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#2 Try this Kid Friendly Recipe from EatFresh.org

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#2 Try this Kid Friendly Recipe from EatFresh.org

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Combine strawberries, bananas, and mangos to make a Paradise Freeze!

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Learn more about nutrition with the free EatFresh.org Mini Course! Start or continue now ›

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#1 What should you do if your child doesn't eat fruits and veggies? 

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#1 What should you do if your child doesn't eat fruits and veggies? 

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Don't panic! Satter suggests that you "hang in for the long haul" and keep serving fruits and veggies at snack and meal time. Research shows that you may need to serve a given food 15-20 times before your child accepts it. Don't give up!

You can find more tips on dealing with common childhood feeding problems on the Ellen Satter Institute's website.

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The child who doesn't eat fruits and vegetables

Parents consider vegetables and fruits tremendously important and feel they have to get their children to eat them. As a result, many children don't eat vegetables; others don't eat fruits. Still others don't eat either. Settle down! Your child will not experience nutritional catastrophe if he doesn't eat them. If he gets sick, it is from something else.

Relax and enjoy your own fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables carry the same nutrients, so you and your child can be well-nourished on either.

Eventually, if you eat them, your child will learn to eat them, too.

Tone down strong vegetable flavors with salt, fat, sauces, bread crumbs, herbs and spices.

Tone down fruit textures by making sauces, desserts, using canned rather than fresh.

Pressure doesn't work - ever

Your child sees though even sneaky pressure such as bribes, cheer-leading, and your acting like you love them.

He assumes, "if they have to do all that to get me to eat it, it can't be good."

What works is minding your own business. Eat and enjoy your own vegetables. Your child assumes, "someday I will eat them too."

How to parent so your child eats fruits and vegetables

Follow the division of responsibility in feeding. Do your jobs with feeding and let your child do his with eating.

Get started with family meals, if you aren't having them already.

Observe how your child learns to eat unfamiliar food. He watches you eat it but doesn't eat; he helps you cook and garden but doesn't eat; he puts it in his mouth and takes it out again.

Hang in for the long haul. Food may show up at mealtime 15 or 20 times before your child eats it.

Stop counting. It could take years. Enjoy your own food!

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Secrets tells you how to feed so you child can eat well. Videos show you how! Click on covers for detail and purchase.

The picky eater

All young children are more-or-less picky about food and refuse new foods at first. To them, all foods are new, and it takes time and experience for them to learn to eat them. The problem is when they get stuck with being picky. Maintain the Satter Division of Responsibility in Feeding (sDOR) and adjust your expectations! Avoid pressure, be considerate without catering with meal-planning, and don't hold your breath! Your job is to provide your child with repeated neutal exposure to food: seeing it over and over again with no pressure. That allows her to gradually sneak up on it: look, watch you and others eat it, allow a bit on her plate, touch it . . . you get the idea. The goal is for your child to be relaxed and comfortable at mealtime and around food in general. If you achieve that, sooner or later (it could be months or even years later) she will eat almost everything that you eat.

Is your child stuck with being picky?

Follow sDOR so you child can please you - and please herself

What will happen next

If you stop worrying about what your child eats, you can both enjoy family meals. Parents say their children are happier and more relaxed not only at mealtimes but at other times, as well.

First, you will become consistent about having structured meals and snacks.

For a while your child will test the mealtime rules.

Then she will settle down and behave well.

She will get repeated neutal exposure to the food you and others eat.

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Booklet tells you how to feed your child and video shows you! Click on covers for details and purchase.

The child who eats "too little"

All children know how much they need to eat in order to grow in the way nature intended for them. Why do you think your child doesn't eat enough? Does he eat less than other children? Is he smaller than other children? Do you continually try to get him to eat or drink, and feel grateful when he does?

Chances are, there is no problem

Some children don't eat much, others eat a lot.

Some children who eat a lot are still small and slim.

Some children are just small, others are just big.

Evaluate your child's growth

As long as his weight follows near the same percentile, he is growing well.

But if his weight percentiles go down a lot over a short time, he may be getting too thin.

Feed as if you weren't worried about his weight
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Booklet tells you how to feed so your child eats and grows well; video shows you how. Click on covers for details and purchase.

