If you are here because you want to know how to get your two year old to eat broccoli, well then your in the right place.
It's quite simple really, and I don't know why I didn't think of it years ago!
Dip it in chocolate, and tell them it's candy. It's the only way...
Honestly I'm just kidding, but at times I've been so desperate I've almost gotten a bottle of chocolate syrup and said, "Here kid, pour a little of this on top of your dinner and take a freakin' bite for crying out loud!"
I wish I could stand before you today and say that my toddler has LOVED everything I've given her, but truthfully she hates food. Like literally, I don't know where she comes from :). Even some of her favorite foods she will put up the biggest fight to eat well...just because she can. She's learned she can say no, yes, and make her own decisions now and it's a lot more fun than listening to mom.
So parents, don't be worried. I truthfully feel it's not usually the parents fault if they are doing all they can, and introducing healthy food on a regular basis. Some kids just hate eating...
(My 8 month old however can't stop eating, in fact I've never seen a child eat that much. Goes to show that each kid is different!)
So when it comes to introducing things such as vegetables, which are definitely not on the list of 'Toddler Approved Foods', here are my suggestions:
It might sound crazy, but for daughter this was everything! She loves to sing, and does it all day long, so naturally we came up with a song about broccoli! I think it helps introduce the food in a more exciting way, which definitely can help! Here is the song we came up with:
Even I am not a fan of a handful of raw veggies, so in order for them to become somewhat appealing to the eyes of the toddler you've got to fancy it up! Whether it's roast it or cook it, kabob it and serve it with their favorite dip, you have got to make it fun. My daughter loves when I serve her food on a kabob! It makes it so much for fun to eat!
I wanted to do something a little more fun with my daughter and make a salad of items she loved and picked out her self, that way when it came time to eat it we could talk about how SHE made it and how yummy it was! For this broccoli salad, I knew I wanted to pair it with strawberries because she absolutely loves them! Then I made her decide between which nut she wanted, slivered almonds or cashews. (She tried a bite of each one and told me which one she liked more.) Then I had her take a bite of some roasted coconut to see if she liked it, and she did and wanted to add it. Everything was appealing to her taste, that way she would enjoy it!
There might be a chance that you could make this salad with your picky eater and they might say, H to the No am I trying that mom! Don't get discouraged, but keep trying. The more you put that broccoli on their plate, the more used to it they get, and may actually give it a try! :)
Strawberry Broccoli Salad
Prep time:
10 mins
Cook time:
5 mins
Total time:
15 mins
Serves:
3 cups
This doesn't have to be JUST for toddlers, I can see it being served at many dinner parties, bridal showers, or a nice mommy lunch! :)
Ingredients
- (For the Salad)
- 1 1/2 c. chopped strawberries
- 1 1/2 c. broccoli, cut with most of the stems removed
- 1/4 c. salted cashews, chopped
- 2 TB (or more) toasted coconut
- (For the Dressing)
- 2 TB. greek yogurt, plain
- 1 TB. balsamic vinegar
- 2 TB. honey
- sprinkle of cinnamon
Instructions
- Add salad ingredients to a medium sized bowl and set aside.
- In a separate small bowl whisk together salad dressing, then pour over top of salad.
- Can serve immediately, or will do great in the fridge for when ready to serve.
- (If serving later, add in coconut just before serving)
3.2.1230
If all else fails drizzle a bottle of chocolate sauce on top of their plate, then pour remaining chocolate sauce into your open mouth...
It's the only way.