More than 90 percent of children do not eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, according to Fruits & Veggies More Matters, a website run by the Produce for Better Health Foundation. Vegetables are low in fat and calories, and provide your child with essential vitamins and minerals that he needs for proper growth. Preparing vegetables with your child is one way to encourage him to eat more of these important foods. Even if your child is young, he can learn to safely use a peeler so he can participate in food preparation.
Vegetables
Vegetables should be a part of your child's daily diet. Fresh vegetables contain essential nutrients that support your child's growth and promote a healthy body. Most vegetables contain a healthy dose of fiber, which helps keep your child's digestive system working properly. Your child also gets vitamins A and C from vegetables, as well as potassium for a healthy heart. Vegetables are low in fat and calories, which can help your child maintain a healthy weight.
Peeling
According to Fruits & Veggies More Matters, cooking with your child can help teach her healthy eating habits. Peeling vegetables is a simple way to include your child in the food preparation process. While you are teaching your child to peel vegetables, talk to her about what makes a vegetable healthy. Encourage her to taste different kinds of vegetables and talk about how they taste. Allow your child to choose vegetables to peel, and she might be more likely to eat them when the meal is ready.
Technique
Teach your child how to safely peel vegetables to reduce his risk of injury. Demonstrate how to hold a vegetable toward the bottom and to peel it away from the body. Show your child how to peel one side and then how to rotate the vegetable around to peel the opposite side. Remind him to flip the vegetable over and peel the bottom as well. Show him how to keep his fingers clear of the peeler to prevent him from slicing his skin.
Considerations
Always supervise your child while she is peeling vegetables. If you are on hand to remind her how to peel away from her body and how to keep her fingers clear, she is less likely to hurt herself. Consider purchasing your child a peeler that has a safety edge or that is designed specifically for children to further reduce her risk of injury. In certain instances, peeling a vegetable removes many of the beneficial nutrients. Encourage your child to give the skin a try before she peels it, but always wash the peel first.
