Personal Best Health Wellness - Veggie Phobia

You can lead your kids to cauliflower, but how do you get 'em to eat it?

The best advice is to be patient. What kids eat for a period of time they come to prefer. They probably will grow to like vegetables and other wholesome foods if that's what you keep serving them.

Meantime, here are a few pointers that may help win over all the veggie phobes big and small in your family . . .

• Never try to force or bribe your child to eat vegetables. It only plants the idea that vegetables are distasteful.
• Slice and dice into small bites; serve small portions.
• Quick steam rather than boil vegetables — kids often prefer their veggies on the crunchy side.
• Use chopped veggies as pizza toppings or add them to spaghetti sauce or omelets.
• Serve vegetables raw at meal time; many kids who won't eat certain varieties cooked enjoy them uncooked. Experiment to learn their favorites.
• Have baby carrots, cucumber slices or bell pepper strips for snacks with yogurt, salsa or bean dip.
• Be a role model. Eat your vegetables too!