Kid-Friendly Super Foods

Can't get your kids to eat their brussel sprouts? Don't feel bad; most parents have the same struggle when it comes to getting their little ones to eat foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. These foods are not only tasty, but you'll feel great about feeding them to your children, since they are full of the things kids need to develop strong, healthy bodies.

Sweet potatoes. Most kids will eat potatoes in just about any form, and what kid doesn't like sugar? Sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber, sugar, vitamin C, and beta carotene, which is ideal for children's visual development, colon health, and immune system. And, you can prepare them in a number of different ways. Cutting them in thin strips and baking them with canola oil makes a great alternative to French fries or potato chips, and mashed sweet potato with fruit or toast can make a complete breakfast. You can also use these tasty treats for dessert by baking them with pineapple and brown sugar, and serving with low-fat yogurt.

Cheese. This is another food your kids will definitely not fight you on. Cheese is full of protein and calcium, which children need for healthy bone development and cell growth. Phosphorous, which is essential for strong bones and promoting quick healing, is found in cheese as well. There are so many things you can do with cheese, from creating a macaroni dish that your kids will love, to packing a few mini-blocks of cheese in your sweetie's lunch for the day. If your child is on a dairy-free diet, there are plenty of soy cheese and rice milk cheese substitutes that will provide adequate protein and calcium as well.

Chickpeas. Ok, this one may be a little challenging. But chickpeas are great for kids because they include complex carbohydrates and are full of fiber. Zinc and iron are also found in chickpeas, which means you can help to build your child's immune system as well as increase your child's energy and concentration. You can include chickpeas in your favorite family chili and serve with cornbread, or you can create falafel, an Isreali patty made from mashed chickpeas (this tastes great with lentils and rice, or served in a pita).

If you're kids are extra picky, here are some recipes that will definitely help, especially if the above ingredients aren't much of a hit:

Fruit Kabobs:

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:

1 large red apple, cut into 8 wedges

6 marshmallows

1 small jar of creamy peanut butter

1 large banana, cut into 1-inch slices

1. To make a kebob, carefully push a skewer through the ingredients, starting with a piece of apple, then a marshmallow, then banana, then another marshmallow. Spread a dollop of peanut butter on top of the marshmallow. Now, skewer a piece of banana and another marshmallow (with more peanut butter) and finish with a piece of apple. Repeat with a second skewer. Makes 2 kebobs. (from www.familyfun.com)

Easy Tacos

Prep Time: 5m

Cook Time: 10m

Ready in: 15m

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef

1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

4 (2.5 ounce) packages corn chips

2 cups shredded lettuce

1 chopped fresh tomato

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1/3 cup salsa

1/2 cup sour cream

Directions

Place ground beef in a large skillet. Cook and stir over medium heat until browned. Drain excess oil. Mix in the taco seasoning and prepare according to the directions on the package.

With the bags unopened, gently crush the corn chips. Snip the corners off the bags using scissors and slit open the bags along the side edge. Spoon equal amounts of the beef mixture, lettuce, tomato, Cheddar cheese, salsa and sour cream into the bags on top of the crushed chips. Serve in the bag and eat using a fork.

Nutrition Information

Servings Per Recipe: 4

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 917 cal Total Fat: 64.5 g Cholesterol: 134 mg

Sodium: 1355 mg Carbohydrates: 49.6 g Fiber: 4.5 g

Protein: 35 g (from www.disneyfamily.com)