How to Get Your Toddler to Like Vegetables
If your toddler isn't exactly excited about veggies, don't worry - you're not alone. Human beings have an evolutionary fear of new foods called food neophobia, and often 'new' means 'no'. We also have an innate preference for sweet foods (both breastmilk and formula have a sweet flavor). Add to that, baby foods often offer sweeter foods and fruit flavors. It won't happen overnight, but with consistency and a few smart strategies, you can get your toddler eating (and even enjoying) vegetables.
Lead by Example: Show Your Love for Veggies
Toddlers are natural copycats. If they see you eating vegetables, they’re much more likely to give them a try. Don’t expect instant success, it can take 10 or more exposures before a child takes their first bite, but your enthusiasm sets the stage for a curiosity to try.
The Best Veggies for Toddlers
All vegetables are good vegetables, but some are especially toddler-friendly because they’re mild in flavor and packed with nutrients:
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Broccoli
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Carrots
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Cauliflower
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Celery
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Cucumber
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Squash
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Sweet peppers
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Sweet potatoes
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Tomatoes
Celebrate Veggies with Fun Recipes
The more fun and colorful you make it, the more likely they are to try it. Here are some ideas that make veggies exciting and visible:
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Cucumber Snakes: Slice cucumbers into half-moons and arrange them into a “snake” shape. Add a shredded carrot tongue for extra fun.
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Veggie Pizzas: Top mini cauliflower crusts with tomato sauce, cheese, and colorful veggies like bell peppers and broccoli.
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Ants on a Log: Spread peanut butter on a celery stick and top with raisins. Kids can see every tasty piece!
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Potato Faces: Let your child decorate a baked potato with cherry tomatoes, broccoli, olives, and a little cheese. The veggie “faces” are a hit!
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Vegetable Caterpillars: Line up colorful veggie chunks or create a rainbow caterpillar with cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and beets.
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Veggie Quesadillas: Fill a tortilla with shredded carrots, black beans, bell peppers, and cheese, then toast until golden. The colors shine through!
Tips to Encourage Picky Eaters
5 WAYS TO MAKE VEGGIES FUN
1. Let them help
Kids are more likely to eat what they help make. Let them wash veggies, sprinkle toppings, or stir ingredients. The more hands-on, the more excited they'll be to try it.
2. Make it visual and fun
Turn veggies into snakes, caterpillars, faces, or rainbows. Use colorful veggie noodles (spiralized zucchini or sweet potato) or arrange cherry tomatoes into patterns. Kids eat with their eyes first.
3. Give it a story
Serve "green eggs" (broccoli scrambled into eggs) or "superhero sauce" (veggie-loaded pasta sauce). A fun name or story makes vegetables feel like an adventure, not a chore.
4. Sneak them in (but let them see)
Mix shredded veggies into burgers, meatballs, mac 'n cheese, or muffins. Don't hide them completely - let kids see the colors and textures. Call them "veggie stars" or "rainbow bites" to celebrate what's inside.
Getting toddlers to eat vegetables isn't about hiding them - it's about making them fun, colorful, and worth trying. It takes patience and creativity, but with the right approach, you can turn veggie time into something your kid actually looks forward to.
And if you need a head start, our veggie-forward meals are designed to make this easier. Check them out here.