How do you keep your kids interested in eating different foods? One thing I find that works is keeping them as finger foods. Picking up with fingers or skewers for older kids and offering healthy dips is a surefire way to get them to gobble up a variety of fruits, veggies and meats. Experiment with different ingredients and spices to broaden hopefully develop an enjoyment of flavorful and ethnic tastes. Don’t bombard them with everything new at the same time either. A new fruit on a skewer might entice them but a whole plate of green veggies could send them running. Keep it simple, keep it healthy and keep it fun.
Sparkling apple juice could really fancy up a little picnic on the carpet too.
- A half of grilled shrimp with a chunk of mango on a toothpick (Or fork for toddlers)
- A slice of roast turkey or lean roast beef wrapped burrito style around shredded cheese, greens, carrots and bell peppers with light ranch dressing for dipping
- Fruit skewers of mango, honeydew, cantaloupe and pineapple with a dip of vanilla yogurt and brown sugar
- Flower shaped whole wheat bread cutouts, toasted and topped with a blend of marinara and pureed roasted red peppers and sprinkled with parmesan cheese
- Cracker rounds spread with peanut butter and a thinly slice of tart apple
- Fruit pizza made with quartered toasted English muffins spread with light cream cheese and chopped strawberries and blueberries
- Sliced cucumber with thinly sliced ham and a chunk of monterey jack cheese
- Finger sandwiches of cream cheese and thinly sliced pear, roll out the bread to get a flat end result
- Halved and hollowed cherry tomatoes filled with cottage cheese or tuna or chicken salad
