Green Leafy Vegetables For Babies And Kids
Spinach, kale, swiss chard, collard greens, lettuce, beet greensso many varieties!
Green leafy vegetables contain a host of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. They are particularly rich in vitamin K, folate, and some even contain calcium and iron. So of course, we want our children to eat them.
Except that bitter flavors are not those that they naturally gravitate towards, and oftentimes a ton of repeated exposures are needed before toddlers and kids learn to appreciate them.
And if you have a baby, research shows that early exposure to bitter flavors may help increase acceptance and shape food preferences that will carry into childhood and beyond.
So start early! Since introducing them to young babies can be a bit tricky, I show you exactly when and how to prepare them in my 3 month meal plan program. You will be able to incorporate so many different greens to your baby diet with ease and confidence.
Toddler Hidden Veggies Smoothie
This recipe is really versatile. You can use it to mask most any vegetable you are struggling to convince your child to eat, from frozen peas to cauliflower. And although it is named the Toddler Hidden Veggie Smoothie, children of all ages will love it. The recipe does call for 1 tablespoon or sugar or an artificial sweetener. Using stevia, which is an herbal, sugar-free sweetener, is a good choice.
Creamy Raspberry Chia Seed Smoothie
Chia seeds add so much thickness to a shake, and they keep you full for hours making this a good before school breakfast. Chia seeds are also one of the best sources of nutrients in the world .
If your kids dont like or cant have raspberries swap out for strawberries, peaches, blackberries or blueberries.
Calories: 255 Fat: 10 Fiber: 13.5 Protein: 12 Carbohydrates: 33
Creamy Raspberry Chia Seed Smoothie Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds*
- 1 cup raspberries
- ½ tablespoon honey
* I like to soak the chia seeds in the milk overnight, just add it all to a jar, cover and shake and place in the fridge. In the morning dump the contents and the rest of the ingredients into the blender and blend as usual.
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Smoothies For Toddlers With Food Allergies
If your toddler has food allergies, its easy to adjust a smoothie for them. If they are allergic to bananas, use 2 tablespoons avocado instead or try a teaspoon or two of nut butter. Use whichever type of milk you preferalmond, flax, coconut, rice, dairy, or even kefir.
We tend to use Silk Protein Nut Milk, Ripple Milk, or New Karma Flaxmilk in our smoothies.
Blueberry Yogurt Smoothie For Toddlers
This is a great smoothie for afternoon snack time. I like to keep bananas in the freezer so I always have them ready for smoothies . You can make this with fresh or frozen bananas, whatever you have, and you can always substitute a different berry, or use spinach in place of the kale!
And, yes, I put lids on these the second I was done photographing. I do not need purple stained rugs!
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Raspberry & Beet Smoothie
Image source: Buona Pappa
The bright pink color of this smoothie is 100 percent natural. It comes from the combination of raspberries and beets. The other fruits and ingredients in this recipe easily disguise the beet flavor. This recipe is loaded with nutritional powerhouses that add a healthy serving of vitamin C, iron, and other elements that are important for a healthy, growing child to consume regularly.
Find the recipe and a video tutorial on how to make it at Buona Pappa, a kid-friendly food blog.
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Repurpose Extra Smoothie Mixture:
If you have extra smoothie on hand after feeding your kiddos, there are a couple options you have to stretch out the uses of your smoothie mix.
If you have popsicle molds, you can simply pour out extra smoothie mixture into molds and stick in your freezer for a cold, refreshing treat to enjoy at a later time.
My kids love fruit smoothie popsicles so much, I sometimes just make the smoothie mix just to use for frozen fruit treats. Check out this post here for a recipe to make refreshing real fruit popsicles for kids
You can also just pour it into an empty ice cube tray for a frozen fruit snack that kids can enjoy too.
Any extra smoothie mixture can also be stored in your refrigerator if you or your kids want to drink it later in the day. Keep it stored in a thermos or pitcher in your fridge for 1-2 days, and just be sure to shake it well before drinking.
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Healthy Smoothies For Kids
What better way to get some fruits and veggies into your kids diet than a refreshing smoothie! These 10 healthy smoothies for kids are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or even a delicious snack.
I dont know about your kids, but mine get so excited when I give them a smoothie! Maybe it reminds them of an Icee or other frozen drink, but I dont complain because I know Im feeding them something really nutritious. You can pack so many healthy foods into a smoothie .
These healthy smoothies for kids are great to give your kids for breakfast, or send in fun smoothie pops for lunch. We also love them as after school snacks! The possibilities are endless with smoothies.
Mangos and peaches make a refreshing and dairy-free smoothie your kids will ask for again and again. For best results, use frozen fruit.
- 1 ½ cups almond milk
- 1 cup diced peaches, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup chopped mango, fresh or frozen
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Inspired by one of my favorite baked goods, this smoothie is low in carb and high in protein. P.S: theyll never know the spinach is there.
