Sneaking Healthy Foods Into Your Child

Sneaking Healthy Foods into Your Child’s Diet

If you have ever dealt with picky eaters, then you know how hard it is to make sure the kids get the right amount of healthy foods in their diet—especially vegetables. Kids are picky with just about anything that goes on to a plate at one time or another. Your kid may love peas one night and despise them the next. Kids are picky about the color, texture and even the size of all kinds of food. So, how do you make sure your kids get the healthy stuff in their diet? Here are some tips that can help you.

Baked goods:
Almost all kids like baked goods, especially muffins and quick breads. Take this opportunity to sneak in the good stuff. They will probably never even know the difference. For example, you can add whole grain flour to your banana bread recipe or add shredded carrots to your favorite carrot cake recipe. How about zucchini bread? Just make sure the green stuff is small enough to go undetected.

Add to sauce:
Another great tip is to add pureed vegetables to your sauces, such as spaghetti sauce. While there are some kids that turn their noses up to sauce, most kids will eat them. You may need a good food processor, but once you puree the vegetables, your kids will never know the difference. It makes it taste good, and adds some great nutritional value.

Think meatballs and meatloaf:
Do you have a kid that will eat meatballs or meatloaf? Jump on the chance to add in the vegetables. Again, puree the vegetables (try carrots) and add them to the meat before cooking. Also, another great way to feed your kid is to use leaner meats such as ground turkey or very lean beef when making these dishes. These are appealing and kids will never know.

Cut the sugar:
When you bake cookies, cakes and other baked goods, you can make it healthier by cutting down on the amount of sugar and fat in the recipe. For example, you can substitute honey for sugar and switch out oil or butter for applesauce. You get the same results, a great taste and it is far better for you and your kids, too.

Skip frying:
Of course fried foods are yummy, but they are so bad for you. Any food that you can fry, can also be baked. That includes French fries and tator tots. Simply place on a nonstick baking sheet, spray with cooking oil spray and cook until crispy. Your kids will love it and it is far better for them, too. Do the same with chicken nuggets.

Make healthy foods more appealing:
Another good idea is to make healthy food more appealing. For example, when you offer fresh vegetables, present them in a unique way alongside some favorite dipping sauce or peanut butter. Little baby carrots are sweet and easier to eat. Your kids might also enjoy eating frozen vegetables, straight out of the freezer. It sounds strange, but why not give it a try?

News About Healthy Eating Healthy eating impacts long-term success in workplace 1 Sep 2010 at 10:57pm Eating healthy and living well is about more than your waistline. Most people think about the visible impacts that healthy eating have on our lives, yet fail to consider what poor dietary habits can do to our careers. Healthy Eating/Angus Association 2 Sep 2010 at 12:18am HEALTHY EATING : ?Lettuce Get Healthy? is a newly formed group meeting monthly to hear professionals on nutritional ideas, share recipes and support one another in focusing on predominantly plant-based diets. Goals of the group are to improve health while proactively lowering the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Everyone is welcome. ?Lettuce Get Healthy? meets at 1 p.m. on the third ... Healthy Eating: It's A Bigger Issue Than Your Waistline 1 Sep 2010 at 4:29am Eating healthy and living well is about more than your waistline. Most people think about the visible impacts that healthy eating have on our lives, yet fail to consider what poor dietary habits can do to our careers. When we eat well, take in proper nutrients and stay active, we are making the choice not only to ensure our long-term health, but also to impact our long-term success in the ... Healthy Eating? Think Again! 2 Sep 2010 at 5:36am It?s Summer time! So we should be eating lots of fresh tomatoes, tuna salads, fresh vegetables, leafy spinach salads peppered with handfuls of bean sprouts and finish the meal with a healthy plate of fresh berries, right? Wrong! Healthy Eating Choices Directly Linked to Depression 30 Aug 2010 at 8:45am Healthy eating choices are important to avoiding depressed feelings. A recent study shows that eating a lot of processed food may increase a person's risk for depression, researchers in Britain found. Tasnime N. Akbaraly, Eric J. Brunner, Jane E. Ferrie, Michael G. Marmot and Mika Kivimak of the University College London analyzed data from 3,486 participants -- 26.2 percent women, mean age 55.6 ... Healthy Eating & Good Deeds Keep Carrie Underwood Upbeat 30 Aug 2010 at 8:00am Healthy eating is just one of many ways U.S. country music star Carrie Underwood, 27, says she has overcome panic attacks and remained upbeat while maintaining a very busy and stressful life. In her native Checotah, Oklahoma, she suffered panic attacks in high school, she told WebMD the Magazine, People reported. Christmas shopping "seemed to be my worst nightmare." That was because "I'm a big ... My Gym Promotes Healthy Eating to Fuel Children's Fitness 2 Sep 2010 at 7:39am SHERMAN OAKS, CA--(Marketwire - 09/02/10) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is kicking off their new healthy eating campaign by declaring September to be "National Fruits and Veggies -- More Matters" month. "This new health initiative from the CDC is great news for children and adults," says Matt Hendison, Chief Marketing Officer of My Gym Children's Fitness Center ... Orland Township offers 'Healthy Eating on a Budget' 1 Sep 2010 at 2:01am Orland Township, in conjunction with Exercise Nutritional Health, is presenting "Healthy Eating on a Budget" from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Sept. 30. The program for township residents will feature a registered dietitian who will discuss how to eat healthy without going over financial limits. The lecture will take place at the Orland Township Activity Center at 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. The program also will ... Nutrition and healthy eating 2 Sep 2010 at 12:36am Jennifer K. Nelson, M.S., R.D., L.D., C.N.S.D. Jennifer Nelson is your link to a better diet. As specialty editor of the nutrition and healthy eating guide, she plays a vital role in bringing you healthy recipes and meal planning. Rockford College ?Oatmeal Day? 2 Sep 2010 at 5:21pm Healthy eating was taken to a whole new level at Rockford College.   Healthy Eating Books & Resources The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Food You Were Desig... by Loren Cordain Amazon Price: $10.17 Customer Review: T...   Eat This Not That! Restaurant Survival Guide: The No-Diet Weight Loss Solution by David Zinczenko, Matt Goulding Amazon Price: $13.59 Customer Review: T...   Why Weight? A Guide to Ending Compulsive Eating by Geneen Roth Amazon Price: $10.20 Customer Review: T...   Eating For Life by Bill Phillips Amazon Price: $23.10 Customer Review: B...   Hungry Girl: Recipes and Survival Strategies for Guilt-Free Eating in the Rea... by Lisa Lillien Amazon Price: $11.36 Customer Review: I...   Betty Crocker The 300 Calorie Cookbook: 300 tasty meals for eating healthy ev... by Betty Crocker Editors Amazon Price: $13.57 Customer Review: T...   Fit & Fresh Fruit and Veggie Bowl Amazon Price: $9.99 Customer Review: T...   3 Ballerina Tea Extra Strength All Natural Dieters Drink Sampler Value Pack (... Amazon Price: Customer Review: I...