We obsess about how important healthy eating is for us, but there are a few other people who rely on us to keep them eating well, too… our children! Making sure kids eat what's good for them can be difficult since foods packed with nutrition don't always please their tastebuds. But teaching kids healthy habits early on will make them want to eat healthy food later, which is a win for everyone. Here are 12 fabulous recipes to keep your kids happy and eating what is good, not just what tastes good.
Vegan BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches
This sandwich is a great dupe for the real deal in a handheld vegan package. (via Brit + Co)
Apple Cheddar Waffles
Take sweet and savory to a whole new level with these apple cheddar waffles; we promise your kiddos will love every bite. (via Brit + Co)
Vegetarian Pigs in a Blanket
This base of crescent rolls, cheese, and breakfast sausages are so yummy that your kids won’t even notice they’re eating veggie links. (via Brit + Co)
Whole30 Animal-Style Burgers
Make sure to use high quality minced meat for healthier burgers. You can also substitute beef for chicken or lamb. (via Brit + Co)
Paleo Air Fried Chicken Tenders
Less oil and no frying means your kids can eat as many of their favorite chicken nuggets as they want. Well, sort of. (via Brit + Co)
Thick Cut Oven Fries
Here’s another no-fry situation that leaves everyone, and their stomachs, happy. (via Brit + Co/America’s Test Kitchen)
5-Ingredient Bean Burgers
Beans are a good source of protein, and mixed with walnuts and cilantro they create a consistency that’s a perfect substitute for burger meat. (via Brit + Co)
Chicken Pineapple Skewers
Yawn, chicken can get oh-so-boring. Add some pineapple and a coconut peanut sauce to add some flare. (via Brit + Co)
This recipe turns a grilled cheese sandwich into a filling meal with its nutritious ingredients like vegetables, instead of leaving your kids to fill up on cheese. (via Cooking Classy)
Wondering how to introduce different vegetables to your kids? Like this! (via Damn Delicious)
If you can sneak all these healthy seeds and fruit in into yogurt, you rule. (via Fit Foodie Finds)
Superfood Egg Sandwich
Boiled eggs are a handy thing to keep available in the fridge. You can pull 'em out and whip up this yummy dish in just a matter of minutes. (via Brit + Co)
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Isara Krieger
Isara is a photographer who loves words, and a writer who sees the world as a series of photographs. She's an East-to-West-Coast transplant who eats a lot. You can find her foodie insights on her blog Alone With A Cupcake, where she shares her thoughts on the best restaurants in Boston, San Francisco and places in between.
FAQs
Serve lean meats and other good sources of protein, such as fish, eggs, beans, and nuts. Choose whole-grain breads and cereals so kids get more fiber. Limit fat intake by avoiding fried foods and choosing healthier cooking methods, such as broiling, grilling, roasting, and steaming.
What is a high fiber breakfast for toddlers? ›
Add fruit to whole grain cold or hot cereals. Add fruit, nuts or whole grain granola to yogurt. Add vegetables to scrambled eggs, omelets or pasta. Aim to offer whole grains that have at least 3 grams of fiber per serving.
What are the 10 best foods for a teenager to eat? ›
What to eat
- fruit and vegetables.
- starchy foods, such as potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates.
- beans and pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins.
- dairy and alternatives.
- oils and spreads.
Did you know?
| Grain | Vegetable | Dairy |
|---|
| Cereal | Fresh veggies with low-fat dip | Yogurt |
| Wheat crackers with cheese | Celery with peanut butter* | String cheese |
| Rice cakes | Baby carrots | Pudding |
| Trail mix (cereal, nuts*, dried fruit) | 100% vegetable juice | Flavored low-fat milk |
2 more rowsWhat is junk food? Junk food is unhealthy food that includes sweet drinks, lollies, chocolates, sweet snacks, chips and crisps, crunchy snack foods, biscuits, cakes, most fast foods, pies, sausage rolls, jam and honey.
What are 5 healthy eating habits for kids? ›
10 Good Eating Habits to Teach Kids
- Eat breakfast daily. Breakfast is essential for giving children energy and focus. ...
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. ...
