All great moms strive to make sure their children are getting the proper nutrition.  Yet, it is not a simple task attempting to find nutritious foods young kids like to eat.  Introducing new foods to a preschooler that are not in the form of a chicken nugget most likely ends up as a tear producing experience for both the child and mom.  Even though incorporating items high in nutrients into your child’s food can be frustrating, it is not impossible if you begin by making small ingredient modifications and make wholesome foods fun to eat.

An essential key point to keep in mind is children learn from example, so if you are making good food choices they will likely mimic you and choose healthy foods as well.  Bring them shopping and allow them to see the items you are placing within the cart or get the kids involved and introduce fresh produce to them.  Permitting children to pick up their very own vegetables and fruits can create a significant difference in them wanting to consume it when they know they selected the healthy item independently.

Also, think outside the box in your delivery and find a method of including nutrition without altering the taste of a child’s favorite food.  One of the ways I learned to accomplish this, while participating in a Moms Meet webinar with Kashi,  would be to shave fresh vegetables like broccoli down to very tiny pieces and slip it into meals they love like spaghetti and sauce.  Youngsters won’t know the green, anti-cancer veggie is hiding within the sauce and will get all the benefits of high vitamin C and fiber broccoli has to offer.  Other sneaky foods with surprising ingredient suggestions include:

• Adding pureed pears to cakes and quick bread
• Shredding beets and placing them in chocolate cake.
• Tossing spinach into meatballs.
• Grinding oranges in smoothies.
• Combining pureed black beans in brownie mix.

Other ways of getting children to nibble on nutritious foods (they ordinarily wouldn’t eat without protesting) is as simple as purchasing kid-friendly food products which are pleasing to the eye and taste buds, but contain wholesome ingredients such as pumpkin,  carrots, and black beans.

Kashi, founded in 1984, is a pioneering natural food company devoted to providing delicious, nutritious foods that help moms add a bit of nutrition to their family’s everyday life the easy way.  The company makes an entire line of goodies with surprising ingredients in them.

Not too long ago I had the opportunity to try Kashi’s Chocolate Soft-Baked Squares.  Even though the snack looks like an ordinary brownie— there’s more than meets the eye!  They are made with nutritious ingredients like sweet potatoes and black beans!  They have a slight bitter taste, not to sweet, and satisfy the sweet tooth with positive nutrition.  The soft-baked chocolate-y snack contains 4g of fiber, 10g of whole grains, and 160 calories per square.

I generally always grab for snacks that are 100 calories or less, but these are perfect for kids on the go and offer far more healthy benefits than the average low cal snack.  My son loved them!  However, I have to be honest and tell you I wish they were a bit more moist and a tad sweeter. I’m looking forward to tasting the other items the company offers such as Banana Chocolate Chip Soft n’ Chewy Bars made with real fruit and veggie and Soft-Baked Squares Almond that contain sweet potatoes and beans.

Kashi’s foods feature a signature combination of seven whole grains and are natural, minimally processed, and free of highly refined sugars, artificial additives, and preservatives. I love Kashi’s mission to help people feel healthier and happier, so they can feel their best and do the things they want to do! When it comes to children always on the move, it is important to fuel them with healthy foods that can support their active lifestyle in order for them to do what they do best…being a kid!  If you are looking to add some simple nutrition to your child’s daily life try picking up a box of Kashi’s kid-friendly snacks!

 What tips do you have on getting young children to eat healthy foods?

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