As many of you know (by my trillion posts to Facebook and Twitter the last few weeks) that Devine Nutrition Inc
exhibited at the Kids Expo in Tinley Park this past weekend. I had a station where the kids could dress up as a super hero and pick a fruit or veggie, attach it to the sign to show the world what foods make them feel like a super hero.!

(Even Elsa played along!)

Want to know the Number 1 comment made to me at the expo?

You betcha. It was, “my child is so picky about eating his fruits and vegetables.”

Do you try to push, bribe, fight with your children to eat their fruits and veggies? Well here are some tips for you!

1. Stop trying to push, bribe, and fight with your kids about food. YOU WON’T WIN.
2. Involve your kids in the food choices. As much as I hate dragging kids to the store with me, it is eye opening when I let them choose a fruit or vegetable they want to try. Kids are more likely to try and taste a new fruit or vegetable if THEY had a hand in choosing it (or growing it in a garden!).
3. Be positive! And lead by example parents! Kids are very observant creatures. They notice if you or dad leaves their plate blank of veggies at dinner. (Ryan.. this one is aimed at you dear!).
4. My rule. Everyone gets served everything I make at meals. It has to stay on their plates and you have to take at least a taste of it. You NEVER know when a child will start liking a new food. Great example. Last week I had salad on my plate (and everyone else’s except the Addy who is 2). She climbed in my lap and proceeded to eat my entire salad.
5. Start them YOUNG! Try and have a fruit or vegetable options at most meals from the time they turn 1. Don’t fall into the chicken nugget/hotdog/mac and cheese/fry rut. Add some color to their plates!
6. Dipping helps! Ranch, yogurt, dressings, whatever. Kids love dipping.
7. Not a huge fan of hiding fruits and veggies into dinners but we all do it. Add some diced tomatoes, cut up artichokes into pasta dishes, cauliflower into pasta dishes and casseroles, beans into burgers, you name it, you can find a way to hide it.

(Check out this Flipagram I made from the Expo! http://flipagram.com/f/T7SuSEOxOT

Thanks to all the kids and families who stopped by the booth. A HUGE THANK YOU to Sargento for providing the string cheese stick coolers for those that participated!)

Comment on the blog below to win a string cheese stick cooler from Sargento Cheese!