These are some creative ways to incorporate veggies and/or fruits into your toddler’s diet -

• Hiding the veggies is a good way to get them into your toddler. You might puree spinach, or any kind of veggie, and add them to your homemade small meatballs or any dishes you prepare.
• Toddlers like food that is fun. Be creative. It’s a good idea to have the food mini-sized and served in special ways, like in the shape of an animal or face.
• Things that dip are also a great idea - baked sweet potato fries in a healthy dip, for example. If you have to avoid dairy, you might use a product like “Better than Milk”, a soy based beverage mix.
• A member of a healthy eating group I joined suggested to grate 1-2 yellow zucchini (skin and all) and add it to your meatloaf mix. Not only does it make the meatloaf more moist, but it is practically unnoticable.
• Adding pureed fruits to softened ice cream might be another idea.

Turn into a Veggie Vendor

Veggies seem to be the most challenged food group when it comes to children’s eating habits. One way to overcome this obstacle is to plant a garden with your child. If you live in an appartment with a balcony and/or sunny window you may grow a wide variety of veggies in containers. These veggies include, but are not limited to, dwarf bush tomatoes -also called determinate tomatoes -, peppers - green, yellow, orange, red -, small carrots, radishes, or whatever veggies your family likes. There are no limits. Almost all veggies can be grown in containers.

These are just a few ways to incorporate veggies and fruits into your toddler’s diet.