Summer’s finally around the corner, and this means kids are getting out of school and spending more time at home raiding the cupboard or out with their friends eating junk food. Why not look for ways to encourage your kids to eat more nutritious foods while still having their fun in the sun? Here are a few tips that any parent can easily incorporate to please both the big and little kids in their household:
Summer Tip #1: Bring on the Fruit
Kids are naturally drawn to frozen treats during the hot summer months. Instead of serving up traditional things like ice cream and popsicles, which tend to have a lot of added sugars and saturated fats, try making your own ice pops by freezing fruit puree in popsicle molds. If your kids are more into ice cream, you can try freezing mashed bananas, which have a similar texture to the creamy treat. Garnish it with natural spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla extract to add natural sweetness.
Try our Watermelon-Blueberry Ice Pops this summer.
Summer Tip #2: Make a Smoothie
If your kids love fruit juice, then they’ll no doubt love getting their hands on a homemade smoothie. Smoothies are a great way to add different kinds of fruits and vegetables into your children’s diet. When made right, they come packed with fiber, essentials vitamins and minerals. They also tend to have less added sugars compared to some of the juices out there on the market. Blend low-fat or fat-free dairy or yogurt with sliced fruit and ice. If you freeze the fruit beforehand, you can even skip the ice.
Start your kids off on the right foot with the Creamsicle Breakfast Smoothie.
Summer Tip #3: Get Your Kids in the Kitchen
Another great way to get kids into eating nutritious foods is to have them help when preparing them. Some ideas include making a fruit kabob by assembling your children’s favorite fruits on a skewer. Or you can help them create their very own signature trail mix by combining their favorite nuts, seeds, whole grain cereals and dried fruits.
Make our Apricot-Walnut Cereal Bars with your kids.
One last tip: When it comes to nutrition, practice patience with your kids. It may take a few — or many— tries before your child takes his first bite of something that’s good for him. If it’s delicious though, he’ll be hooked. So stick with it.
Hope you all have a nutritious and delicious summer.
