As a parent, one of the biggest challenges is getting your children to eat their greens. Vegetables are crucial for a healthy diet, but most kids would rather eat junk food than a plate of broccoli.

If you’re struggling to get your children to eat their greens, don’t worry: You’re not alone. Here are some surprising tactics you can try to make vegetables more appealing to your little ones.

1. Get Creative with Shapes and Colors

Children are naturally drawn to bright colors and interesting shapes. Cut colorful vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and cherry tomatoes into fun shapes with cookie cutters.

You can also use a spiralizer to create vegetable noodles from zucchini and carrots. When vegetables look more visually appealing, children are more likely to want to try them.

2. Make Vegetables a Part of Their Favorite Dishes

If your child loves pizza, try adding some vegetables as toppings. Make a veggie quesadilla or add carrots and peas to their favorite stir-fry. You can also sneak vegetables into dishes by pureeing them and adding them to sauces.

For example, add cooked broccoli or spinach to spaghetti sauce for added nutrition. When vegetables are a part of their favorite dishes, children are more likely to be open to trying them.

3. Let Them Help with Meal Planning and Preparation

Get your children involved in the meal planning and preparation process. Ask them to choose a vegetable they’d like to try and let them help you prepare it.

Children are more likely to eat foods they’ve had a hand in making, and involving them in the cooking process can make them more excited about trying new things.

4. Make Vegetables a Snack

Instead of offering sugary snacks, try offering vegetables as a snack. Carrots and hummus, celery and peanut butter, and cucumber slices are healthy and satisfying snack options.

When vegetables are part of their regular snacking routine, children will start to see them as an enjoyable food choice.

5. Offer a Variety of Vegetables

Offer a variety of vegetables on a regular basis. Don’t just stick to the same old options like carrots and broccoli. Try new vegetables like kale, Swiss chard, and Brussels sprouts. Children may surprise you by finding a new vegetable they love.

6. Plant a Vegetable Garden

Planting a vegetable garden is a fun way to get children excited about vegetables. Let them help choose which vegetables to plant, and involve them in the planting and care process.

When children see the vegetables growing and are a part of their journey from the garden to the dinner table, they may be more enthusiastic about eating them.

7. Lead by Example

Children learn from their parents, so if you want to encourage your child to eat vegetables, you need to eat them too. Make sure you’re including vegetables in your own meals and snacks, and let your child see you enjoying them.

When vegetables are a part of the family’s regular diet, children are more likely to adopt healthy habits.

8. Offer a Dip

Offering a dip like ranch dressing or hummus can make vegetables more appealing to children. Children love to dip foods, and a tasty dip can make even the most unappetizing vegetable more appealing.

Just make sure you’re offering healthy dips that aren’t loaded with sugar or unhealthy fats.

9. Try Different Cooking Techniques

Children may not like steamed or boiled vegetables, but they may love roasted or grilled vegetables. Try different cooking techniques to find the ones your child enjoys the most.

Roasting vegetables in the oven with olive oil and herbs can give them a crispy texture and delicious flavor.

10. Don’t Give Up

Finally, don’t give up on encouraging your child to eat vegetables. It may take time, but with patience and persistence, you can help your child develop healthy eating habits.

Keep offering vegetables in different ways, and let your child see you enjoying them. Over time, they may surprise you by developing a love for veggies.