The child who eats "too much"

Children only eat too much when they are afraid of going hungry. When you follow a division of responsibility in feeding, your child will eat as much as she needs in order to grow in the way nature intended for her. As long as her weight follows close to the same percentile on the growth curve, she is growing well. There could be a problem if her weight percentiles go up a lot over a short time, but the solution is the same: Do an excellent job with feeding.

Don't be spooked by your child's eating and weight

Some babies and children eat a lot and love to eat: they still know how much they need to eat.

From birth, some children are just normally big. As long as their growth is consistent, that is okay.

Some big babies and children don't eat much: they are satisfied on less food and continue to weigh what they weight.

Feed as if you weren't worried about her weight

Your child will feel hurt, get scared, and genuinely eat too much if you . . .

Try to get her to eat less than she wants.

Restrict either amounts or types of food. Control her portion size. Push low-calorie food.

Feed her differently from other family members.

Give her the look when she seems to eat a lot.

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Booklet tells you how to feed so your child eats enough for him; video shows you how. Click on covers for details and purchase.

The "underweight" child

Your child's weight is likely to be normal if it follows along a particular percentile curve, even if it is below the 5th or 3rd percentile on the growth chart. But if his weight falters - if it drops quickly across several growth percentiles - it is likely to indicate a problem.

Feeding errors can make your child gain too little weight

Too much interference. Parents of small children often try to get them to eat more than they want. However, such pressure makes children eat less, not more.

Too little structure. Parents of small children often let them eat all the time and are grateful when they do. However, such tactics make children eat less and not more.

Both together. Depending on how desperate they are, parents may do both - let children eat all the time and pressure them to eat when there happens to be a meal. That is seriously hard on everyone and really doesn't work.

Feed in the best way

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Booklet tells you how to feed so your child grows in the way that is right for him; video shows you how. Click on covers for detail or purchase.

The "overweight" child

Don't let anyone tell you or your child that he is overweight. Studies show that children whose parents see them as being too fat grow up to be fatter than those whose parents don't have such concerns. Parents try to restrict food, and the child does the same when he gets older - or does the opposite and sneaks food. Some grownups try to slim their child down with extra activity. It, too, backfires. The child eats more when he can, gets turned off to activity, and gains more weight than he would otherwise. Instead, do an excellent job with feeding and parenting, correct feeding errors, and let your child grow in the way that is right for him.

Feed and parent in the best way

Maintain a division of responsibility in feeding and in activity. Do your feeding and parenting jobs and let your child do his.

By the end of the first year, include your child in family meals. Have the same meal for everyone. Give sit-down snacks. Don't let him have food or drink handouts between times, except for water.

Include "forbidden foods" in meals and snacks. Depriving your child will make him eat a lot of them when he gets the chance.

Teach your child to cope. Help him develop good character, common sense, effective ways of responding to feelings, problem-solving skills, and the ability to get along with others.

Correct feeding errors

Interference. It is natural to try to get the large child to eat less than he wants. However, trying to do that makes children eat more, not less.

Lack of structure. Children who can't depend on getting fed feel constantly hungry, beg for food, and eat as much as they can whenever they can.

Trying to get your child to eat or grow in a certain way. Even if he is above the 95th percentile, and even if your weight is high, if he grows consistently, he is growing well.

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Secrets says to follow the division of responsibility in feeding; video shows you how to do it. Click on covers for detail or purchase.

Avoid pressure

Instead of putting pressure on your child's eating, follow the division of responsibility in feeding.

Pressure on children's eating always backfires

What does pressure on eating look like?

Pressure can seem positive: Praising, reminding, bribing, rewarding, applauding, playing games, talking about nutrition, giving stickers, going on and on about how great the food is, making special food, serving vegetables first, making food fun (to get the child to eat, not just to have fun).

Pressure can be negative: Restricting amounts or types of food, coaxing, punishing, shaming, criticizing, begging, withholding dessert, treats, or fun activities, physically forcing, threatening.

Pressure can seem like good parenting: Insisting on "no thank you" bites, encouraging or reminding the child to eat, taste, smell or lick, making her eat her vegetables, warning her that she will be hungry, making special food, keeping after her to use her silverware or napkin, hiding vegetables in other foods, letting her eat whenever she wants to between meals.

Pressure can be hard to detect: Ask yourself why you are doing something with feeding. Is it to get your child to eat more, less or different food than he does on his own? If so, it is pressure.