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large handful baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
Super thick and full of that coconut flavor, this is one smoothie that tastes like a dessert without the guilt so you can enjoy it for breakfast or a treat.
- 3 bananas
- ¼ cup almond butter *
- 14 ounce can full-fat coconut milk
- ½ cup coconut flakes
5. Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie
- 1 banana, frozen
Best Smoothie Cups For Kids
The Elk and Friends Glass and Silicone Cups are my #1 favorite smoothie cups. The straws have stoppers so they cant be yanked out, and the silicone sleeves make them super durable . Ive literally thrown these cups on the floor to make sure they wont break because if Im telling you something is durable, Im gonna make sure its durable! and Ive never had an issue.
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Peaches & Cream Smoothie With Oats
Sipping on this nutritious smoothie is like enjoying a cool, creamy frozen treat! Personally, this was my favorite kids smoothie recipe of them all. The subtle, floral sweetness of the peaches is so satisfying, especially paired with a dash of honey and fragrant cinnamon. With oats for added thickness and some creamy yogurt in the mix, this is almost like drinking a milkshake!
Of course, if your child isnt a fan of peaches, feel free to substitute with banana, pear, or even mango. And, if you want to add some probiotics, opt for a probiotic-rich yogurt made with live active cultures! So fun for sipping, but its deliciously thick texture is also perfect for a smoothie bowl topped with fresh fruit, granola, and chopped nuts.
Healthy Yogurt Smoothie For Kids
A simple yogurt smoothie doesnt need a lot of ingredientsso its affordable and quick to make. We love it as is, or with crackers or a muffin for a more substantial meal or snack. It has all of the natural sweetness you want in a kid smoothie, plus protein, calcium, Vitamin C and fiber. My toddler drinks it from a straw cup or in a reusable Squeasy Gear Pouch.
TIP: This is a nice starter smoothie for kids who are still learning to like them.
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Strawberry Kiwi Protein Smoothie Bowl
From: Lovely Little Kitchen
This one not only looks amazing, it also has plenty of greens in the form of spinach, and some frozen peas! Start your reluctant greens eater off with something like this instead of a side salad to win them over onto team spinach, and suddenly it will be on your grocery list every week. Yum!
Tips For Making The Best Constipation Smoothie
- If you cant find or dont have kefir, try half yogurt and half nondairy milk.
- Trade in 1 small fresh orange instead of the blueberries for an option.
- Use almond butter instead of or in addition to the coconut oil.
- Read more about toddler constipation here to learn what other steps you can take to help.
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Healthy Smoothie Recipes For Kids: Easy And Simple Ideas
Smoothies are just great, because they are so refreshing, packed with the benefits of minerals and vitamins. They enhance the immunity as well as energy levels of the kid. Minerals and vitamins are found in one very natural form in smoothies because they are very rich in fruit fiber. Particularly, smoothies dont modify blood sugar levels. Your kids will be attracted by their colors. In this article, VKool will show you 43 healthy smoothie recipes for kids. Try some of these smoothie recipes for kids and certainly your kids will love them.
What Are The Healthiest Ingredients For Smoothies
Blueberries: Packed with antioxidants, blueberries are an excellent ingredient for a healthy smoothie recipe. Kids love the taste and Moms love the potassium and Vitamin C that helps support a healthy immune system.
Strawberries: The major player in a strawberry is Vitamin C that boosts immunity and promotes healthy eye function.
Pineapple: Pineapple is another heavy hitter loaded with Vitamin C + fiber that supports a healthy digestive system.
Banana: With significant amounts of Vitamin C and B6, bananas bring the nutrition and the potassium plus they add a fabulous flavor.
Spinach: Spinach is loaded with Vitamin C, Vitamin K, beta-carotene, iron, calcium and magnesium and it happens to be on most kids top ten most hated vegetables. The beauty of this smoothie is that the fruit masks the spinach-y taste kids avoid.
Today Im sharing 15 of my favorite go-to healthy smoothies. Hope you enjoy!
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Can I Make This With Greek Yogurt
You can make this yogurt smoothie with Greek yogurt if you prefer. The result will be slightly thicker, but it will also contain more protein. Try it both ways and see what you thinkand if your toddler has a thickness preference!
TIP: We love this strawberry yogurt smoothie without banana as an easy option if youre out or if you have a banana allergy in the house.
Avocado And Banana Green Smoothie
If your kids are averse to eating anything green, it may take you a minute to convince them to try this one. But once they take that first sip, theyll be sold. This is a delicious way to ensure they eat their greens. The recipe calls for greens such as spinach, chard, or kale. For kids, you definitely want to use spinach, which has a mild flavor and is rich in vitamins A and K. The other key ingredient is avocado, which contains lots of beneficial fats. Thankfully, the sweetness from the banana hides any vegetable flavor and gives this smoothie a taste thats more appealing than its appearance.
