How to Talk Your Teens Into Eating Meat

Mealtime can be a struggle when you̵7;ve got a teenager in the house. If all of a sudden you have a teen that refuses to eat meat, you̵7;re going to have to get to the bottom of this issue and be willing to get creative. You never know, your efforts may be rewarded with a cleared dinner plate without complaints.

Instructions

    • 1

      Open up the lines of communication and try to get to the bottom of why he doesn̵7;t want to eat meat. If it simply is a dislike for a certain kind of meat, ask him to come with you to the grocery store so he can help you pick something out that he likes. When the answer comes to ̶0;I̵7;m a vegetarian,̶1; respect your teen's decision and work with him to fulfill his dietary needs.

    • 2

      List the positive aspects of eating meat. For instance, the protein found in meat is essential for building, maintaining and replacing cells and tissues of the body. Vitamin B 12 is an essential vitamin that helps keep nerve cells healthy and maintains red blood cells. This vitamin is available as a supplement, but it is naturally present in beef, salmon and chicken. Iron, magnesium, zinc and vitamin B 6 are also found in meat. As strong as your case is for eating meat, if your teen is a vegetarian, he can get the protein and vitamins from other sources, such as legumes, soy and nuts.

    • 3

      Switch up the menu. Teens can be picky but they can also get bored with meals. . Slice up lean beef and stir fry with veggies and Asian seasoning. Make chicken salad sandwiches on whole wheat bread. Turkey burgers can be stacked high with lettuce, tomato and avocado. Swap out ground beef for ground turkey on Taco Tuesday. Try adding sauce and side dishes to make the meat more palatable and appetizing; for example, a flavorful orange-chicken dinner or a warm chili with cornbread muffins.

    • 4

      Model good eating habits. If your teenager only thinks eating meat equals a greasy, gut-busting hamburger, show him that you can eat meat and be healthy. Choose poultry, lean beef and fish. Incorporate these into your family̵7;s weekly menu.

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