Siga la division de la responsabilidad al alimentar

Evitando la Presión

Presionar a los niños siempre tiene consecuencias negativas. Este consciente de que todos los niños son mas o menos especiales para comer ciertos alimentos. Tratar de hacer que una niña coma mas de lo que quiere hace que coma menos. Tratar de hacer que ella coma menos de lo que quiere la hace comer mas. Hacerla que coma ciertos alimentos hace que ella los evite. Tratar de que ella coma sin ensuciarse y con cuidado hace que haga un tiradero al comer. Tolerar comportamiento negativo con la esperanza de que ella va a comer mas hace que ella se porte mal y no coma.

La Presión puede parecer positiva: Halagar, recordar, premiar, aplaudir, jugar juegos, hablar sobre nutrición, darle calcomanías, hablar y hablar sobre que tan buena es la comida, preparar comida especial.

La Presión puede ser negativa: Restringir la cantidad o tipo de alimentos, convencer, insistir, avergonzar, criticar, rogar, no darle postre, dulces, o actividades divertidas, forzar físicamente, amenazar.

La Presión puede parecer como que los padres son buenos: Animar o recordarle que tiene que comer, probar, oler, o probar con la lengua nada mas, hacerla que coma las verduras, advertirle que ella va a tener hambre después, preparar comida especial, decirle constantemente que use los utensilios o servilleta, esconder las verduras en otros alimentos, dejarla que coma siempre que quiera entre comidas.

La Presión puede ser difícil de detectar: Pregúntese por que está usted haciendo algo con la alimentación ¿Es para que su niño coma más, menos o algún alimento diferente que lo que él come solo? Si es así, es presión.

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Secrets tells you how to your child can be relaxed with all kinds of food; video shows you. Click on covers for details and purchase.

Avoid restriction

Trying to get your child to eat less backfires. Unless we spoil it, children are good at knowing how much they need to eat. Some days they don't eat much; other days they eat more than you can ever imagine. Instead of restricting your child's food intake, follow a division of responsibility in feeding. Then ask yourself, "am I doing this because I am worried about his weight?" If the answer is "yes," don't do it.

Don't try to influence how much your child eats

He will stop knowing how much he needs to eat and eat more than he needs or even wants.

Even if he tries to please you and eat less, he won't be able to help himself.

He will sneak food or eat a lot when he gets the chance.

Avoid these sneaky ways of trying to get your child to eat less

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Parents consider vegetables and fruits tremendously important and feel they have to get their children to eat them. As a result, many children don't eat vegetables; others don't eat fruits. Still others don't eat either. Settle down! Your child will not experience nutritional catastrophe if he doesn't eat them.

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#3 Check Out these Fun, Seasonal Activities from Harvest of the Month!

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#3 Check Out these Fun, Seasonal Activities from Harvest of the Month!

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This spring you can explore the history of asparagus with your young historian or investigate the inside of an avocado with your little scientist.

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Persimmons | Tomatoes | Winter Squash

Persimmons

Science Exploration:
Cut persimmons will brown when exposed to air. Ask students to first research the concept of enzymatic browning or oxidation. Have students hypothesize what can be done to prevent this reaction from occurring. Then test students' hypotheses in an experiment using both Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons. Students can compile information on graphs and present to their peers.

For information, visit:
www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/persimmon.html

Farm to School:
Ask a local tree fruit farmer or horticulturist to hold a hands-on grafting demonstration in the school garden. If possible, arrange for a demonstration using persimmon trees.

For information on Farm to School programs, visit:
www.cafarmtoschool.org

Cultural Expressions:
Divide students into groups to research the ancient Japanese art of hoshigaki. Have students select a topic of interest and develop a presentation to the class. Topics may include:

Demonstration of method used to hand-dry the fruit

How the practice/art evolved and how it is different today

Historical significance in Asian culture

Global locations of where it is practiced today

For background information, visit:
www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/cdpp/foodsystems
www.slowfoodusa.org/ark/japanese_persimmon.html

Tomatoes

Tomato Technology:
Many factors affect agricultural production. Techniques like selective breeding, genetic engineering and more efficient farming practices have allowed growers to produce crops that are more plentiful, safer for the environment, more nutritious and better tasting. Research how tomato production has evolved with advancing technology.

Adapted from: Catch Up on Tomato Technology, CFAITC, 2001.

Botany Introduction:
Use the tomato as a model to discuss the botanical features of fruits and vegetables. Discuss why the tomato is botanically a fruit, not a vegetable. (Refer to How Do Tomatoes Grow?) Consider posing the following questions:

What botanical criteria is used to determine if a plant is a fruit or vegetable?

