Infant/toddler nutrition

Question
Hi there,

My one year old won't eat his dark-green leafys, much less any other veggie. Although his ped has given me the ok to give him a children's vitamin, I'm still trying to give him veggies.

My question is - I've been disguising spinach in his applesauce by cutting it into small pieces - he doesn't even know it is there... Is he still getting a max nutritional benefit even though he's only swallowing - not chewing - the spinach? And what about other veggies he gets in this manner?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Liz,

You are doing the right thing. You can even puree the spinach before mixing it into the applesauce. This can be done with any foods that makes flavor sense. If you puree the food first there will be less digestive work for your son's system and he will still get the nutrients.

I do recommend that you slowly try to reduce the 'cover' food, gradually introducing more of the leafy greens/vegetables. Hopefully he will grow use to them with time. Avoid using sweet foods as a mask so he does not think that veggies should be sweet.

He may be trying his limits as well; using something he does not really care for to see what you will do. I would make sure to begin enforcing table manners at this time- age appropriate of course.

If possible you may even think about growing a few vegetables next year and involve him in the process. Kids usually find growing plants fun. Talk about the ground, the plant, how it grows, the sun... Then when its harvest time involve him in the kitchen prep as much as possible. If you grow green beans let him break them up and wash them, he can tear lettuce pieces... My son loves to eat the cherry tomatoes when he is playing outside.

Good luck,
Dan Haley, CNC

www.marketamerica.com/alkalinenutrition

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