Do you tolerate your child from not eating vegetables?

Philippines
February 17, 2010 6:06am CST
My two cousins never eat vegetables... and her mom just tolerate them. We know all that vegetables are good to eat and are good for the body. Do you tolerate too your child from not eating vegetables, or you yourself do not eat too? I have known many friends of mine who hate that food, I just don't know what are their reasons. But unlike me, I am more prefer to eat more vegetables than meaty viands. It would just energize me the whole day. I had discovered that if I will always eat meaty viands, it made me weak/not energetic. If you are a vegetables lovers(I mean not a vegetarian at all), what can you suggest to those parents/moms whom their children do not eat vegetables; or those people who do not too?
1 person likes this
13 responses
• Bulgaria
17 Feb 10
Well children have periods when they want only a definite food or don't want to eat some things at all. And when you push them to eat something what they don't want to, this might have the opposite effect. I think the best thing is just to wait for the period to pass by. Of course, that doesn't mean that you have to feed them with waffles and chocolates. My kid don't want to eat fresh vegetables at all. He eat them only cooked. I'm not pushing him to eat them fresh. When he want that, he'll do it. In my country we have a very strong tradition to eat fresh vegetables, some people even don't sit on the table if there's not a fresh salad. Actually I don't know a person who doesn't like fresh vegetables. So I'm just waiting to the right time to come for him and I'm not making a big deal of this.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Hi bananamen, you are right, maybe all parents must be patient enough to wait for their children that period you said to pass by, not to the extent to tolerate them to eat only what they wanted. Well, I am not talking fresh vegetables, but I am a little familiar too with your tradition about eating fresh vegetables in your country. I have watched several movies that presents similar traditions. I have also read a true story which specify that they were eating the carrots fresh. Here in the Philippines, it is not part of our dinner traditions but there are some who are mix have used to include fresh vegetables in there meals.
@Raniaa (66)
17 Feb 10
y eat vegetables is very good and we auxiliary fast assimilated.i feel in oder child will eat vegetable so we to eat vegetable by child will eat vegetable to..
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Hi Raniaa you are right, we should be a model to kids. Anyway, welcome to mylot and happy mylotting, I am happy to hear you soon.... Keep up the good work. It is a good choice to be one of us here!
• Philippines
23 Feb 10
You are so welcome, now I approved you as friend... now we can cook together, hahaha. God bless Bro! Enjoy mylot...
@Raniaa (66)
23 Feb 10
thank... and nice to meet you. good job and good luck brother..
@DeenaD (2684)
• United States
17 Feb 10
Obviously I would prefer if my child ate his vegetables, but he usually doesn't, and really, I can't force him to. I just hope that he is getting all of his nutritional needs met through either his diet or from his vitamin which he takes every day. I think that's just how kids are.
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
Yes that's natural to kid DeenaD, and letting them eat veggies can be effective with some tricks... decorating the plate, let them help you prepare the veggies, set a reward after eating, or mixing those delicious veggies with meat or other viands that your child loves to eat. Parents should have to remember that force is not advisable to do this, encouragement is the word. (I extend my thanks to many mylotters who have shared these ideas to me, and thank you...)
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
And to all parents, I know that you are aware of this but just a sort of reminder: OBESE CHILDREN ARE AT RISK OF NUMBERS OF CONDITIONS: 1. High cholesterol 2. High blood pressure 3. Early heart disease 4. Diabetes 5. Bone problems 6. Skin conditions such as heat rash, fungal infections, and acne (http://children.webmd.com/obesity-children) It is not to late, let us prevent this from happening to children (and even us)!!! God bless you ALL....
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
In my case, I always lecture them on the nutrients they get from each vegetable. For example, when I want my youngest son to eat bitter gourd, I would tell him it's good for his blood count, his getting dizzy sometimes and his pale lip color. Luckily, he listens and eat the vegetable. I also let him eat "malunggay" ( I am not sure if you have this in your country). I tell him the same facts. Now, he knows where to get proteins, vitamin A, vitamin C, etc. Constantly reminding them really helps.
