There are many foods that are associated with summer; burgers, watermelon, and of course popsicles, to name a few.
While these are all delicious, they don’t exactly cover all the essential food groups.
Getting the kids pumped about eating their fruits and veggies in the hot summer months can be a real challenge, but we have a secret that will turn it all around.
As Mommy Underground reports:
Mothers are notorious for sneaking “healthy food” into “fun food”, trying to get our kids to down all the stuff we think (or know) they will reject.
With these simple seven recipes for kids you will have them getting their daily recommended dose of vitamins in no time.
What’s even better is that they are all perfect for cooling down after a morning of fun in the sun.
1. Make Watermelon Fruit Pizza
Kids love pizza! It’s a rite a passage for children, and most of us never grow out of it. Watermelon pizza is exactly as delightful as it sounds. It’s a watermelon treat in pizza shapes.
Start by cutting a watermelon in half, and then saw discs about one inch thick. Cut the rind off before to make the whole slice edible, or don’t if the children are older.
Top the disc with Greek yogurt, shredded coconut, and fresh fruit like blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries.
When you’re finished you will have a good source of protein and fruit, and you can add some carbs by garnishing granola.
Cut into slices and serve. They taste good chopped up to eat with a spoon later if kept in the fridge.
2. Spinach Spaghetti
Usually toddlers and school-age kids alike wince at the sight of green food, but with this handy trick you can add a healthy amount of spinach to their beloved pasta without them even noticing.
Chop spinach up into fine little bits, or put it into a food processor. Stir the spinach pieces into the pasta sauce while it is heating up.
Pour the sauce and spinach blend on a bed of spaghetti, and then top with cheese to cover up any “tracks” of greenery.
3. Frozen Fruit and Vegetables
This is so simple, yet so delicious. Place frozen grapes, strawberries, and peas into the freezer.
Pull them out and sort them into little cups on a tray to bring the kids while they are playing outside.
The frozen treats will be so refreshing that they will not even notice they are chowing down on whole fruit and veggies.
4. Cauliflower Crust Pizza
This naturally gluten-free crust is great for adding vegetables to Americas favorite food, especially when you have a “cheese only” kid.
And if you are on the famous keto diet and thought you would never taste pizza again, this is for you.
Pulse 2 pounds of cooked or thawed cauliflower in a food processor until it is “riced”, then squeeze all the moisture out of the riced cauliflower with a nut milk bag, or cheese cloth.
Once the mixture is dry, add 2 eggs, 1/3 cup goat cheese, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and a pinch of salt to it and stir.
Spread it on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper with a spatula, and bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees.
Take the crust out and flip it onto the baking sheet (no need to add another piece of parchment when the underside is cooked.
Put it back in the oven for 10 minutes. Add your favorite toppings and cheese and then bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Let it cool for 10 minutes, and then slice. Enjoy it warm, and your kids will have no idea the extra veggies they are consuming.
5. Sweet Potato Fries
Kids would live on fries if they could. When you make sweet potato fries you wont mind that they eat 2 plates of it for lunch.
Begin by cutting a sweet potato into ¼” slices. Then wash them in a bowl of cold water, leaving them in to soak for 30 minutes.
Cover them with a light coating of oil, and then coat them in cornstarch (a secret to making them crispy).
Lay them all on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper, and bake at 425 for 25 minutes.
When they are ready, sprinkle some salt on them and enjoy with ketchup, or whatever condiment your kid is into this week.
6. Guacamole
Put ripe avocado, lime juice, and some chopped garlic (if your kids can handle that) into a food processor and purée until smooth.
Chop up a bunch of different colorful veggies like celery, carrots, and red peppers to place around the inviting green bowl of guacamole.
The kids will enjoy dipping their own veggies into this creamy and flavorful guacamole.
7. Kale and Pineapple Smoothie
Smoothies are like healthy milkshakes, and they are so refreshing on a hot summer day.
A kale and pineapple smoothie is a perfect combination of fruits, veggies, and protein. Your kids will love how it tastes sweet.
Put 2 cups chopped kale leaves with the stems removed, ¾ cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk, a frozen banana, ¼ cup Greek yogurt, ¼ cup pineapple chunks, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, and 2 teaspoons honey in a blender.
After everything is blended completely, serve and enjoy right away. This is a nice lunch when you are looking for an easy clean up before heading to the pool for the day.
Try any, or all of these recipes and watch your children beg for more of their favorite fruit or veggie meals.
Please let us know in the comments section what meals your kids liked, and how they turned out.