We all know how important it is to have a diet high in fresh, whole foods, including lots of vegetables! Veggies are chock-full of vitamins and nutrients that have significant immediate and long term benefits.

Although we also know that sometimes it’s a struggle to get veggies into our kids. Here are 5 fun ways to encourage your little ones to enjoy vegetables!

1. PRESENTATION: Putting out a plate full of raw, freshly chopped, colorful veggies can entice kids to munch and nibble on veggies for a snack. Many kids prefer to graze throughout the day, so having healthy options readily available for them such as a veggie platter can avoid the constant opening of the fridge and pantry doors as they rummage for food. My kids’ favorites are red pepper, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and carrots.

2. DIPS and SAUCES: If a beautiful veggie tray isn’t quite enough on it’s own to get your little ones excited about eating veggies, try adding some fun dips to go along with them. Hummus is one of our favorites, but many kids like a ranch style dressing.

3. SMOOTHIES – Cannot say enough about smoothies. They are such a great way to get all kinds of healthy things into your family’s diet…even things that don’t taste all that great. Fruit seems to mask almost anything in a smoothie. Frozen fruit is even better as it gives a nice, creamy textures to a smoothie and is extra refreshing!

4. BURRITOS – Another food that is easy to hide all kinds of veggies in is a burrito! You can dice up veggies in a food processor into super small pieces and sneak them into your kids’ burritos. I feel like my kids are happy with anything wrapped in a tortilla.

5. OWNERSHIP – Giving kids ownership over their food can definitely impact food choices. This could be planting a garden, shopping together at a local farmer’s market, or even having them prepare snacks/food for themselves. I have one friend that whenever I visit her I am amazed at how self-reliant her children are in preparing themselves a healthy snack. For example her six year old will pull a red pepper out of the fridge, slice it up on a cutting board, put it on a plate, and sit at the table to eat it…and then put his plate in the sink when he is done. Obviously she has taught him how to do this and while that took a little time on the front end, the end result is well worth the time investment!

What tips and tricks do you have to help encourage little ones to eat more veggies? Would love to hear from you!

-Sarah