Healthy Eating Tricks for Picky Eaters!
Posted on August 10, 2009 under Nutrition, Our Speakers' Tipsby Hillary Irwin, founder of Simply Beautiful Mom
Sick of serving chicken fingers and French fries? Having trouble getting your kids to eat a balanced diet? Start thinking outside of the happy meal and get a little creative.
-Popeye’s favorite: Finely chop drained spinach (frozen or canned) and add to tomato-based pasta and pizza sauces (the kids won’t notice or they will think they are herbs).
-Make smoothies and freezer pops by blending fruits such as bananas, berries, and various “lite” canned fruits. Because you are using whole fruit (as opposed to juice), you will be providing a fiber boost for your child.
-Use canned pumpkin in muffins and cookies (you can cut down on fat while adding beta-carotene and fiber).
-Toss small white or kidney beans into tuna or chicken salad.
-Add extra vegetables to your child’s favorite soup. Often, kids forget they’re eating “vegetables” when it’s part of a soup or stew.
-When tossing a salad, add in some (or all) of the following ingredients: kidney, cannellini, or garbanzo beans; chunks of artichoke hearts; small “grape” tomatoes; grated fresh carrot; summer squash; whole baby corn.
