# @dr_ashleylucas on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DNnjRjxPF_M
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/79350979-dr-ashleylucas-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/d151d714bb.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-08-21T13:01:31.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Dr. Ashley Lucas (@dr_ashleylucas) — https://gondola.cc/dr_ashleylucas

## Caption

Tired of battling your kids over vegetables? 

As a mom and a registered dietitian with a PhD in sports nutrition, I get asked all the time, “How do I get my kids to eat healthy food?”

The answer might surprise you.

Stop trying to make vegetables a “fun event” with cartoon characters and start making them normal. Here is what actually works in my house:

Yes, healthy candy exists. Black Forest organic gummies, Yum Earth, Smart Sweets are all better than the dye-filled junk. But protein comes first always if candy is in the picture. Always finish dinner before dessert.

Feed them like you feed yourself. Protein first, vegetables next, then fruit. They need less protein than adults, but the order stays the same. Skip juice boxes and skim milk. Whole milk (if you want it- I don’t feed my kids milk) or water is plenty.

Snacks that actually fill them up. Hard-boiled eggs with salt, salami and cheese, pistachios, Fage yogurt cups, carnivore snacks, or chips cooked in avocado oil. Real food keeps them full and stops the constant “I’m hungry” loop.

The vegetable game. It can take 8 to 15 exposures before a child will try a food. Keep serving it without pressure. Add butter, salt, cheese, or dips. Mash cauliflower into potatoes. The goal is exposure, not perfection.

Most important: Listen to their hunger cues and never force bites. They are learning to trust their bodies. Our role is to offer nutritious options consistently and let them decide how much to eat.

Some days they will surprise you. Other days will feel like a struggle. Both are normal- You’ve got this!

👇 What is your biggest picky eater win? 

#PickyEaters #HealthyKids #ParentingTips #KidsNutrition #FeedingKids #ToddlerMeals #HealthySnacks #VeggiesForKids #RealFood #ParentingWins #KidsFoodStruggles #nutritionforkid

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 15
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## Credits

No public credits are recorded here. This does not identify who made the post.

## Tags

pickyeaters, realfood, toddlermeals, feedingkids, veggiesforkids, healthysnacks, parentingtips, parentingwins, kidsfoodstruggles, healthykids, nutritionforkid, kidsnutrition

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