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 good meal to make for 12 people? ›
19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
- Taco Bar. A taco bar is one of the best inexpensive meals for large groups. ...
- Meatballs. ...
- Butter Chicken. ...
- Lasagna. ...
- Chili. ...
- Homemade Pizza. ...
- Baked Pasta. ...
- Skewers.
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.
Here are the top 15 foods you should be eating according to our experts:
- Fish. ...
- Broccoli or any of the cruciferous vegetables. ...
- Beets. ...
- Spinach and other leafy green vegetables. ...
- Kale. ...
- Peanut butter. ...
- Almonds. ...
- Mangos.
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 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.
Using Harvard's Healthy Eating Plate as a guide, we recommend eating mostly vegetables, fruit, and whole grains, healthy fats, and healthy proteins. We suggest drinking water instead of sugary beverages, and we also address common dietary concerns such as salt and sodium, vitamins, and alcohol.
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.
Serving budget-friendly cuisines like salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes can be a very cost-effective choice. Or, if you're looking for a more casual option, how about a barbeque? Burgers, hot dogs and other grill-oriented foods are sure to be crowd favorites, and they won't rack up a big bill.
What to serve 12 people for lunch? ›
Feed-a-crowd recipes
- Spiced salmon with traybaked sag aloo. ...
- Chicken Provençal. ...
- Chicken gyros. ...
- Sharing bavette with blue cheese, beef dripping wedges & ranch salad. ...
- Sticky tamarind tomato & spinach whirl. ...
- Summer vegetable & flatbread platter with dill & mustard dip. ...
- Spring sharing board. ...
- Waste-nothing loaded potato wedges.
Create a “Bar” and feed everyone cafeteria-style
There are lots of bar ideas out there, such as the Nacho bar, Baked potato bar, Burrito bar, Hot dog bar, Root Beer float bar, Hawaiian Haystacks bar, Sandwich bar, etc. All of these can be done on the cheap, and links to all these ideas can be found below.
What is the healthiest fruit for kids? ›
Berries Berries are a group of fruits that include strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and blackberries. The darker the berry's color pigment, the more nutritious it is. Berries contain high levels of antioxidants, especially vitamin C, which may help prevent cancer risk. Berries are also brain foods.
What foods do picky kids eat? ›
Our Favorite Meals for Picky Eaters
- Baked Potato Bar. With a serve-yourself baked potato bar, your little ones can assemble their own dinner creations! ...
- Pizza Bagels. ...
- Mac & Cheese with Cauliflower. ...
- Chicken Fajitas. ...
- White Bean Burgers. ...
- Peas & Cheese Tortellini. ...
- Veggie Wraps. ...
- Chicken Bites, Mashed Yams & Green Beans.
This includes fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, beans and pulses, and protein foods including fish, dairy and lean meats. Discover our full range of health benefit guides and learn more about how to achieve a healthy, balanced diet.
What are 3 different foods snacks that are nutritious and safe for children of this age group to enjoy? ›
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)
