School is back in full swing and everyone is trying to navigate their new normal while staying healthy at the same time. Many schools, in fact, are offering parents an opportunity to pick up a week’s worth of lunches for children who are learning from home.
While many kids are taking advantage of this, there are just as many kids who are eating from their own pantries. I am hearing from a lot of moms that they are running out of ideas for snacks and meals fast. Don’t worry parents, a good rotation of old favorites mixed with one or two new options is actually a good thing.
I would often wonder when my daughter was a toddler, how many times will she watch the Lion King? How many lunches of buttered noodles and strawberry yogurt would she eat while sitting in the same chair at the same table day after day? I expressed my concern to my pediatrician and her response, “Children love repetition, they love knowing what is going to happen next, it gives them a sense of control.”
She was spot-on, as she went on to tell me to embrace the routine and not to worry. They will create a new routine all on their own and this would include favorite foods as well. She was right.
It is perfectly fine if your child has a few select foods that they enjoy for meals, as long as there is some health benefit in most of them. Here are a few new ideas to mix in with the old favorites and encourage healthier eating among our school-aged children.
Healthier dipping sauce – Sure, cheese makes any vegetable palatable, but tomato sauce is even better. Don’t go and buy a jarred sauce since there is a lot of sugar and sodium in many of them. You can make a healthier sauce by buying a can of diced tomatoes and blend in a blender and add a few sprigs of fresh basil (which is a natural sweetener), to the blended tomatoes. Sauce can be served hot or cold with fresh veggies. If you must, warm the sauce and add a few sprinkles of mozzarella cheese on top
Make a shake – Many moms can attest to a morning health shake as a life-saver and kids actually enjoy morning or afternoon blends as well. Let your kid pick their favorite combinations and add a virtually tasteless vegetable powder to the mix to help with any vitamins and nutrients they may be missing. I use EasyPeasie.com veggie powder.
Take a break and let your child make their own snack or meal. Make it a challenge and get them involved in the process. Kids are more likely to eat meals that they create. Your job is to limit unhealthy options by introducing your child to the classic snacks we enjoyed as children such as ants on a log, and peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
Here is a delicious quick recipe for a shake that you can enjoy anytime of the day or night.
Ze’s Strawberry Delight Shake
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
½ cup strawberries, chopped
2 cups almond or oat milk
½ cup vanilla yogurt
Pinch of nutmeg
½ cup ice
Directions – Place all ingredients except ice and blend until smooth; once combined, add ice and blend until smooth. I also add a tablespoon of red blend from Easiepeasie.com to my shake.