Learning how to eat healthy can be tricky, especially when working with kids. Healthy Kids Inc is thrilled to have Samantha Samonte, a writer for Culinary One, share these delicious recipes with you.
Health is top priority and while a parents’ relentless thought bubble when dealing with kids everyday trivialities are; “Is he eating enough?”, “Is that good for her?”, “Why doesn’t he eat his broccoli?”, and “What else can I do to convince them to eat healthy?”, kids will be kids and parents? Parents will find ways!
A few tips I’ve encountered recently, capitalize on encouraging kids to be “friends” with their food and making food look “fun” to eat. Studies have shown that involving kids in food preparation will help them get to know their edible “friends” as they get creative, have fun and just maybe eat what’s good for them. Hence, it’s time to shun the “Kitchen is off limits rule” for now and maybe let them in on a few simple cooking goings-on. To start off, it might be best to begin with breakfast!
With breakfast being a very important factor for kids as they jumpstart their day, most working parents find themselves having a little bit of difficulty with this vital necessity. And what is the answer to this dilemma? The breakfast smoothie! Smoothies are as easy as 1-2-3 to make, fast and easy to finish off. And the only utensil you really need is a tall glass or a tumbler.
These smoothie recipes are especially designed from nutrient rich snacks your kids are already familiar with. Peanut butter, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, milk and chocolate! All you need is a heaping of vigilance, a bit of organizing and 1 minute to make these smoothies for your kids’ breakfast before they head off to school. Prep them up and store in zip lock containers the night before, pop them in the freezer and you’re ready for the next day’s endeavor. Kid’s love working with tools and gadgets, so why don’t you make them push that blend button just before they drink that healthy smoothie?
THE PBHB SMOOTHIE
Introduce this drink to your kids as the Peanut Butterand Jelly sandwich they can drink! For us grown-ups, peanut butter may be considered high in fat and a must to avoid. However, aside from the fact that kids don’t care about fat, it is also high in Protein and mineral content such as Potassium, Niacin and Manganese. Add in the banana and you get additional Potassium, Fiber, Carbohydrates, Phosphorus, Vitamin A, Iron and B vitamins. Additionally, this recipe calls for honey and not jelly, hence you get natural sugars, antioxidants and way more nutrients than the sugar content in jelly.
You will need the following:
- 2 tbsp unsalted peanut butter
- 1/3 very ripe banana
- 1-1/2 cup fat free or skim milk
- 1/2 cup fat free yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey
- 4 ice cubes
Here’s how: Put all ingredients into your blender. Press blend for a minute. Pour onto your kids tumbler and SERVE!
THE BLUES CLUES SMOOTHIE 
This drink comes off a cool blue, which your kids will surely love! Packed with highly acclaimed antioxidant - free radical fighting powerhouse –Blueberry. Not to mention an excellent source of Fiber, Vitamins C, K and Manganese. Additionally, Yogurt and Milk play a mighty big role in delivering the much needed Calcium, for strong bones and teeth plus Lacto-bacilli to keep kids tummies protected and balanced.
You will need the following:
- 1 cup frozen blueberries (if fresh, add a handful of crushed ice)
- 1 cup skim milk or soy milk
- 6 oz. vanilla yogurt
Here’s how: Put all ingredients into your blender. Press blend for a minute. Pour onto your kids tumbler and SERVE!
THE SWEETS FOR MY SWEET SMOOTHIE Highly recommended for the kid with the die-hard sweet tooth. You can call it the breakfast dessert! And what your kids don’t know is that, Strawberries not only a sweet treat, they are packed with Potassium, Vitamin C and Fiber. Mixed in are your smoothie staples Yogurt and Milk together with Dark chocolate and you’ve got enough Calcium and antioxidants for the whole day!
You will need the following:
- 1 cup frozen strawberries (if fresh, add a handful of crushed ice)
- 1/4 cup artisanal dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 tbsp honey to sweeten
- 1-1/2 cup skim milk or soy milk
- 6 oz. vanilla yogurt
Here’s how: Put all ingredients into your blender. Press blend for a minute. Pour onto your kids tumbler and SERVE!