#asktheexperts My baby is not eating veggie any solution

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Accepted Answer

Encouraging a 20-month-old baby to eat vegetables can be challenging, but with patience and creativity, you can help foster a positive attitude toward healthy foods. Here are some tips to encourage your toddler to eat vegetables:

1. **Lead by Example:** Be a role model by eating a variety of vegetables yourself and expressing enjoyment in front of your child. Children are more likely to try new foods when they see adults enjoying them.

2. **Offer a Variety:** Introduce a wide range of vegetables in different colors, textures, and preparations to expose your child to diverse flavors and nutrients. Include cooked, raw, steamed, roasted, or pureed vegetables in meals and snacks.

3. **Start Early:** Begin offering vegetables as part of your baby's diet as early as possible to help develop their taste preferences. Offer them small, manageable portions of vegetables alongside familiar foods.

4. **Make it Fun:** Present vegetables in creative and appealing ways to make them more enticing for your toddler. Cut vegetables into fun shapes, arrange them on the plate in colorful patterns, or serve them with a favorite dip or sauce for dipping.

5. **Offer Choices:** Give your toddler some autonomy by allowing them to choose which vegetables they want to eat or how they want them prepared. Offer two or three vegetable options at mealtimes and let your child pick their favorites.

6. **Get Them Involved:** Involve your toddler in meal preparation by letting them wash, peel, or stir vegetables under your supervision. Children are more likely to eat foods they have helped prepare.

7. **Be Patient:** Toddlers may need time to warm up to new foods, so be patient and persistent in offering vegetables. Offer them repeatedly, even if your child initially rejects them, and continue to offer praise and encouragement for trying new foods.

8. **Mix Vegetables Into Foods:** Sneak vegetables into your child's favorite dishes by pureeing or finely chopping them and adding them to sauces, soups, casseroles, or smoothies. This can help familiarize your child with the taste of vegetables without them realizing it.

9. **Offer Rewards and Praise:** Use positive reinforcement, such as verbal praise, stickers, or small rewards, to encourage your toddler to eat vegetables. Celebrate their efforts and successes, even if they only take a small bite.

10. **Be Flexible:** Every child is different, so be flexible and willing to adapt your approach based on your child's preferences and reactions. Offer a variety of vegetables and be open to trying different strategies to encourage vegetable consumption.

By incorporating these strategies into your mealtime routine, you can help your 20-month-old develop a positive relationship with vegetables and establish healthy eating habits that will benefit them for life.