If you have kids, then you know that they can be a real bottomless pit. Unfortunately, children often reach for sugary and fatty snacks that are tasty but terribly unhealthy. In fact, eating foods high in fat, sugar, and salt as a child can result in long-term health problems as an adult. Obesity rates among children have tripled since the 1970s, affecting more than 13 million children and adolescents. Being obese can lead to a wide variety of health issues including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Because nutrition starts in the home, parents can help their kids make healthy food choices by not buying junk food (as tempting as that might be) and modeling positive behaviors. Involving your children in making healthy choices also goes a long way to ensure they take an active role in caring for themselves.
One smart way to reinforce positive behaviors is to involve your children in making healthy treats that are just as delicious as commercial snacks. It also can be an opportunity to share a fun moment together!
So to help you educate your kids about the importance of eating healthy, and to make life simpler for you, here are a few easy recipes for you to try out with your kids!
Fruit Smoothies
Smoothies are ideal drinks to make with your child because they’re simple, fresh, and tasty. You and your children can get creative, using whatever fruit you want, but here’s one we really love!
Ingredients:
- 1 banana
- 500ml of orange juice (squeeze it yourself for even more nutritional value)
- 4 ice cubes
- Cup of fruit of your choice (mango or peach is good, but feel free to get creative)
How to prepare:
- Cut the fruit of your choice into chunks.
- Peel and chop the banana.
- Put all the ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Ants on a Log
This recipe doesn’t require real ants, of course. Similar to the last snack, this one can be made with pretty much anything you have in your pantry.
Ingredients:
- Celery stalks
- Peanut butter (if you want it vegan, make sure it doesn’t contain honey.)
- A few raisins.
How to prepare:
- Wash the celery stalks and remove the leafy parts.
- Spread peanut butter onto the hollow of the celery.
- Place the raisins in the peanut butter in a row (so it looks like ants).
Fruit Skewers
These fruit kebabs are super simple to prepare and as yummy as they are colorful! They’re perfect for an afternoon treat.
Ingredients:
- Strawberries
- Cantaloupe
- Orange slices
- Pineapple
- Green grapes
- Kiwi
- Blueberries
- Red Grapes
How to prepare:
- Cut all the fruit into bite sized chunks
- Slide the fruit onto a wooden or bamboo skewer.
Hummus
Hummus is extremely easy to make and you can eat it with any veggie, chip, or even bread or crackers.
Ingredients:
- 14 oz can of chickpeas
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped finely
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 Tbsp tahini paste
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
How to prepare:
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then put them into a food processor.
- Add the chopped garlic, lemon juice, tahini paste, olive oil and seasoning. Blend until smooth.
- Serve with carrot sticks, celery stalks, or cucumber slices, or your favorite healthy chip (avoid greasy potato chips, though!).
If you’d like more, schedule an appointment with one of our nutritionists. We’re happy to help develop a personalized plan that gives you and your kids the nutrition you need to live healthy!