Tips for picky eaters: A healthy diet is crucial for growing children. It not only promotes their growth but also provides significant benefits to their body and brain. Vegetables are a storehouse of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, which play a vital role in boosting their immunity and brain development. When children don't eat green vegetables, they can become deficient in essential nutrients, leading to weakness and frequent illness.

But children often dislike green vegetables. They scrunch up their noses at the sight of green vegetables on their plate, and no matter how hard you try, they find it impossible to swallow broccoli or gourd. If you struggle with this daily battle, you're not alone. It's a common problem for parents worldwide. But don't worry, today we've brought you 5 such 'hidden veggie' tricks that will help your child eat all the vegetables without even realizing it, and you won't even realize when they've finished their plate!

1. 'Hide' vegetables in sauces and dips
Children love sauces or dips with pasta, sandwiches, or nuggets. This is your biggest weapon! When making pasta or pizza sauce, add finely grated carrots, spinach, beetroot, or bell peppers. These vegetables won't change the color or flavor of the sauce much, but they will add nutrition. You can also add grated cucumber, carrot, or bottle gourd to yogurt or cheese dip. The taste will be so mild that children won't even notice.

2. Add vegetables to the dough and batter
Give your children nutrition by adding vegetables to the batter or dough of their favorite dishes. For example, when making pancakes or cheela, add spinach puree, grated zucchini, or carrot to the batter. The color may change slightly, but the taste won't be significantly affected.

Add finely chopped cabbage, peas, or cauliflower to the stuffing of your potato paratha. Your child will happily eat it as the potato flavor will dominate.

Furthermore, try adding finely grated bottle gourd or grated carrots to your dhokla or idli batter. This will enhance their color.

3. Mix Green Power into Smoothies and Juices -
Children love smoothies, and this is an easy way to sneak vegetables in. For example, add a handful of spinach or kale to a fruit smoothie (banana, mango, or berry). The sweet flavor of the fruit will dominate, and your child will drink it without fuss. Furthermore, if your child drinks juice, add a little beetroot, carrot, or bottle gourd juice.

4. Lots of Vegetables in Cutlets and Tikkis -
Cutlets and tikkis are children's favorite snacks and can be turned into a treasure trove of vegetables. When making potato cutlets, add finely grated beans, carrots, peas, cauliflower, and broccoli. Then fry or bake them.

Make moong dal or chana dal tikkis with finely chopped spinach, onions, and coriander. This will be an excellent source of protein and fiber.

5. Serve with Creative Shapes and Fun Food -
Sometimes, children don't eat vegetables simply because they find them boring. So, make them fun! Cut vegetables into star, heart, or cartoon shapes with cookie cutters. This will make eating fun for them.

Make mini pizzas by adding finely chopped vegetable toppings to multigrain bread. Or, grind vegetables and add them to sandwich spreads. Instead of calling it "Lauki ki Sabzi," give it a fun name like "Green Superhero Food."

If you keep trying this way, your child will gradually get used to eating vegetables. Soon, you'll notice that your child is not only eating vegetables, but also demanding them.

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