1. Give them a choice. Kids are more likely to eat food that they select – ask "would you prefer carrots or broccoli tonight?"
2. Make it colorful. Fruits and vegetables are the most naturally colorful foods around. Have a contest of how many colors they can eat in one day or one bite.
3. Serve a one-pot meal. Combine vegetables, grains and protein in one dish – it's easier for the cook and harder for kids to avoid the vegetables.
4. Make it a family affair. When everybody helps cook, families get to spend time together and it makes new food less intimidating.
5. Add one new ingredient. Cook a dish the kids are familiar with and add one new item. For example, make macaroni and cheese and add broccoli. The next time, add broccoli and peas.
About Cricket
Cricket Azima specializes in cooking for and with children. She is Food Editor for Kiwi Magazine, Director of Kids' Programs for Kidfresh™ and Director of Culinary Curriculum for Batter Up Kids Culinary Center. Her book, Everybody Eats Lunch, was published in Spring 2008. To learn more about Cricket, visit her website, The Creative Kitchen.com.
