5 ways of ensuring your little one gets their 5 a day

5 a Day

We know how difficult it can be to try and get fruit and vegetables into our little ones on a daily basis. We’ve come up with a few tips in order to increase their intake. But remember, our little ones need much smaller portions than us adults to make up their 5 a day. The general rule of thumb is that the size of the palm of their hand makes up roughly one portion of their 5 a day.

Hidden Vegetable Sauces

One of the easiest way to squeeze more veg into our children’s diets is by blitzing them into yummy sauces. See our Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce for some inspo.

Lead by Example

Our little ones look up to us and many a time copy exactly what we do. Why not take advantage of this at the dinner table and encourage them to try some of your veggies as you. Then, whilst serving the dinner you can ask your little one if she wants the same veggies. This way, your child will feel as though they are the ones making the choice.

Sticks and Dip

You may feel as though giving them a dip is cheating, however, if that’s what it takes to get them to eat raw fruit and veg filled with nutrients then so be it. You could always use a red pepper hummus however, pesto etc works just as well – there is no need to beet yourself up over it!

organic baby food pip and pear children recipes weaning

Get Creative

What looks like a treat will most likely go down a treat! Therefore, why not get creative by making little faces out of the fruit and vegetables. Another way of disguising fruit and veg is by making them the core ingredients of your kids favorite foods. For example, spaghetti can be substituted by spiraled veg such as courgettes, homemade burger mix can be veggie loaded as can lasagna and lots more. Not only this but sugar free muffins can include fruit and be a healthy ‘treat’ for your little ones. Check out our blueberry muffins for example.

Grow Your Own

As the saying goes ‘the fruit of your own hard work is the sweetest’. Therefore, why not encourage your kids to grow their own vegetables. This doesn’t mean you have to have a big vegetable patch, many fruits and vegetables can be grown in their little pots. Give your little ones the choice of what they’d like to grow and let it be their little mission. Alternatively, you could take them fruit picking, they will be sure to gobble as much as they pick and they will associate that fruit with the fond memories of the day out.