Why is the tomato often labeled as a vegetable? (Link to A Slice of Tomato History.)

What are some other examples of fruits that are commonly mistaken as vegetables?

For information, visit:
www.botany.com

Science Exploration:

Adapted from: California Agriculture in the Classroom, www.cfaitc.org

Calendar Connection:
To celebrate National 5 A Day Month, have students vote for their favorite fruit or vegetable to eat. Then have the class vote on which one(s) to plant in the school garden.

For more ideas, visit:
www.5aday.com/html/events/week.php

Winter Squash

Calendar Connection:
Celebrate National School Lunch Week by having students write journal entries every day of what they ate for lunch.

Have students monitor how they feel (tired, energetic, etc.,).

Use the NutritionData® Custom Data Entry tool to complete a nutrient analysis of their lunches (www.nutritiondata.com).

Compare journal entries between school lunches and lunches from home.

For more ideas, visit:
www.schoolnutrition.org

Science Investigations:

Investigate the life cycle of a squash blossom. (Hint: Male and female flowers have different cycles. The male flower has the stamen and pollen; the female has the pistil.)

Find out which winter squash varieties sink or float.

Chart student predictions.

Conduct simple sink/float experiment.

Discuss outcomes.

Have students hypothesize why some varieties sink and others float.

For more ideas, visit:
www.5aday.com/html/educators

Language Expressions:

Explore the multiple meanings of the word squash.

Write a sensory poem about your favorite winter squash variety. Use observations from the Exploring California Winter Squash activity.

For more ideas, visit:
www.cfaitc.org

Dried Fruits

State and regional climates

Land features and general topography

Annual and monthly precipitation

Types of soil

Science Investigations:

For more ideas, visit:
www.calraisins.org/education/foodservice
www.cfaitc.org

Problem Solving:

According to the USDA, the average American consumes about 139 pounds of fruit each year.

At this rate, how many pounds of fruit will your family eat in one year?

How many pounds of fruit will your entire class eat in one year?

How many cups are in 139 pounds?

If you eat two cups of fruit every day for one year, will you be above or below the American average for fruit consumption?

If one-fourth of fruit eaten by Americans is dried, how many pounds of dried fruit does the average person consume?

A plum tree can produce up to 300 pounds of plums per year (or about 100 pounds of dried plums). In 2002, California produced about 171,000 tons of dried plums.

How many pounds of fresh plums did California grow? (Hint: There are 2,000 pounds in one ton.)

If all plum trees produced 300 pounds of fresh plums, how many trees were in California in 2002?

California has about 70,000 acres of plum trees. If there are an equal number of trees on each acre, how many trees are planted on each acre?

East Asia (Buddhism, Hinduism)

Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)

Africa (ancient Egyptians)

Eastern and/or Western Europe (ancient Greeks and Romans)

Farm to School:

Invite a dried fruit producer to your classroom to demonstrate the drying process.

For information on Farm to School programs, visit:
www.cafarmtoschool.org

Use a United States map to identify all states located within these latitudes.

Note similarities in geography features, including climate.

Locate on same map the nation's top citrus and mandarin growers.

Use a world map to identify countries located within these latitudes.

Locate the world's top citrus and mandarin growers.

Use results to answer the following questions:

What features do these regions have in common?

How are these regions different?

How do geographical differences affect the quality or type of citrus fruit each region grows? (Hint: Consider how California grown citrus is marketed versus how Florida grown citrus is marketed.)

Mandarins

Measure and graph the peel to fruit weight ratios of several different citrus fruits (oranges, mandarins, lemons, grapefruits, limes, etc.).

Count and graph the number of segments in a Satsuma, tangerine and tangelo.

Measure the circumferences of different citrus fruits.

Use local grocery store ads (featuring specials on select produce items) to have students write and solve word problems.

Science Investigation:
As students will learn from the Student Sleuths, the USDA recognizes three species of the genus Citrus: the mandarin ( C. reticulata), the citron ( C. medica) and the pomelo ( C. maxima). Within these species are dozens of sub-species, or cultivars, as well as natural and man-made hybrids. Common hybrids include the orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime and tangelo. Discuss the taxonomy system and how fruits and vegetables are bontanically classified. Then have students complete the following activity:

Perform an experiment to show the effects of freezing temperatures on citrus fruits.