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
Hi, I appreciate much your time spend in here. Thanks. You know, you resemble much of my mother, that is an excellent parenting... teaching the kids of what the good thing about eating veggies to our body can help them love those stuff. And sure, malunggay is present here. I am a certified Philippine citizen and so are you? Malunngay is one of our nutritious vegetables. Malunggay (Moringa oelifera) was once considered a 'poor man's vegetable' but now it is known as a 'miracle tree' or 'nature's medicine cabinet' by scientists and health care workers from around the world because it is loaded with vitamins and minerals that can be an effective remedy against many kinds of ailments. (http://hubpages.com/hub/Health-Benefits-of-Malunggay-Leaves) God bless and happy mylotting.
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
He knows that proteins come from meat, vitamin C comes from fruits and some vegetables, vitamin A comes from vegetables and that energy comes from go foods which are the carbohydrates. We, parents, really have to inform them and train them.
@Hazelrose (2179)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
I always adviced my children to eat vegetables because it is really good for their health ,but they only eat a little.By the way,My husband and I are used to eat vegetables and I force my children to eat, at least once a day.
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Verygood for you HazelRose, I appreciate that you take effort to let your children eat some vegetables. And because of that I will give you some list of ten vegetables taht are most vital to our body: 1. Onions 2. Broccoli 3. Collard greens 4. Spinach 5. Red Peppers 6. Eggplants 7. Sweet potatoes 8. Carrots 9. Asparagus 10. Celery
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
If those are not the best, they are essential to our body. They have nutritious qualities.
@Hazelrose (2179)
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
Hi primeaque86,Thank you so much for the list,I'm sure it will helps me in my cooking.By the way,All in the list are our commonly used veggies except collard greens.I'm not familiar of that veggies,I dont know if we have it here in our place.Thanks again.God Bless!
@dreamhome (558)
• India
17 Feb 10
I always suggest my son to eat more vegetables as they are good for health..I mention the goodness of each vegetable as I serve him..say for example if I give him carrots, then I say him that his vision would be better if he eats carrots..And now he likes vegies and asks for himself.
• Philippines
19 Feb 10
Sure dreamhome... copy that always... God bless ... and more power... Enjoy Mylotting.........
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
THUMBS UP for you dreamhome... you are a certified model to your child. I hope all parents would be like you. You know my story, I do not love vegetables too when I was 4 or 5, but my mom used to say that vegetables could help me a lot in school. She always reminded me that if I go to school and eat vegetables always in my meal (but it doesn't mean all vegetables) I would become smart... and that was all true, (THUMBS UP WITH MY MOM TOO LOL). Today, vegetables and rice are my best meals...
• India
18 Feb 10
That is great. It is always good to encourage the children to eat vegetables from the younger age..And your mom has done a great job...And I suggest you to follow her way when you nurture your children.
@Java09 (3075)
• United States
17 Feb 10
As a young child,you should always encourage kids to eat veggies and eat them yourself to show the kids that it is good.I don't understand why they don't like veggies,because I love them.It is annoying when kids refuse.They should not get desert or any junk until they eat healthy.Most kids rather get sick by eating cake and not fruit or veggies.I would make my kids eat it like it or not,it is important.I don't see what the big deal kids make out of it is all about.Always encourage children to eat them by eating them yourself.Make it a habit in a child at a young age.
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
Hi Java... you are right there, encouraging the children to eat vegetables by setting a good examples and by letting them see that we ourselves also eat and love vegetables too are the answer to this. According to research by the Diet Channel (http://www.thedietchannel.com/Getting-Your-Child-to-Eat-Vegetables.htm)The answer to this problem lies in focusing less attention on a child's pickiness and more on creating a healthy mealtime routine. And one of the best ways is the above you mention: SET A GOOD EXAMPLE AND EAT VEGETABLES. And parents should be aware that children must in good diet to prevent obesity. Because obese children are not healthy anymore. There are many reasons why a child turned obese/overweight, three of the most known are genetic factors, lack of physical activity and UNHEALTHY EATING PATTERNS. And one of the best and easy way to prevent this is by giving children a good diet. (http://children.webmd.com/obesity-children)
@junmae (1586)
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
I really hate vegetables since I was young and I really have a hard time eating it especially on meals. But mom didn't tolerate my attitude because she said that vegetables is better than meats. She punishes us if we didn't finish our meal and she cooks vegetable meals three times a week and it is the hardest time in my life. When I grew up, I started to understand this matter and whether I like it or not, I eat vegetables. I also wont tolerate my kid for not eating vegetable, I will also use the same discipline as what my mom did to us.
