WASHINGTON — How to get your kids to eat vegetables? Keep one phrase in mind: Early and often.

It’s said to be best to teach kids to swim before they develop a fear of water, and the same thing holds true for vegetables — the sooner they start eating them, the better.

European researchers say it’s all about timing. The younger the child, they say, the more likely he or she is to try something new.

The researchers studied more than 300 little kids in three countries, tempting them with tastes of artichoke puree.

And if it the kid turns away at first, the little ones eventually cave after repeated tries — sometimes five to 10 attempts.

The researchers say it proves that kids will develop a taste for veggies, if they are fed them early and often.

And by the way, sweetening the veggies made no difference in the final result.

WTOP’s Paula Wolfson contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.