Frustrated over your kids’ refusal to eat vegetables? You’re not alone. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine out of ten kids in the U.S. do not eat enough vegetables. But what’s a parent to do when every single effort to prepare and present colorful plant-based produce falls flat? If you’re parenting preschool or elementary-aged kids who leave veggies not only uneaten, but entirely untouched, it’s time to improve your game by inviting curiosity to the table.

Here’s my 90-second tip on how to start talking to your kids about veggies in a way that genuinely gets them engaged.

Try sparking intrigue with questions about how and where vegetables grow. Ask, “Where do brussels sprouts live when they’re growing up?” How do they start out, and stand tall for so long?” “How and where do carrots grow? Can they feel the warm sunshine buried down in the dirt like that?” Imagine green beans holding on for dear life on a windy day, or colorful bell peppers getting washed by midnight rain.

Let your imagination be your guide and keep exploring origin of vegetable stories with your kids, even if they aren’t yet eating that particular food. Getting curious about vegetables is the first step toward ingesting them. Lead a playful and creative conversation at your family table tonight and let me know how it goes!

For more tips and inspiration on raising healthy eaters find me on Instagram @tabletalkcoach