My kids love being in the kitchen as my little kitchen helpers.
So, whenever they help me cook, I explain the ingredients and kitchen tools we’re using.
They enjoy helping me cook and experimenting with new recipes.
Sometimes, I’ve even asked my kids to choose the menu for the day.
My eldest, in particular, enjoys learning to cook, and she can now make omelettes, sunny-side-up eggs, scrambled eggs, and grilled cheese without my assistance.
Aside from that, I always make sure that we have at least one veggie dish and some fruits as a starter at every meal.
However, you are aware of how difficult it is to get children to eat vegetables, aren’t you?
Instead of fighting with my kids at the dinner table just to get them to eat their vegetables, I usually prepare vegetables that I know they will eat.
But I doubt they’re getting all the nutrients they need just by eating broccoli, cauliflower, and cucumber!
There are so many more vegetables and fruits available that I don’t want them to miss out.
I also want them to be aware of the high nutritional value and rarity of some fruits and vegetables.
This is why I’ve decided to introduce my children to root vegetables and exotic fruits.
Of course, they’ll be confused at first, but with some simple explanations and fun activities, I’m hoping they’ll be eager to try them out.
Explaining What Root Vegetables and Exotic Fruits Are
I did a little online research to see which definitions and descriptions would be easier for my kids to understand.
The only thing my kids need to learn is how to distinguish which vegetables are root vegetables since they already know what vegetables are.
Britannica Kids provides the clearest definition:
“There are some vegetables that grow underground. Root vegetables are the roots of plants. These include carrots, beets, turnips, radishes, and sweet potatoes. Tubers are a kind of underground stem. Potatoes are the most commonly eaten tuber. Garlic and onions are plant bulbs, which are underground buds.”
That was simple for them to grasp.
Exotic fruits, on the other hand, are a bit perplexing because my kids believe that all fruits are fruits and don’t understand why there is such a thing as exotic.
I told them that, exotic is something unusual and interesting, usually because it comes from or is related to a distant country, as mentioned on Collins Dictionary.
So, this means, each country has its own exotic fruits that can only be obtained from that country.
We have plenty in our country here too, and buying them from other countries can be outrageously costly!
Back in the States, I remember seeing Durian for USD$40 for a single piece!
So, I don’t just want my children to know about exotic fruits; I want them to appreciate their uniqueness and value as well.
Show Images of Root Vegetables and Exotic Fruits
Giving explanations is one thing, but for children to remember and recognise, they will need to see some pictures.
I created a slide show and projected it on the TV to show my kids the differences between root vegetables and exotic fruits, as well as the various types available.
I then printed out some games and activities for the kids to play with, like matching names to pictures and colouring with real colours.
This genuinely aids in my kids’ ability to identify some of the exotic fruits and root vegetables they have learned about.
Here are some examples that your kids might find interesting to learn:
Root Vegetables
- Red onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Jicama (Sengkuang)
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
Exotic Fruits
- Durian a.k.a. the King of Fruits!
- Mangosteen a.k.a. the Queen of Fruits!
- Rambutan
- Langsat
- Snake fruit (Salak)
- Pomelo
This time, I’ve only used common Malaysian examples.
I also explain to my children how each one is unique in terms of shape, taste, size, and so on.
I’m thinking of comparing those from various nations the next time to show my kids which root vegetables and exotic fruits are only found in that country or region.
Bring My Kids on a Quick Trip to the Store
I took them to the nearby grocery store so they could see some of the exotic fruits and root vegetables.
Before we went out, we made a list of the root vegetables and exotic fruits from the images I showed them. It acts as a checklist for them to determine which vegetables and fruits they will find at the store.
They really enjoy browsing the produce and fruit aisles and seeing all the different varieties. We even purchased some to taste test at home.
To make their learning more interesting, I’m looking for a plant nursery or garden where we can go to see all of these root vegetables and exotic fruits.
It’ll be fascinating to see how they grow as opposed to the ones that have already been picked and placed on store shelves.
If you’re feeling more adventurous and have enough space at home, you can even get some seeds that you and your children can plant. Such a great way to get your children interested in gardening.
They’ll be thrilled to eat vegetables and fruits that they’ve grown themselves!
Although it may take some time before they can harvest the produce, the wait will be worthwhile.
Kids Should Learn to Eat Vegetables and Fruits
The best way to ensure that your children love and enjoy eating fruits and vegetables every day without complaining is to instil in them an understanding of the importance of those foods.
They must be aware of the health benefits that vegetables and fruits can provide to their bodies.
Experts recommend eating a variety of coloured vegetables. Different colours represent different nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
In general, root vegetables are high in:
- Potassium
- Folate
- Complex carbohydrates
- Fibre
- Vitamins A, B, and C
- Manganese
Explain why those nutrients are beneficial and why they must consume the variants to reap the full health benefits.
The same can be said for some exotic fruits, which, depending on the variety, can be low in calories, high in antioxidants, and loaded with vitamins, all of which are important for their health.
If you still find your kids refusing to eat vegetables or fruits, find some covert ways to sneak them into recipes that they won’t even notice.
What matters is that you always have some root vegetables and exotic fruits on hand.
So, mummies, happy grocery shopping!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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