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
Wendy's stands out as the frontrunner, offering a meal with just 246 calories, while Burger King ranks last with meals averaging 475 calories. A typical healthier meal for children usually includes milk, chicken nuggets, and a side of applesauce or fresh fruit.
What are nutrient rich foods for kids? ›
Consider these nutrient-dense foods:
- Protein. Choose seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, beans, peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds.
- Fruits. Encourage your child to eat a variety of fresh, canned, frozen or dried fruits. ...
- Vegetables. ...
- Grains. ...
- Dairy.
Teenagers aged 12-13 years should aim for 2 serves of fruit; 5-5½ serves of vegies; 3½ serves of dairy; 5-6 serves of grains; and 2½ serves of lean meats, eggs, nuts, seeds or legumes. Teens need plenty of water – the cheapest, healthiest and most thirst-quenching drink.
What are the 20 most healthy foods? ›
3. What are Top 20 best food for good health? The top 20 best foods for good health include spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, blueberries, oranges, almonds, walnuts, avocado, salmon, tuna, eggs, Greek yogurt, quinoa, brown rice, lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers.
What should a 7 year old eat daily? ›
Healthy, balanced diet
- at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day.
- meals based on starchy foods, such as potatoes, bread, pasta and rice (choose wholegrain varieties when possible)
- some milk and dairy products or alternatives (choose low-fat options where you can)
Foods high in salt (sodium), such as some canned foods, processed meats (e.g., lunch meats, sausages, hot dogs, ham), and frozen dinners should be avoided. Some snack foods and store-bought packaged toddler foods are high in salt.
What is a healthy alternative to junk food for kids? ›
After-school ideas. Swap biscuits, sweets and chocolate muffins for healthier snacks like fruit and chopped veggies, plain rice cakes, toast with lower-fat spread or a fruited teacake.
Is McDonald's unhealthy for kids? ›
McDonald's Cheeseburger Happy Meal won't make anybody's heart happy. The cheeseburger is loaded with unhealthful fat and cholesterol, which contribute to childhood obesity. And the meal has more sodium than a child should eat in a meal, according to guidelines from the IOM.
Which food is good for children's brain? ›
Baby brain food: 7 foods to fuel brain development
- Key nutrients for baby brain development. ...
- Best foods for baby and toddler brain development. ...
- Eggs. ...
- Seafood. ...
- Leafy green vegetables. ...
- Lean beef (or meat alternative) ...
- Yogurt. ...
- Nuts & seeds.
Snacks with fiber or protein help kids feel full longer. Foods with these nutrients take more time to digest. Fiber comes from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Protein comes from beans, cheese, milk, meats, eggs, nuts, and nut butters.
Protein: Protein helps build and repair muscles, and most kids get plenty of it through a balanced diet. Protein-rich foods include fish, lean meat and poultry, dairy products, beans, nuts, and soy products. Carbohydrates: Carbs provide energy for the body and are an important source of fuel for a young athlete.
What are the best groceries for kids? ›
The Top 10 Healthiest Foods for Kids
- Eggs.
- Avocado.
- Sweet Potato.
- Milk.
- Nuts and Seeds.
- Whole Grains.
- Berries.
- Vegetables, Any Kind!
filters
- 1 Reese's Peanut Butter Cup83%
- 2 M&M's83%
- 3 Hershey's Kisses79%
- 4 Kit Kat79%
- 5 Reese's79%
- 6 Lay's79%
- 7 Heinz Ketchup78%
- 8 Ritz78%
grain (cereal) foods, including breads, rice, pasta and noodles, mostly wholegrain or high cereal fibre types. lean meat, fish, poultry and/or alternatives. milks, yoghurts, cheeses or alternatives — children under 2 should have full-fat milk, but older children and adolescents should choose mostly reduced-fat ...
What are 5 healthy eating habits for kids? ›
Here are some guidelines to follow:
- Establish a predictable schedule of meals and snacks. It's OK to choose not to eat when both parents and kids know when to expect the next meal or snack.
- Don't force kids to clean their plates. ...
- Don't bribe or reward kids with food. ...
- Don't use food as a way of showing love.
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)