Test the pH levels of various citrus fruits.

Determine the percentage of water in various citrus fruits.

Implement "A Sour Subject" Lesson Plan #602 (edited by Pamela Emery).

Math Solutions:

Science Investigations:

Economics Introduction:

Hint: To best demonstrate supply and demand concept, continue activity for several months (e.g., note prices changes in items that are seasonal).

Invite a local citrus grower to the classroom to discuss their farm operation.

Adapted from: Fruits and Vegetables Galore, USDA, 2004.

Farm to School:

For more ideas, visit:
www.agclassroom.org
www.cfaitc.org
www.cafarmtoschool.org
www.nal.usda.gov/kids

Can opener

1 can red cabbage (not sauerkraut)

Colander

Small bowl

Measuring spoons

3 glass jars

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 tablespoon distilled water

Cabbages

Open can of cabbage

Use colander to drain cabbage juice into bowl.

Put two tablespoons (30 ml) of juice into each glass jar.

Add vinegar to first jar. Record color of juice.

Add baking soda to second jar. Record juice color.

Add distilled water to third jar. Record juice color.

Discuss results.

Science Investigation:
Use cabbage juice to determine whether a substance is an acid or base.

Procedure:

Adapted from: The Science Chef Travels around the World, Joan D'Amico and Karen Drummond, 1996.

Complete the School Garden activity, Grow a Head.

While cabbage is growing, have students bring in family recipes with cabbage as an ingredient.

Have students complete nutrient analyses of recipes and provide recommendations of healthier ingredient options.

Compile recipes in class cookbook.

Distribute cookbook at Open House or use for a school fund-raising event.

Literary Expressions:

Cabbage Patch Math:

It's Still Art:

For more ideas, visit:
www.nal.usda.gov/kids
www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhard/collection/main.html

Asparagus

Teach concepts of cooperation and competition in business.

Demonstrate labor process of harvesting field crops.

History Exploration:
Asparagus has been cultivated for more than 2,500 years by people worldwide. It continues today to be a universal vegetable, grown and consumed in Asia, Europe, South America and North America. Have students research a historical topic of interest and then write an essay or deliver a living history presentation. Topics may include:

Green construction paper; 10 sheets per each group

Scissors; two pairs per each group

Shoe boxes; one box per each group

Rubber bands; 20 per each group

Introduction to Economics (Grades K-5):

Divide students into teams of five or six.

Designate one area of room as "the field." Place construction paper and scissors in the field.

Purpose:

Materials:

Activity:

Avocados

Science Investigations:

*Accompany with above Student Sleuths.

Measure length and width of green and edible-pod peas.

Weigh whole green and edible-pod peas.

Use a minimum of five pods to calculate averages.

Take metric measurements.

Convert to standard measurements.

Shell peas and calculate average number in one pod.

Guess how many peas are in on-half cup. Shell peas to find answer.

Weigh shelled peas (grams) to calculate number of peas in one pound.

For more ideas, visit:
www.harvestofthemonth.com

Peas

Dissect a pea pod. Draw the veins of the pod and how peas are arranged within the pod.

Research Gregor Mendel's study of genetics. Use your findings to answer these questions:

How did Mendel use pea plants in his study?

Why did he decide to use pea plants?

What traits did Mendel study in the pea plants and their seeds?

What were his findings?

How did he use these findings to formulate his conclusions on genetics?

Math Solutions:

Trace the etymology of the word pea.

Research Norse and Roman legends for anecdotes about peas.

Find old nursery rhymes that include references to peas.

Critical Thinking and Sensory Exploration:

Science Investigations:

Literary Expressions:

For more ideas, visit:
www.cfaitc.org
www.agclassroom.org

Ask students to interview older relatives to find out when and how their families came to California.

Include questions that explore what family members did when they first arrived in California, including:

What foods they ate and recipes they used;

How and where they got their food; and

What types of activities and/or hobbies they enjoyed.

Have students write a report or give presentation to class on their family history.

Make classroom charts to display from where students' families came and for how long they have lived in California.

Peaches

Calendar Connection:

Family History Day takes place in the middle of June. Celebrate students' family history, culture and traditions.

For more ideas, visit:
www.harvestofthemonth.com

Return to Top

Estimate the weight of each melon variety; measure weight and record.

Estimate the circumference, surface area and volume of each variety; measure and record.

Compare weight and size measurements for each variety.

