Three Kid-Friendly Recipes To Try for National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month! Having a balanced diet is just as essential for children as it is for adults but getting your little ones to eat healthily isn’t always easy. We encourage you to try these recipes with your child for National Nutrition Month to help them maintain a nutritious diet and identify more healthy options they like along the way. Practicing a healthy diet is essential at every age and when done at early on, it helps to create great habits your child can carry with them throughout their life. Additionally, focusing on the proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. 

Here are three nutrient-rich kid-friendly recipes that your family can make to keep meals at home healthy, interesting, and fun!

Recipe for toddlers

Veggie Pizza

Your child may find their love for pizza early on with this delicious meal packed with fiber and vitamins to grow healthy and strong.

Ingredients you will need: 

• 1 pizza dough  
• ½ cup basil pesto sauce 
• 1 cup of corn 
• ½ cup of sliced bell peppers 
• 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese 
• ½ cup of sliced tomato

Heat the oven to 425 degrees and bake for roughly 10 minutes.

Recipe for school-aged children

Honey Chicken Kabobs

A good way to get your children to eat more vegetables is to pair them with the other foods they like. Chicken is a popular food many kids of all ages enjoy and tastes great with colorful veggies.

Ingredients you will need: 

• 2 red bell peppers (cut in 1-2 inch slices) 
• 3 yellow onions (cut in 1-2 inch slices) 
• 1 carton of mushrooms is optional 
• 1 carton of cherry tomatoes 
• 8 chicken breasts (cut in 1-2 inch cubes) 
• 1/3 cup of honey 
• 1/3 cup of soy sauce 
• ¼ cup of vegetable oil 
• 1 package of skewers

Place chopped veggies and chicken on the skewers and coat in the marinade. Cook kabobs on the grill or broil in the oven.

 

Recipe for teens

Loaded Taco Salad Bowls

This meal is truly the best of both worlds when it comes to having a love for tacos, but also wanting to make it healthier. Show your teenager how to dress it up with their favorite toppings and it is sure to become a new favorite.

Ingredients you will need: 

• 4 tortilla bowls (homemade or store-bought) 
• Shredded romaine lettuce 
• 1 can of black beans 
• 1 carton of cherry tomato (sliced in halves) 
• ¼ cup of chopped cilantro 
• 2 tablespoons of lime juice 
• ½ cup of favorite cheese blend 
• Sour cream or guacamole for topping is optional 
• 1 pound of cooked taco meat

Assemble salad ingredients in a warmed tortilla bowl, then top with taco meat, cheese, and sour cream or guacamole.

If you find it challenging to get your child to eat a balanced diet or are concerned about their nutrition, please click here or text (469) 382-3796 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced pediatricians.

Looking for more healthy recipes to try with your kids? Be sure to visit our blog on healthy after-school snack ideas here.