- Eat snacks in moderation. ...
- Drink plenty of water. ...
- Listen to your body's hunger cues. ...
- Avoid overeating. ...
- Eat meals together as a family. ...
- Avoid eating in front of screens.
No specific diet is recommended. But children often do better with bland foods. Give your child foods such as: Baked or broiled beef, pork, chicken, fish, or turkey.
What foods help toddlers poop? ›
Fiber
- whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, and bran flake cereals.
- legumes, such as lentils, black beans, kidney beans, soybeans, and chickpeas.
- fruits, such as berries, apples with the skin on, oranges, and pears.
- vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, green peas, and collard greens.
Swap refined grains for whole grains to increase your toddler's fiber intake. Quinoa, farro, brown rice*, and oatmeal* are excellent choices. They not only provide essential nutrients but also contribute to softer stools.
What is the best fruit for toddlers? ›
Fruits
- Apples, peaches, plums, pears (all thinly sliced)
- Grapes, grape tomatoes, berries (all smashed or cut lengthwise)
- Oranges, grapefruit sections (cut into pieces)
- Bananas (sliced lengthwise)
- Frozen fruit (defrosted and cut into pieces)
- Avocado (sliced)
Start with recognizable vegetables for kids like carrots, celery and peas. Then, continue to think outside the box with a few new vegetables like jicama and zucchini. Making these vegetables kid-friendly also takes a bit of imagination, so incorporate them into sauces, soups and smoothies.
What vegetables will picky kids eat? ›
Best Vegetables For Picky Eaters
- Sweet Potatoes. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet and packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, which is essential for eye health. ...
- Peas. Small, sweet and mild in flavour, peas are an easy win for many kids. ...
- Zucchini. ...
- White potatoes. ...
- Cauliflower. ...
- Sweet corn. ...
- Pumpkin. ...
- Cucumber.
Our 20 best healthy recipes
- Garlic Chicken Stir Fry. ...
- Lemon-Pepper Salmon. ...
- Spiralized Cucumber and Jicama Tostada Salad with Avocado. ...
- Claire's Curried Butternut Squash Soup. ...
- Mediterranean Chicken. ...
- Vermicelli Noodle Bowl. ...
- Chicken Fiesta Salad. ...
- Grilled Salmon Steaks with Savory Blueberry Sauce.
What Snacks Are Good for School-Age Kids?
- home-made trail mix with whole-grain breakfast cereal and nuts and raisins.
- string cheese with grapes or other fruit.
- fruit smoothies made with yogurt, milk, or a dairy-free milk-alternative.
- ice pops made with 100% fruit juice or yogurt in ice pop molds or ice cube trays.
Choose fish, poultry, beans, and nuts; limit red meat and cheese; avoid bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats. Eat a variety of whole grains (like whole-wheat bread, whole-grain pasta, and brown rice). Limit refined grains (like white rice and white bread).
This sandwich is a great dupe for the real deal in a handheld vegan package. (via Brit + Co)
Take sweet and savory to a whole new level with these apple cheddar waffles; we promise your kiddos will love every bite. (via Brit + Co)
This base of crescent rolls, cheese, and breakfast sausages are so yummy that your kids won’t even notice they’re eating veggie links. (via Brit + Co)
Less oil and no frying means your kids can eat as many of their favorite chicken nuggets as they want. Well, sort of. (via Brit + Co)
Here’s another no-fry situation that leaves everyone, and their stomachs, happy. (via Brit + Co/America’s Test Kitchen)
Beans are a good source of protein, and mixed with walnuts and cilantro they create a consistency that’s a perfect substitute for burger meat. (via Brit + Co)
Yawn, chicken can get oh-so-boring. Add some pineapple and a coconut peanut sauce to add some flare. (via Brit + Co)
This recipe turns a grilled cheese sandwich into a filling meal with its nutritious ingredients like vegetables, instead of leaving your kids to fill up on cheese. (via Cooking Classy)
Wondering how to introduce different vegetables to your kids? Like this! (via Damn Delicious)
If you can sneak all these healthy seeds and fruit in into yogurt, you rule. (via Fit Foodie Finds)
