The key to getting kids to eat healthy is making the food look fun and attractive. Be creative and make it colorful, enjoyable, and healthy at the same time.
- Based on the age of your kids tastes will change. Keep this in mind as you try out with different foods.
- Make fruit kabobs. Use fruit such as strawberries, grapes, banana slices, pineapple chunks, apple chunks, kiwi, mandarin oranges. bowl on a few miniature marshmallows or maraschino cherries for extra pizzazz.
- Make fruit dips using yogurt, peanut butter, or cream cheese. Use the fruits over and serve with toothpicks. Let your kids dip the fruit into the yogurt. They won't even understand what they are eating is good for them.
- Make well muffins. Try flavors like blueberry, apple cinnamon, banana nut, or strawberry cheesecake. For an extra fiber boost, use part whole wheat flour or add a fiber powder like Benefiber.
- Consider deviled eggs. Many kids don't like fried or tousled eggs, but they love deviled eggs. Make up a lot of deviled eggs to keep on hand and serve with other fun foods above.
- Sandwiches. Try grilled cheese, ham and cheese, pimento cheese, or peanut butter and jelly. Focus on what your child will eat that is both nutritious and tasty.
- Avoid sugary cereals, donuts, Pop-Tarts, and pastries. They raise the blood sugar fast, and your child will practice a "drop" later. Most of these foods are high in calories and low in nutrients. Also avoid sugary chocolate milk and juices that contain high fructose corn syrup. These are also high in sugar and low in nutrients. Stick to 100% juice.
