Comments on: Do You Hide Veggies From Your Kids?

By: Lacy

Lacy — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:48:03 +0000

Perhaps if you had read the whole thing, you’d find that I come down on your side. I agree wholeheartedly in telling the kids that there is spinach in their smoothies, especially if they like it. And I certainly don’t cast aspersions on anyone who does.

By: Moms a picky eater

Moms a picky eater — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 13:37:47 +0000

I couldn’t read this entire thing because it started off bad for me. Just because people add veggies to things to mask their taste doesn’t mean they are trying to be deceptive. It doesn’t mean we are teaching kids bad things or ruining their trust. That’s pretty close minded. Have you considered that people (not just kids!) don’t like the TASTE of vegetables?? I’m 32 years old and I’m telling you right now that if you don’t mask the taste of a black bean that sucker isn’t going anywhere near my mouth. Just because I know I need to eat leafy greens doesn’t mean I magically have a taste for them. So if I can throw them into a smoothy and make it something I (and my kids) can tolerate then we will eat them. I’m soooooo tired of superficial hoitie toitie ‘better-than-thou’ mothers that get on their high horse and try to condemn others for not being as fantastic as they are. This is not a one size fits all world and sometimes you have to roll with the punches and go with what works. It is beyond me how handing my kid a fruit smoothy with spinach in it (that they LIKE!) is worse than giving them a plate full of plain spinach that they will turn their nose up at. In fact, I’m pretty sure if you have ALL kids the choice, the majority would take the smoothy. You don’t have to lie to them, tell them what’s in it! And for crying out loud STOP worrying about why other parents just aren’t as great as you are!

By: Lacy

Lacy — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:49:57 +0000

Christy,

I think that is a GREAT way to do it! I put extra veggies in lots of stuff we eat, too. I think the big difference is that your kids are aware of it, you know? It’s the “sneaky” part of those hidden veggie recipes that bugs me—because it’s not teaching the kids anything good.

But if your kiddos think kale in the lasagna is normal, more power to you! I bet you’ll find that for some things, they’ll prefer yours over the “regular” version.

Love your tip to say you make it with “different, fabulous ingredients.” I’m going to remember that one!

By: Christy

Christy — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:23:03 +0000

While I have never put beans in brownies I put liver in tons of things. I also have cooked mashed/chopped green and yellow veggies that I have frozen in icecube trays that I add to soups and sauces etc. (kale, winter squash etc.) My kids are fully aware that I do this and other weird things -purslane in the succotash last night ;o) I just don’t share if they don’t ask. I also use all sorts of white potato-ee looking veggies like turnips or yellow beets in stews. My kids were older when I started down the real food path and their taste buds were already set in a lot of ways. It is a slow process. They don’t mind the veggies as long as it isn’t crazy obvious. We are all learning. I don’t post an ingredient list for anything I make so as far as they know – kale is supposed to be in lasagna and also butternut squash. ;o) They don’t have any trust issues that I am aware of. Now grownups – I have a friend or two who won’t eat anything I prepare if there is a chance I put anything unusual in it – they are worse than any child I have cooked for.
I know this is long but really I don’t know that there is a 100% right or wrong way – it is what works for your child and your family.
I often say “I make it different with fabulous ingredients – if you get is somewhere else it might not be as healthy” ie granola bars.
Oh and I hate the commercials too – really? that food is crap imho

By: Lacy

Lacy — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 15:15:53 +0000

Thanks Megan!

I think your approach to the “sneaky” veggies is a good one. It’s a nice compliment to serving whole veggies—not a replacement. Good on you! Do you talk to your kids about putting extra veggies in their main dish?

By: Megan Flatt

Megan Flatt — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:51:30 +0000

Great post! I totally agree! My kids are pretty good eaters, and I think it is because I offer them the veggie in question over and over again. What do they say about kids needing to exposed to a new food 14 times before they’ll like it? There are veggies my kids don’t like, and thats ok too…there are veggies I don’t like!

What I do like about the sneaky chef style recipes is that it gives me an opportunity to increase the amount of nutrients in all of our diets. My kids eat such a small quantity of food, that I need more bang for my buck! I’m always going to serve a veggie in its whole form as a side dish, but if I can get something into the main dish too and it still taste good..great! (no spinach in my brownies please!)

Love your site! I can’t wait to browse around more!!