Fun and Delicious: Getting Kids to Eat Fruits and Vegetables

If you’ve ever found yourself in a battle of wills with a picky eater over broccoli, you’re not alone. Getting kids to eat fruits and vegetables can feel like a constant negotiation. But with some creativity, you can help the kids in your life eat more of the fresh produce you bring home with Double Up Food Bucks.  

Here are 5 tips from the Double Up team to help get kids to eat fruits and vegetables:  

1. Make it Colorful and Fun

Kids are drawn to bright colors. Luckily, fruits and veggies come in a rainbow of hues. Use this to your advantage by creating vibrant and visually appealing produce-forward meals and snacks. Think of colorful combinations, fun shapes, and creative patterns that turn eating fruits and veggies into a playful adventure. 

Recipe to Try: Rainbow Pizza
Give pizza night a makeover. Top your pie with tomatoes, squash, green bell peppers, and purple onions or potatoes.

2. Sneak Veggies into Familiar Favorites

Add veggies to the dishes your kids already love. Grate zucchini into spaghetti or shave carrots and apples into muffins for a nutrient boost they probably won’t notice. The possibilities are endless! 

Recipe to Try: Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese
With cauliflower and sweet potato right in the sauce, this mac and cheese is a produce-packed crowd-pleaser. Try having the kids make it with you and watch the veggies disappear. 

3. Let Them Play with Their Food

Magical things happen when you encourage playful eating. Create build-your-own tacos with a variety of colorful veggies. Make fun shapes out of fruit slices or create a mosaic out of cut veggies. The more involved kids are in the process of making their food, the more likely they are to give more fruits and veggies a try. 

Recipe to Try: Veggie Tortilla Rollups
Let the kids get their hands messy by choosing their own fillings and putting the finishing touches on their wrap. 

4. Turn Fruits and Veggies into Dippable Delights

Kids love to dip, so use this to introduce them to new veggies. Offer a selection of dips like hummus or guacamole alongside raw veggies like cucumber sticks, carrots, and snap peas. Fresh fruits go well with nut butter or yogurt. It’s amazing how much more appealing a fruit or veggie becomes when there’s a tasty dip involved! 

Recipe to Try: Fruit Kabobs
Thread chunks of colorful fruits like strawberries, pineapple, grapes, and melon onto skewers. Serve with a side of yogurt dip for a fun and nutritious snack. 

5. Blend It All Together

Let smoothies do the trick. Any smoothie can become an over-the-top nutritious treat with an extra helping of fruits and veggies. Add a handful of spinach, avocado, or even squash to a fruity smoothie blend for an extra serving of veggies. 

Recipes to Try: Toddler Smoothies with Hidden Veggies
This recipe combines ½ fruit with ½ cup veggies for a produce-packed snack any kid can enjoy. 

Bring home more fruits and veggies with Double Up Food Bucks.

Getting kids to eat more fruits and veggies doesn’t have to be a struggle – it can be a treat for everyone involved! Make eating fun, interactive, and delicious with more veggie-filled mealtimes with your little ones. 

Did you know you can bring even more fruits and veggies home with Double Up Food Bucks? Learn how you can get your fresh fruits and veggies purchases matched dollar-for-dollar when you shop with your EBT/Bridge Card and Double Up.