Eating more veggies can be difficult at times but this build your own salad will have everyone gobbling them up.
Kids Copy What They See
I am lucky. I married a guy who loves salad.
When there is salad available he always fills his plate with that first. That’s what my kids see. Dad eats salad. If there is extra salad in the bowl when everyone is finished, they send the bowl over to Dad to finish it.
One of the kids asked him one time, “Dad, why do you like salad so much?” He shrugged his shoulders and said, “I guess I just really like lettuce.”
I jokingly say that it is a blessing, but I am actually totally serious. When kids see the adults in their home eating healthy food, they are much more inclined to try it, eat it and enjoy it. Not every time, but most of the time.
Simple Salad Dressing
A yummy dressing is important if you are trying to entice children or adults to eat salad. The most simple of all dressings is healthy and delicious. I’ll write it out as if it were a recipe but really it is one of those “feeling” recipes, the kind your grandma shares with you when she says, “a little of this and a pinch of that.” I love those recipes.
Simple Salad Dressing
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar (or try a different variety – flavored vinegars work great here)
Quality Salt
Freshly Cracked Pepper
You don’t, in fact, have to mix this dressing up. It is best to plate your salad and drizzle and sprinkle the desired quantities on top. It doesn’t require a lot.
Build Your Own Salad
This is one of my kids favorite dinners because they have the final say on what ends up on their plates. Having lots of options that they can choose from will get them excited. Be sure there are a few veggies that you know they will choose.
If your kids don’t eat salad or veggies well, have cheese and meats available that will entice them to try it out.
Good dressings are a big deal. If your kids like ranch dressing, have it available. I like to have a couple different dressing choices available, to cover everyone’s tastes.
THE SETUP
Main Options – Lettuce, spring mix, spinach, cabbage, kale, etc…
Veggies – cucumbers, tomatoes, shredded carrots, peppers, olives, chopped broccoli, avocadoes, peppercini, etc…
Meats – lunch meat (ham, turkey, etc), salami, pepperoni, cooked and diced chicken, breaded chicken – cut into chunks, leave it vegetarian, etc…
Cheese – shredded parmesan cheese, feta cheese crumbles, diced pepper jack, etc…
Other – croutons, hard-boiled eggs, beans, cooked pasta, etc…
Dressings – simple salad dressing from above, homemade ranch dressing, italian dressing, 1,000 island dressing (1/2 cup mayo, 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons dill relish), honey mustard, or any other dressing you love!
I hope you all love it and gobble it up like we did!
