Since the day I got that first pink line, my goal was to make sure my child was familiar with lots of different fruits and vegetables. I loved them as a kid, and I had high hopes that he would, too. And he always has.
So, imagine my surprise the other night when he looked at me, squinched his nose in disgust, and said, “No, Mommy. I don’t want that healthy thing on my plate!”
It was an avocado. One of his very first foods.
Knife. Heart.
I was completely floored. So this week, as I wandered the produce department while grocery shopping, contemplating this new development, I remembered a DVD I had at home. It’s called Copy Kids Eat Fruits and Vegetables, and its main purpose is to show kids enjoying their fruits and veggies in the hope of getting your kids to do the same. Pretty simple, right? Kids, unscripted, eating healthy things and having fun.
Simple? Sure. But effective? I was ready to find out.
The DVD is split into 12 yummy chapters, each focusing on a different fruit or vegetable (Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, Carrots, Avocado, Tomatoes, Broccoli, Oranges, Bananas, Raspberries, Strawberries, Apples & Blueberries.) We have NO problem with fruits, but since there is a chapter devoted to avocado, I tossed one into the cart, along with a cucumber, and headed home.
Let me preface this by saying that I was a bit skeptical.
Could something so simple possibly work? Did I really want my son doing anything just because he saw other kids doing it? Doesn’t that go against the way I parent him? Using peer pressure for good instead of evil is still allowing your behavior to be influenced by the masses, isn’t it? Would I actually be happy if my son followed along just because the kids on TV were doing it?
Then I told myself to shut up, and I gave him an avocado and a spoon, and sat him in front of the TV.
The children appeared on the screen, and they ate. One at a time, they smiled, laughed, took bites, and had fun. And you know what? Within minutes, he was scooping up his avocado, too. What!? Yup. It seemed to work. The cucumbers, too (and he’s usually pretty lukewarm about those.)
My husband hid in the kitchen and I caught him peering out, curious to see if there was any merit at all to this method. The look on his face was pretty funny when he saw that it did, in fact, work…and work well.
Our little man even got a little riled up and silly watching the other kids. See how he can stick his face in the avocado and eat like a puppy! 
Goofball.
After we watched the parts we really needed, he said “Mommy! I want the tomato one!” then proceeded to get really mad at me because we didn’t have a tomato. Same for the broccoli, and the carrot. So I made them for dinner…and now they’re in his belly. Mama <– happy. (But it’s highly suggested to have an array of fruits and veggies on hand for viewing. If your kid wants to go on a veg bender, you should probably be prepared.)
Now, in this case, we’re talking about a child who has always been really good about eating his veggies. And fruit? Well, I have to limit him, actually, or he’d eat nothing else. But I’m willing to go out on a limb here and suggest Copy Kids to any parent who might be concerned about their child’s pickiness at the table.
Why Copy Kids Eat Fruits and Vegetables just might get your kids hooked on fruits and veggies:
- It’s produced for children ages 6 months to 5 years, which are key ages for developing healthy eating habits.
- The DVD project was inspired by a real mom, Cai Dixon, and her real child, Bella, who was hesitant to try new things…until she saw other kids doing it. A simple concept that proved to be quite effective.
- Copy Kids is endorsed by renowned Dr. Jay Gordon, MD, and approved by the USDA. The DVD has since been added to their Education and Training Materials Database for pre-school nutrition.
- Copy Kids is the recipient of three childhood excellence awards, including PTPA (Parent Tested, Parent Approved.)
And, there are more DVDs to come! The folks at Copy-Kids Media are using the same successful approach to teach kids about brushing teeth, exercise, tying shoes, and more!
The biggest surprise? My son has wanted to watch
Copy Kids Eat Fruit and Vegetables again and again! He calls it his “snack movie” and he seems to really enjoy it. I guess I’d better go shopping…
Learn more:
Buy it!
The DVD (115 min. running time) is available for $19.95 at
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