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
That is a good idea junmae. And your mother is right about veggies, they are better than meat (though meat is nutritious too). It is all about 'good eating habit/good diet'. According to experts, human beings consume more on meat protein and it has shown that this has negative effect on human behavior. (http://www.purifymind.com/MeatProtein.htm) According to research also, elderly women who consume more animal protein than vegetable protein usually experience more hip fractures and bone loss. God bless to you and your kids. Happy mylotting...
@alilin28 (1527)
• Uruguay
17 Feb 10
well, i havent have children yet, but im a daughter, and i remember that i didnt make much problem with vegetables and meat, so i have eaten everything, but nowdays, for example, i hate fish, "pig" meat (i dont remember the especific word) and ovine meat.. but my suggestion is that u prepare the food with the vegetables mixed, or make fo example milanese shared with some vegetable puree with olive oil.. other recipe perhaps would be making the meat cut like little cubes and mix with onnions, carrots, and the vegetables you like and fry this,, share with puree.. or making the food shared with salads... i wish have luck with thiis! have a nice day
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
Hi there, that would a good example to make your vegetables more appetizing. Encouraging a child (or even us) to love at eat vegetables doesn't actually mean to let them eat pure fresh/cooked veggies. Mixing them with meat is very-good.
@p3ks626 (6538)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
My father always had the vegetables on our plates when I was still young. We were never allowed to leave the table if we didnt eat it. So we were forced to eat it, but I was older, I liked eating vegetables already. When I would have my own kids, I will always make them eat vegetables. lol Not really make them but explain to them the importance of eating vegetables to they will appreciate it and not wonder why they have to.
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
That is a brilliant idea, kids must learn to love eating vegetables. These healthy foods must be a part of our meal, because vegetables can help us to have a good diet. I am just sad with my cousins if I could only force them to eat.. lol
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
I am not going to tolerate my sons or daughters, but i wont force them either.. gradually, ill encourage them to taste the veggies and if you offer good and child friendly veggies recipes, i dont think they'd resist. My husband and I are super veggies people (but not purely vegetarian..) so leafy vegetables like talbos and okra are like staple food to us
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
Hi, and I guess you are a certified Philippine Citizen, right? Hahaha, that is it, encouragement is the word. I, too love veggies, super. I can eat 3 times a day with vegetables on my plate (but it is a good recipe too to mix some meat or fish). Fresh fish is good to mix with selected vegetables as a delicious viand. I love Talbos and Okra too... try it with noodles, haven't you? If you are interested, I'll tell you...
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
17 Feb 10
yes tolerance is very important especially when its a matter of kids. We can always convince them in a smart way. If they dont like vegetables do not force them. They may hate it together. Prepare vegetables in different ways, the way they can take their favorite non veg foods. Cut vegetables in form of toys, animals and cook them differently.
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Best idea besthope. THUMBS UP TO YOU! Yes that is it, to force the child is not the solution, it might give opposite/negative effect. But I am sorry if I had just misunderstood your first line, I think we could not call the whole process a tolerance. Anyway, vegetables in forms of toys, stc. can work positively. Happy MyLotting...
18 Feb 10
When my daughter was just starting to eat solids, I would boil the vegetables and mash it. She loved the squash for its sweet taste. She also enjoyed potatoes and carrots. But when she was a bit older and learned how to eat junk food, she ignored her veggies already. It's still best for them to learn how to eat vegetables since this is where they can get their nutrients and minerals. I try to substitute with Milk but then its not enough because there are days that she doesn't like to drink her milk as well. I read this book that you can incorporate veggies with regular meals, like putting carrots in their cookies or cupcakes, or broccoli into their pancakes. They wont be able to taste the bitter or eeky taste of veggies, since what t hey know is that they're just eating pancakes or cupcakes.
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
Wow mrcl, and have you tried that stuff already? If you already did, then I'll give you the recognition... YOU ARE NOW A CERTIFIED INNOVATIVE MOTHER. I like your idea too... pm me if you tried some and tell me the result.. I think it would be a bet laborious but surely you would enjoy it and the your kid would love it.. tell me your recipe okay? I will find some books too, or find some free online recipes for that here online. God bless, and welcome to the MyLot Family.. Happy mylotting!!!