Children can be very stubborn regarding their preferences for regular meals and snacks. To them, there's no changing what they do - and do not - like, and parents should understand that. Adults, however, realize there are certain nutritional elements that need to be included in kids' diets to keep them strong. To complete this task, families need to introduce healthy foods to tots. While this may be difficult - children may meet the additions with resistance - the effort will be worth it in the long run. Let's take a look at how parents can insert these supplementary items into a kid's eating regimen:

Add a pop of color

The senses are of the utmost importance to kids. Foods that smell, look, taste or feel weird are sure to go on their list of things they'll never try again. To combat this possibility, parents have to get inventive. Tots love drawing and painting with vibrant colors, so why not include those hues in their meals? Arranging healthy items in a rainbow formation will make children excited to consume them, according to Good Life Eats. Families should encourage their kids to try a new type of food that looks interesting to them, based on its shade. Tots will be more likely to give healthy items a go if they're visually appealing.

Arranging fruit in an interesting and fun way will encourage kids to eat it. 

Let kids choose

Most of the time, children will hold out on certain things - like bedtime or certain foods - because they want to maintain control. This can be challenging for parents, as they know what is best for their kids. To encourage tots to eat new, but healthy foods, families should involve the youngsters in the shopping process. Adults can allow their children to pick one new fruit or vegetable from the produce section during their next grocery outing. Kids will learn new words and be excited to test their discoveries, while parents can ensure their tots are getting nutritious options.

Always lead by example

There's a reason why parents know best: they've been around long enough to understand what's most beneficial for their children, up to a certain age. Kids emulate adults, so it's important for older family members to attempt to set a strong example. If tots see parents eating fruits and vegetables consistently, the younger crowd will be more likely to do the same. Of course, it's completely normal to indulge every once in awhile. Children should be aware of that, too. However, purchasing more healthy options will encourage both parents and youngsters to choose nutritious selections more often.

Use a kebab

Sometimes, it's all about presentation. While the color of foods can make them more appeasing, so can the way they're arranged on the plate - or this time, the stick. Parents should place healthy, but still vibrant items on a kebab for children to try out, according to Fit Day. Vegetables can be mixed with small pieces of cheese, for example. Kids will have fun eating one nutritious treat at a time. It's important for families to be mindful of tots' ages and ability to eat safely off the skewer. If anything, adults should instruct kids to simply pull the food off of the kebab in order to eat it.

Dip it

It's common for kids to have food phobias, especially concerning vegetables. Smells and first tastes can be misleading, and children may swear off certain items very quickly. To entice tots to test something again or to get picky eaters to to take their first bite, parents can try a variety of dips. Common examples include hummus, salsa or yogurt-based dressing, according to Parents.com. By concealing a little bit of the taste of the vegetable itself, families can encourage more adventurous and nutritious eating habits.

Test a liquid option

Kids don't have to get all their nutrients from eating fruits, vegetables, healthy grains and more. Instead, tots can drink their daily serving. This healthy mixture - in juice or smoothie form - may be easier for children to consume and enjoy, according to PBS Parents. The combinations are a fun way to introduce new tastes and help youngsters learn to enjoy items they may not have known they'd like.

It's understandable why so many children question new, healthy food items. The textures, tastes and consistencies are unfamiliar, and therefore, may not be met with positive results. As a result, parents have to become crafty and think of fun ways to introduce these items to their children. By arranging foods by color or on a skewer and using dips or a liquid method, families can present a more healthy meal to their tots.