No matter how much I try to convince him, he always finds a way to avoid them. I have tried everything, hiding them in his food, making them in fun ways, telling him that they will make him strong like his favorite superhero but nothing works. The worst thing is that when he is with other children and he sees that they eat them without a problem, he makes a face of disgust as if they were eating something disgusting. It frustrates me because I know that he needs a balanced diet, but I don’t want to force him too much and end up hating them forever. Is it just a phase?
Ugh, I totally get it. My daughter was like that for months! She was obsessed with mac n’ cheese and wouldn’t touch a single veggie. I’d watch her stare at her plate like it was the worst thing in the world. It was so frustrating. I didn’t want to create any tension around food but also didn’t want her to miss out on the nutrition. We got through it but there were days I felt like I was failing as a mom. You’re not alone, though!
I was right there with you not too long ago! My son went through a stage where the only food he’d eat were carbs, pasta, rice, bread, and anything green was a no-go. I started getting creative and sometimes I’d let him “help” in the kitchen. He loved chopping up veggies (with supervision, of course) and that gave him a sense of ownership. I also started making smoothies with hidden spinach or kale, and he was okay with that since it wasn’t a “vegetable” to him! I think part of it is just getting them involved so they feel more comfortable with it. But the most important thing? Don’t force it. If they’re refusing, don’t stress about it. I’ve learned that if you keep the pressure low, they might come around when they’re ready
My daughter was similar for a while. I’d make all sorts of veggie, loaded meals, but she’d just pick around them! I’m wondering, has your son ever shown an interest in a veggie but then rejected it right away? I’m curious if it’s more of a texture thing for him. I’m trying to figure out if it’s a specific veggie texture that’s off-putting. Anyone else had success with sneaky veggie recipes?
I’ve been there, and trust me, it does get better. My son went through this for a while and I felt like I was failing too. What worked for us was making veggie-based dips, like hummus, yogurt with herbs, or guacamole, and letting him dip things like carrots, cucumbers, or even apple slices. It made the veggies less “threatening” for him. The texture of a dip helped mask the taste a bit too, which made him more open to trying them. Plus, the fun of dipping gave him a little autonomy in the process. At first, it was small bites, but after a few weeks, he was asking for more! Sometimes it’s all about making food fun and less like a battle
Ohh no, that sounds so frustrating. My son did the same for a long time, and I thought I’d never get him to eat anything green
THX so much for your replies! It really helps to know I’m not the only one dealing with this. I think I’ve been a bit too focused on getting him to eat vegetables, and I might need to try the “no pressure” approach. Maybe I’ll try getting him involved in the kitchen, like some of you suggested! Fingers crossed that this phase passes soon. I’ll definitely keep offering different options and not make it a big deal. Thanks again, everyone! 
I completely understand the struggle. I went through this too and what helped was offering a variety of veggies, not just the usual ones like carrots or peas, but also things like sweet potatoes, zucchini, or even mushrooms. When he saw other kids eating a rainbow of different foods, it sparked some curiosity in him. Another trick I found helpful was not making a big deal out of it, just offering them on the plate without comment. When I stopped stressing so much, he seemed to feel less pressure and started trying things on his own. Have you tried offering veggies as a snack instead of as part of a full meal? Sometimes giving them options outside the formal meal setting helps too