There are many nutritional reasons why children should eat more vegetables and fruit. Aside from the immediate benefits, good eating habits developed young can last a lifetime. Read on for some easy ways to help children enjoy healthy eating:

Encourage, but don’t force

Parents are responsible for offering a variety of healthy foods according to Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating. Children are responsible for how much and what they will eat. Don’t force or bribe your child to eat vegetables and fruit. Instead, offer them as part of regular meals and snacks, and encourage your child to try even one bite. It may take many attempts before they get used to it.

Make it easy

Children tend to eat what’s in reach and in sight. A well-stocked fruit bowl and colourful pre-cut veggies can make for appealing, bite-sized snacks. Enhance favourite foods by adding sliced fruit to cereal or chopped vegetables to tomato sauce and pizza.

 Have some fun

• Get your child involved in gardening, shopping, and cooking.
• Try a vegetables and fruit “scavenger hunt” at the supermarket.
• Make funny faces or animals with vegetables and fruit.
• Try theme days with costumes, taste testing, and games.

Be a role model

Children are not born disliking vegetables and fruit! This is a learned behavior often based on parents’ food habits. Keep mealtimes pleasant and show your own enthusiasm about eating vegetables and fruit.