vegetables, greens and fruits have to offer.
Nov/Dec 2013 Issue—Page 14

Puree or finely chop greens to cook with sauces and
soups. For lunch or on the go, pack a thermos soup and
add their favorite vegetables with the greens. Serve with
whole-grain bread.

Trail Mix. Kids love sneaky classroom snacks and without
the right options, they will often turn to vending machine
junk food items. Why not give them a nutritious snack to
carry with them? For this trail mix, include a mixture of
raw walnuts, Goji Berries, Inca Berries, pepitas, and dried
coconut. This mixture is fairly low in sugar and packed
with nutrition. Plus it tastes great.
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