Veggie Monster? Not in this house.

There was a time when Nathan would eat anything I put in front of him, especially vegetables. I would happily steam and cut up any veggie that we had in the house and he would eat it, just as happily. Then, about a week before his first birthday, he changed his mind. At his one year appointment, the pediatrician said Nathan was exercising some power over his food choices and simply to continue offering vegetables at each meal. So, in the last two months, I have provided a small veggie serving at each lunch and dinner, with no luck. 

I know the doctor said he will get his nutrients through milk and other foods, but I cannot help but worry about his overall nutritional health (I am his mother after all). Determined to find veggies Nathan would eat, I have recently found three options that seem to pass his test. Unfortunately, all three are short term solutions, when ultimately I want him to simply eat his veggies.

The first were these Sweet Veggie muffins, made with shredded zucchini, carrot and yellow squash.  Nathan was sold at the word, "sweet", I'm sure. These muffins are tasty and very reminiscent of the zucchini bread my grandmother used to make. I think the next time I make them, I would use applesauce to replace some of the sugar.

Toddler Approved Veggie Muffin Recipe

The second Nathan approved vegetable option are the fruit-veggie puree pouches available in the baby food section of any grocery store. With yummy flavors like Pea & Pear, or Apple & Squash, Nathan sucks these down in mere seconds. The pouches are terrific options for snacks when we are traveling, but I hate for him to think that all vegetables should be sweetened with fruit and drinkable. So, I only offer one of these every few days and I still provide fresh veggies on his meal tray.

Lastly, I read about Broccoli Bites that seemed really easy to make and kid friendly. I knew Nathan would like that these biscuits include cheese, one of his favorite foods. They were certainly quick and easy to make and Nathan did eat most of one, while Jeff ate four.

 

Broccoli Bites Recipe 

 In the end, Nathan is a healthy, active little guy and a big part of me knows he is doing just fine. I'll keep offering veggies every day and keep looking for sneaky ideas in the mean time.