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My daughter literally throws up when I try to get her to eat lettuce or any vegetables for that matter. She's also constipated. What can I do to get her to eat vegetables and to relieve the constipation? - Debra

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Dear Debra,

First, lettuce... don't even try it. Small children can't masticate and grind lettuce properly and it ends up acting like a film in the top of their mouth and they gag. Save salad for after they are 5 years old or so.

Second... fruit smoothies! And plenty of them. A fruit smoothie in the morning will keep any kid regular, plus provide them tons of vitamins and minerals, in a tasty, easy to drink, smoothie. Click here for my tried and true smoothie recipes.

Get a Vitamix if you can afford it. It will help you immensely with your situation.

Third, mix veggies into other foods. Does she like spaghetti or lasagna? Mix in some shredded veggies into the sauce. She probably won't notice.

Read this article too: Turning Children On to Vegetables.

What helps me get veggies into my kids is to prepare the vegetables and add a little fat to them. For example, zucchini sticks they can dip in ranch dressing. Same with steamed broccoli. My kids will eat broccoli happily if they can dip it in ranch dressing.

You may be interested in my new cookbook, Vegan Family Favorites: Tasty and Satisfying Recipes Even Your Kids Will Love

Go to www.veganfamilyfavorites.com and check it out (pictures of every recipe there too). The recipes in that book will be a godsend to you! Veggies and Dumplings spring to mind... oh my... yummy and nutritious and kids just gobble it up (so do husbands!). The book was designed with kids in mind. Your daughter will soon be loving her veggies!

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