5 ways to get kids to eat more vegApparently only 22% of children know that broccoli grows on a plant. In a totally unscientific test I asked BB (aged four) where broccoli comes from. She looked at me as though I was stupid and said ‘you plant a seed in the ground and it grows’.

She might be among the minority of children who do know where broccoli comes from, but at the same time I don’t think she eats enough of it.

I’m slightly less concerned about her veg intake now that she’s at school and having free school meals, because I know they’re hidden in the sauces and pizza bases she’s given, but even so I’m always on the lookout for new ways to try and get both BB and Little B to eat more.

So I was really pleased when I was invited to the launch of Flora’s new campaign which is promoting the importance of plant based diets and helping parents to get their kids to eat more vegetables. (Unfortunately I couldn’t actually go, owing to the fact I was dying in bed having caught Little B’s ‘non-specific’ virus, but let’s not let the truth get in the way of a good story!)

Among the activities they’ve got planned as part of the campaign is a Florasaurus, a dinosaur made entirely from plants which will be touring the UK to show children how many of the world’s most magnificent creatures were powered by plants. I don’t know about you but I definitely can’t wait to see this!

They’ve also got a new TV ad featuring an animated dinosaur designed to change children’s perceptions of plant based food (BB has been watching it on repeat on my laptop), and a new dairy-free spread called Flora Freedom which is 100% dairy free (perfect for breast feeding mums who have a baby with a dairy intolerance).

Flora power of plants

BB is already really engaged with the campaign, and it’s great to see her so interested and inquisitive. But piquing their interest is one thing – getting them to actually eat more veg is quite another.

I know I’ve written about it before with lots of tips from fellow parents, but after Flora gave me some added inspiration I thought I’d compile a list of 5 ways to get kids to eat more veg:

1. Bake savoury muffins using vegetables like broccoli, carrot and courgette and put them in cupcake cases to make them look like cakes (this is one of my all-time faves).

2. Melt Flora over the top of a bowl of vegetables and stir through. I didn’t know this but Flora contains plant oils such as sunflower, rapeseed and linseed oils and is actually lower in saturated fats than butter, providing a source of healthy Omega 3 and 6. Or you could make your own spread with this recipe from Flora.

Flora spread recipe

3. Sneak vegetables like parsnips and swede into mashed potato. They’ll never notice. (Although I discovered spinach in Bolognese is a step too far when BB shrieked the house down thinking it was seaweed).

4. Add anything you can find in the fridge to tomato sauces and blend into a puree before serving. The sauce will still look red, but can mask everything from celery and spinach to carrot and peppers.

5. Get them involved in the cooking process. I always find that if BB has had a hand in making something herself, she’s more likely to eat it.

What are your top tips for getting more plant-based food on their plate?

I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Network Research Panel, a group of parent bloggers who have volunteered to review products, services, events and brands for Mumsnet. I have not paid for the product or to attend an event. I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity. I have received a voucher as a token of thanks for this post.

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