I’m not one of those moms who can just have a salad; I need protein and carbs to fill my tummy and my kids are the same way. I’m trying to incorporate veggies into my family’s diet as much as possible, PLUS make it fun and enjoyable for everyone. My kids love to help me in the kitchen when I’m making meals for them, and adding veggies to their picky palates can be easy with these kid-friendly ways to sneak veggies into their diets.
My Tips on Adding Veggies into Kids’ Meals
Hide in family-favorite dishes. I’ve tried Impossible Meat at many local restaurants and fast food places, and to me, it taste just like traditional ground meat, sometimes even better. This plant-based meat is an easy way to turn any family-favorite into a plant-based meal. I use Impossible Meat in lasagna and my kids don’t know the difference. Another easy one is to add spinach into meatballs, and bam—veggies with your spaghetti and meatballs!
Dip it. Ketchup, ranch dressing, or peanut butter can be added to anything in my house and my kids will eat it. Offer new veggies with these dips and kids will at least try and hopefully love these new veggie additions!
The “Hulk” Smoothie. My kids LOVE smoothies and my fave is what I call the Hulk Smoothie: frozen spinach, pineapples, strawberries, mangoes, banana, and almond milk. Blend all items together; your kids won’t even see the chunks of green and they get their veggies for the day!
Healthy Fudgsicles. What kid doesn’t love popsicles? My kids could eat popsicles every day and especially if they help to make them. Use leftover smoothie or make a new batch and pour them into fun popsicle molds. My kids love fudgsicles, and my favorite recipe has bananas, sweet potato, unsweetened cocoa powder, honey, and water; just mix all ingredients, pour into popsicle molds, and freeze for a few hours—bam, healthy fudgsicles.
I’m not a dietician or nutritionist, just a mom who has learned to adapt meal times with healthy and fun meals that involve as many veggies as possible.