This time of year is the best for enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables. With so much in season, it’s a great time to introduce fresh produce to your kids. Make fruits and veggies fun by trying out these ideas below.
Watermelon is always a crowd-pleaser among kids. Make this summer fruit even more desirable by using it to create a “pizza”. Spread Greek yogurt on top of sliced watermelon as a “sauce”. Then top it with blueberries, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, peanuts, and any other fun treat you can think of. Kids will go nuts over this fun take on pizza.
Fruit Smoothies & Popsicles
Smoothies are always a great way to load up on many servings of fruits and veggies. Blend up frozen fruits; like mango, bananas, pineapple, berries with milk or juice to create many different flavor combinations. Because kids cannot see what they are eating, smoothies offer a great opportunity to sneak in extra veggies. I like to include frozen cauliflower rice, avocados, or handfuls of spinach. Kids can’t taste these additions, but they pack in the nutritious vitamins. Have a reluctant kiddo? Try using a fun shaped popsicle mold like unicorns or dinosaurs.
Veggies & Dips
When in doubt, offer a dip. Kids will eat anything that they can dip. Branch out and get creative. Offer hummus, tzatziki, baba ganoush, peanut butter, cream cheese, salsa, guacamole, or queso with a variety of snacking vegetables. My favorites are mini bell peppers, sliced cucumbers, carrot chips, and celery sticks.
Cut Produce into Fun Shapes
Another way to make produce fun is to use cookie cutters to cut them into fun shapes. Watermelon, cucumbers, bananas, cantaloupe, and apples can all be cut up to encourage more consumption. You can find cookie cutters in a variety of shapes including hearts, butterflies, fish, stars, and even airplanes.
Got a fruit or veggie that you’re not sure what to do with? Check out the fruit and veggie database from Produce for Better Health Foundation for recipe inspiration, storage advice, and nutrition facts for these items.