Determine if there is a correlation between weight and size. Why or why not?

Determine the edible portion of each melon variety and weigh, if possible.

Compare the ratio of fruit to rind for each melon variety.

Estimate and record number of seeds in each variety.

Determine which variety has the most number of seeds.

Melons

Hint: Coordinate with Exploring California Melons activity on page 1.

Melon Math:

For more ideas, visit:
www.harvestofthemonth.com

Potatoes

No information.

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Persimmons | Tomatoes | Winter Squash Science Exploration: Cut persimmons will brown when exposed to air. Ask students to first research the concept of enzymatic browning or oxidation. Have students hypothesize what can be done to prevent this reaction from occurring. Then test students' hypotheses in an experiment using both Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons.

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#4 Learn More About the Vegetable Food Group

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#4 Learn More About the Vegetable Food Group

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What foods are in the veggies food group? How many veggies do I need to eat each day? Find the answers to these questions and more at choosemyplate.gov!

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Vary your veggies.

What foods are in the Vegetable Group?

Any vegetable or 100% vegetable juice counts as part of the Vegetable Group. Vegetables may be raw or cooked; fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated; and may be whole, cut-up, or mashed.

Based on their nutrient content, vegetables are organized into 5 subgroups: dark green; red and orange; beans, peas, and lentils; starchy; and other vegetables.

How many vegetables are needed?

The amount of vegetables you need to eat depends on your age, sex, height, weight, and level of physical activity. For women, the amount can also depend on whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Find the right amount for you by getting your MyPlate Plan. For general recommendations by age, see the table below.

What counts as a cup of vegetables?

In general, 1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables or vegetable juice, or 2 cups of raw leafy salad greens can be considered as 1 cup from the Vegetable Group. The table below lists specific amounts that count as 1 cup of vegetables towards your recommended intake.

Why is it important to eat vegetables?

Eating vegetables provides health benefits - people who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body.

Health Benefits

All food and beverage choices matter - focus on variety, amount, and nutrition.

As part of an overall healthy diet, eating foods such as vegetables that are lower in calories per cup instead of some other higher-calorie food may be useful in helping to lower calorie intake.

Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may reduce risk for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke.

Eating a diet rich in some vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may protect against certain types of cancers.

Adding vegetables can help increase intake of fiber and potassium, which are important nutrients that many Americans do not get enough of in their diet.

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Vary your veggies. Any vegetable or 100% vegetable juice counts as part of the Vegetable Group. Vegetables may be raw or cooked; fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated; and may be whole, cut-up, or mashed. Based on their nutrient content, vegetables are organized into 5 subgroups: dark green; red and orange; beans, peas, and lentils; starchy; and other vegetables.

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#5 Tips from WIC for Dealing with Picky Eaters 

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#5 Tips from WIC for Dealing with Picky Eaters 

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Is your child a picky eater? WIC has some helpful hints for parents of picky eaters.

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#6 How to Get Kids to Eat and Enjoy Veggies

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#6 How to Get Kids to Eat and Enjoy Veggies

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As a parent of a toddler, here are some strategies that I've found really help.
1) Read books about food and eating. Some great titles include "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle, and "Tops and Bottoms" by Janet Stevens. These books help familiarize young children with healthy foods, build vocabulary, and encourage discussion.
2) Eat veggies yourself at meal and snack times in front of your child. Chances are your child will ask for a bite of whatever you have on your plate.
3) Dress it up! If you cut the veggies in a fun way (like zoodles or crinkle cut butternut squash), kids might be more interested. Serving veggies with a yummy dipping sauce also helps.

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#7 How Can I Buy Fruits and Veggies without Breaking the Bank?

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#7 How Can I Buy Fruits and Veggies without Breaking the Bank?

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This child made a great video about how to shop for fresh fruits and veggies in a cost efficient, environmentally friendly manner.

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Fruits and Veggies (USDA VIDEO CONTEST ENTRY)

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I WON!!! second place at least. This is a video i made with my mom for the USDA fruit and veggies contest. The contest was a video contest to see how you could get more fruits and veggies into your diet without straining your budget.

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Looking for engaging, educational activities to do with your child? Kidsgardening.org has all sorts of great ideas! Check out this site to learn how to "grow the rainbow", plan a garden birthday party, make seed balls, and make art out of fruit and veggies.

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Get the best gardening ideas for kids right in your inbox.