My Teen Daughter Refuses to Eat Any Vegetables, I Had to Take Drastic Measures

What do you do when your child refuses to eat what you cook, no matter what you try? You offer options, explain the benefits, and maybe even beg or bargain. Sometimes it works. But other times, it backfires completely.

That’s when you start to wonder: is this really about the food? Or is there something deeper going on? Moments like these can make you question not just your approach to meals, but your entire parenting strategy.

She couldn’t predict what her daughter was about to do.

This is something quite common among parents, many go through similar situations. But don’t give up; nothing is lost. Try applying these few suggestions if you can.

A few useful tips

• Change the tone, not just the food: Right now, food has become a battleground. If she feels controlled, she’ll push back—even harder. So dial things down: drop the lectures and try curiosity instead.
  Ask, “What is it about healthy food that bugs you?” You might uncover it’s not about the food at all, but control, body image, peer pressure, or even a silent protest against something else.

• One plate, two choices: Stop the “either you eat this or nothing” trap; it just fuels defiance. Instead, offer two healthy options at meals.
  Example: “Would you rather pasta with roasted veggies or a chicken wrap with hummus?” It gives her a sort of control within the structure, which teenagers crave more than anything else.
• Set a house rule: no food waste. If she trashes fresh food again, hold her accountable, real consequences. Not yelling, just calm enforcement.
  Example: “You dumped $20 worth of groceries. You’ll help pay for the next batch.” Even if it’s symbolic, the message lands: actions cost something.

• Make one family meal non-negotiable: No phones, no drama, just one sit-down meal a day (or week if things are tense). It’s not about the food. It’s about routine and shared space.
  Rule: show up, eat something, be civil. You don’t need deep talks every time. The table itself sets the tone.
• Your body, your choice, but food is fuel: Acknowledge that she has a right to decide what goes in her body. Then add: “But part of growing up is learning how to fuel yourself, not just feed cravings.”

• Call a “ceasefire dinner”: Don’t make it about food. Order her favorite takeout, sit down, and don’t mention nutrition once. Just connect. Talk about school, friends, movies, anything but broccoli.
• Don’t make this a battlefield: Power struggles over food can damage your relationship and her long-term relationship with eating. Focus more on connection and communication than on control. Even small improvements in her eating matter less than keeping the lines of trust and respect open.

Getting kids to eat healthy is a tough job for every parent, but maybe a few smart hacks can make it a little easier (and even fun).