Forcing kids to eat healthy is hard, especially if they are so used to their current eating habits. One way to improve your kids' eating habits is to prepare them their favorites while making them healthier but at the same time, more delicious. To help you get your kid started on healthy eating, here are the healthy versions of children's well-loved classics.
Crispy Chicken Fingers
Courtesy of Fitness Magazine, this makes for a good dinner meal. First, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F then slice 12 ounces of boneless chicken breast into strips.
Grab a dish and mix together 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of mustard. In a plate, mix together 2 cups of cornflakes and a dash of pepper. Dip the chicken strips into the egg and roll in the crumbs. Place strips in an ungreased baking pan and bake in the oven for 12 minutes or until chicken strips are thoroughly cooked.
Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs
Thanks to Eating Well, kids now have a healthier version of their classic spaghetti. To make the meatballs, place ½ cup of hot water and 1/3 cup of bulgur in a small bowl and let it stand until water is fully absorbed. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, spray cooking spray on the rack and place on top of a lined baking sheet. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix together 4 ounces of lean ground beef, 1 medium-sized onion (chopped), 4 ounces of sausage, 2 egg whites, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 3 cloves of garlic (minced), ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper, 1 cup of whole-wheat breadcrumbs and the prepared bulgur.
Mold mixture into meatballs and place it on the rack and bake for about 25 minutes. When done, blot dry with paper towels.
For the spaghetti, prepare a large pot of lightly salted water and wait till it boils. Meanwhile, heat 4 cups of prepared marinara sauce in a pan, add the basil leaves, place the meatballs, cover and let simmer for about 20 minutes. Add the spaghetti noodles to the pot and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.
Mac and Cheese
It is easy to whip up a healthy mac and cheese meal if you follow this recipe from All Recipes. Simply prepare the macaroni elbows according to the package instructions and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a pan and sauté the chopped clove of garlic until fragrant. Pour 2 cups of heavy cream to the pan and allow to simmer. Puree 1 cup of diced, raw carrots and add to the pan. Stir and add cooked pasta.
Stir in Fontina and Asiago cheese and allow to simmer again for another 10 minutes. When done, transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and bake until cheese has melted.
Orange Smoothie
Most kids love fruit smoothies, fortunately, Super Healthy Kids came up with a healthy twist to the delicious orange smoothie. To create a glass, you will need ½ cup of pomegranate arils, 1 medium-sized orange, ¼ cup of pumpkin seed kernels and 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Banana Split
A healthier take on the banana split is The Kitchn's Banana Split with Yogurt and Jam. Slice the banana into two, lengthwise, and lay in a shallow bowl. Place ½ cup of Greek yogurt on top. Microwave 2 tablespoons of fruit jam for 15 to 30 seconds or until runny and drizzle all over the banana and yogurt. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of almonds over the dessert and top with ¼ cup of fresh blueberries.
