Children can be really picky eaters, taking out all the greens and veggies from their plate until they're left with a heaping pile of whatever they happen to find tasty. So how's a mom to make sure that her kids are getting the nutrients they need and a good variety in their diet? You trick them into eating them, of course! Kale, for instance, is labeled as a superfood because it's so nutritious, but kids might make a face when they hear about the leafy green. With these tips, your kids won't even taste that kale coming so don't be surprised if they start making special requests for dinner time.
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Kale is rich in calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and full of antioxidants that could lower your risk of developing cancer. In fact, kale packs more calcium than a milk carton and more than twice the Vitamin C than an orange! Who knew? The leafy, green cruciferous vegetable is also a wonderful source of alpha-linoleic acid, a healthy fatty acid that promotes brain and heart health and reduces your risk for Type 2 diabetes. So it'll serve your children well if you add it to their repertoire. Here's how you can trick them into devouring a serving.
- What kid doesn't love chips? Offer them a taste of crispy kale chips and you might convert them for life. Easily bake your own by washing and patting dry a batch of kale leaves, chop up and toss with olive oil and salt. Afterwards, spread the leaves in an even layer on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, turning over twice.
- Serve up a healthy salad with kale, shredded carrots, avocado, pumpkin seeds, Feta cheese, dried cranberries, or any other toppings your child finds yummy. The more involved she is in making her meal, the more likely she is to enjoy eating it.
- If you have a green thumb and want to stretch that last tip even further, get your child more involved in the nutrition process by growing your own kale in your garden. Have her take care of the plants and then harvest them for a meal when they're ready to be reaped.
- Whip your kid a fun smoothie with their favorite fruits and our secret ingredient of the day–kale. Add blueberries, which are full of antioxidants, and use priobitic-filled yogurt as your base.
- The next time you make pasta, add some chopped-up kale into the chunky sauce. If you use pastas like penne or shells, some of those good-for-you ingredients will get trapped inside and go right down the shoot unnoticed.
- Kale is so versatile you can easily incorporate it into many of your child's favorite meals. Why not add it as a pizza topping or mixed into a bowl of mac and cheese with a bit of pesto sauce?
And remember, these tips can extend beyond just kale. Once you learn what tricks your child takes to, you can use it to incorporate other superfoods like spinach, brocolli, beans, and oats.
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