Get your kids to eat healthy food!!

photo by Jennifer Zappia

I knew that title would get your attention!  I have been helping out my friends with their toddler since he was born; babysitting, hanging out with and from time to time, cooking for the family.  One of the most difficult dinner time issues has been to get him to eat more vegetables.  Fruit?  No problem.  Cookies?  More, please!  Spinach?  EWW!  No way!  So, I thought I'd pick up a book to help me with some healthy recipes that would change his mind, or at least trick it!

The Sneaky Chef is a series of books written by Missy Chase Lapine, a woman who has had plenty of experience making two or three different meals each night since her kids wouldn't eat any of the healthy options she prepared.  I picked up "Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals." The beginning of the book would make anyone dealing with a picky child feel better, confirming that you aren't alone in dealing with picky eaters.  Combining foods that kids like (white pasta, cheese, hot dogs) with foods that are good for them (rolled oats, beans, green veggies) will get your kids to eat more healthy meals!

The author does a great job telling us which fruits and vegetables we should buy organic (basically any fruit or vegetable that has an edible skin).  She also tells the reader what staples are important to have in the house (various meats/fish, produce, cereals, rice/pasta, canned goods, dairy, nuts, oils ,etc).  The first 92 pages before the recipes are truly informative.

I loved the author's idea of using visual decoys to make food look FUN.  Who wouldn't want to eat a bowl of tomato soup if their name was written on it with a pureed vegetable mixed with cream?  I also thought calling smoothies "breakfast ice cream", for kids who don't like to eat fruit, was genius!

I can't wait to dive in and experiment with some of the recipes.  She breaks them down into "make ahead" recipes (like purees and juices), healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners, snacks, treats and drinks.

If you can't wait until I write about my kid friendly recipes, check out Missy's website and check out her tips, recipes and her regularly updated blog.

Have you ever pureed spinach with blueberries?  What about adding wheat germ to your turkey meatball recipe? How about adding cauliflower, sweet potatoes and carrots to mac and cheese?!  What are some of your favorite ways to "sneak" nutritious foods into your kids' diets?

 Chow for now!  :)