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Use A Blend Of Fruits :
An assortment of textures from different fruits can help make for a smoother texture and richer flavor. Thats why I like using a combination of frozen mixed berries along with fresh ripe bananas.
Just remember, theres NO wrong way to make a smoothie! Feel free to use whatever you have on hand or whatever combination of fruits that you and your family enjoy.
Balance Your Wellness With Nutrition
Your sleep habits, immune health routine, and stress management activities might seem like different aspects of your overall health and wellness, but in fact, they are interconnected. How? Consider this: when you are experiencing stress, your sleep might be disrupted. This can increase fatigue, which then impacts your ability to cope with stress. When you are not managing stress and not sleeping well, your immune system function can be negatively impacted. When you are not feeling well, your sleep can be impacted again, which can lead to more stress, and so the cycle continues.
This might sound negative, but the flip side is when you are supporting one aspect of health, such as your sleep, then the others can benefit from this support. So, lets focus on the positive!
One way to help support these three areas of wellness is through good nutrition. By eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, youll gain vital nutrients that your body needs, like the B vitamins and minerals with antioxidant properties . One easy way to load up on these nutrients is through blended smoothies. Theyre not only easy to make, but theyre packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and healthy fats.
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Copycat Jamba Juice Razzmatazz Smoothie Vegan & Gf
This copycat of Jamba Juices Razzamatazz smoothie has a nice balance of bright, sweet, and tangy. Made healthier than the original version , this recipe is perfect for parents looking for a dairy-free smoothie option for the kids or themselves. Added bonus: theres less sugar in this recipe than there is in the Jamba version. Score!
Kid Friendly Green Smoothie Recipe
This Green Smoothie Recipe is packed with banana, pineapple and mango and tastes just like a tropical fruit smoothie! Your kids will love it and never know theres also spinach in there!
Its not a coincidence that Im posting this Kid Friendly Green Smoothie Recipe the day after Halloween I dont know about your kids, but mine love candy. I want them to enjoy Halloween so I try to let them enjoy as much candy as they want, but I also want to make sure they get a few extra nutrients in to combat all that sugar! Green Smoothies are the perfect way to ensure that and the added bonus is that kids will love this green smoothie recipe as much as you do!
My 2 year old will devour pretty much anything you put in front of him, but my 5 year old is a different story. One day he loves something and the next day its yuk. I feel like Im always trying to get him to eat more vegetables and although he loves broccoli, theres not much else he will try. But, I started making this Green Smoothie Recipe for him a while ago and he loves it!
Kid Friendly Green Smoothie Recipe Ingredients
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Kid Friendly Blueberry Kale Smoothie
Yes, another green smoothie that doesnt show the green! Perfect for kids, and make sure you go check out the post to learn why you should use the ingredients in this smoothie, and what health benefits you and your children will gain from drinking it!
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Smoothie Mistakes You Can Avoid
The following are common avoidable mistakes during smoothie preparation:
- Go slow on the sweeteners. Sweeteners like coconut sugar, honey, and maple syrup should be used sparingly. If you use ingredients such as the Açaí superfruit packs, you do not have to add more sweeteners.
- Aim to make a filling smoothie for your kids to keep them full through the morning.
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Can You Save A Homemade Smoothie After Blending
After theyve been blended, yesyou can save any of these healthy smoothies for kids by storing in the fridge! I recommend pouring the smoothie into a mason jar or any container with an airtight lid. Store in the fridge for 1-2 days.
To meal prep smoothies ahead of time, check out my tropical green make ahead smoothies to see how to make smoothie freezer packs! Or, try my peanut butter banana meal prep breakfast smoothies that you can blend and then freeze.
For loads of meal prep ideas and a stress-free prep strategy, check out my Mind Over Meal Prep course! Or, enroll in my Kitchen Confidence course to gain the skills to craft delicious, healthy meals without relying on recipes.
Key Nutrients In The Berry Crush Immune Smoothie
Mixed Berries: Vitamin C, Zinc
Banana: Potassium, Fiber, Magnesium, Vitamins C & B6
Almond Milk: Melatonin, Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamins E & D
Yogurt: Calcium, Protein, Magnesium
Chia Seeds: Omega-3 Fats, Fiber
Avocado: Omega-9 Fats, Vitamins A & E
Egg Yolk: Vitamins A & E
Ginger: Soothes the stomach
Turmeric: Healthy inflammation response, Soothe minor aches
Protein Powder: Additional protein add your favorite!
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Healthy Kid Friendly Smoothie Recipes With No Protein Powder
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From blueberries to dragonfruit, we have it all! These delicious healthy kid friendly smoothies are going to have you smiling as you watch your kids get their nutrition without complaining.
Most kids love a good frozen fruit smoothie but if you tell them that you made a healthy smoothie recipe, they refuse to touch it! The recipes below are all full of fruits but you can always sneak in some veggies. Spinach has very little flavor and hides well in a smoothie!