As a parent, it can be a struggle to come up with healthy meal ideas that your kids will actually eat—looking to change it up this summer? Here are some creative dishes your littles will love.
Getting Your Kids Excited About Healthy Meals
One of the best ways to get your kids excited about healthy meals is to make mealtime exciting. You can also sneak in healthy ingredients to the dishes they know and love.
1. BBQ Carrot Dogs
We all know that littles love their hot dogs, especially when smothered in ketchup. If hotdogs have become a nightly staple in your house and you’re looking to switch it up, try a bar-b-queued carrot instead.
Marinated in a mixture of vinegar, broth, soy sauce, garlic powder, mustard, and paprika for at least three hours, boiled carrots take on the taste and texture of the real deal. Cook the carrots over a flame for five minutes or so, put them in some buns, and top with your favorite toppings for a veggie dog that is sure to delight.
2. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
With black beans and sweet potato — two healthy foods that most kids love — you can’t go wrong with this recipe. Use ground chipotle to add some smokey heat, or if your littles taste buds are still sensitive, skip the extra seasoning and enjoy this naturally flavorful meal. Serve it up with cornbread, tortilla chips, or crackers to bring it to the next level. Make a double batch and freeze half for a quick weekday meal in the future.
3. Quinoa Bowls
If your kids love rice (as many do), try swapping it out for quinoa. Only slightly smaller but not much different in taste, this simple substitution can raise the nutrition level of any rice-dependent meal without raising any red flags for your littles. Serve the grains with chipotle chicken, pinto beans, and fresh salsa for a Tex-Mex-inspired meal. Tangy lemon tahini sauce, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes lend a Mediterranean feel, and pickled carrots, radishes, green beans, and gochujang — or chili paste — will transport you East to Korea.
4. Oven-Fried Fish and Chips
Crunchy on the outside with fish that’s not-so-fishy on the inside, you may be able to get away with serving fish and chips while having your children believe they’re eating chicken tenders. While traditional fish and chips are cooked in oil and soaked in grease, you can healthify yours by frying them in an oven or air fryer instead. Voila! All the health benefits of fish with a familiar taste that your kiddos will enjoy.
5. Goulash
Something about goulash sits right with everyone, even your picky two-year-old. When quinoa, oven-fried fish, and carrot dogs aren’t cutting it anymore, throw together this American classic for a meal your whole family will love. Use lean beef or ground chicken, low-sodium broth, and whole wheat noodles to up the health factor of this savory dish.
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