Most kids are excited that summer break is near. Here are 4 ways to get them to eat healthy and have fun all at the same time!!
#1. DRINK MORE WATER
The hot sun is bound to make the kids thirsty, just from being outside. Get them a really cute water bottle that will keep the water ice cold all day and be ready for them when they come in from playing outside.
You can still give them juice or milk at meals, but in my family, it's easier and clearer for everyone if the rule is that they can only have water, except on treat day.
#2. EAT MORE FRUIT
Most kids like fruit in some form. There are probably a few fruits that your kids really like. Keep their favorite fruits on hand this summer. Instead of fruit snacks, cookies, and chips, let them snack on fresh fruit.
Fruit is healthy because it has a lot of water and your child is thirsty from playing in the sun. Try freezing grapes and blueberries for your child to enjoy as a frozen snack. Cold watermelon slices are also tasty!
#3. MAKE HOMEMADE POPSICLES
Popsicles are easy to make at home and can be very healthy. Try one of the recipes below. Because these tasty popsicles are healthy, your kids can have one or more every day, and even more than once a day. Get some popsicle molds and make a lot of popsicles to have on hand.
This gives your kids the cool treat that their bodies are begging for. It also keeps them hydrated and gives them nutrition, and what kid doesn't like popsicles? Everyone wins!
#4. FIRE UP THE GRILL
Compared to frying, grilling food is one of the most healthy ways to cook it. When you add in the fact that kids like things to be simple, it's easy to come up with healthy dinners that don't require much work every night.
Use this time to grill different kinds of meat and serve them with whatever vegetable your child wants. Don't worry if the only vegetable he'll eat is green beans. You can work on more vegetables at another time. Just give him more of what he likes right now.
The goal is to get your child to eat well and healthy enough that they will have good habits that they will carry with them into adulthood. And one day they will be able to make good decisions on their own.
This summer, everyone in your family needs to drink more water, eat more fruit, and use the grill. This summer, you can really make a difference in how your child eats.
HAPPY SUMMER!!!
Orange Creamsicles
(Makes 10 popsicles)
***you will need a popsicle mold to make these delicious popsicles!***
2 cups orange juice
2 cups almond, coconut, or other plant-based milk
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 tablespoons honey (optional and only needed if your oranges aren’t too sweet)
Place the orange juice, plant milk, orange zest, and honey into a bowl and whisk to combine. Pour the mixture evenly into the popsicle mold. Place the lid onto the mold, add a popsicle stick to each popsicle, and place into the freezer. Freeze for at least 8 hours or preferable overnight. When you are ready to enjoy a popsicle, run the mold under warm water until the popsicle releases from the mold.
Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles
(Makes about 6 popsicles)
1 pound of strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped
2 lemons, juiced
3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
3 cups water
Place the strawberries into a medium-sized bowl and mash with a potato masher until the strawberries are slightly broken down and have released a bit of juice. Set aside.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the lemon juice and maple syrup together. Add the water to the bowl and stir to combine. Taste and adjust with more water or maple syrup as needed.
Place 1/4 cup of the strawberries into each popsicle mold. Pour the lemonade over the strawberries, filling the mold. Place a popsicle stick into each mold and freeze for at least two hours.
Author: Aria Roberts, RN, School Nurse
Recipe Sources:
http://girlontherange.com/dessert/orange-creamsicles/
http://girlontherange.com/dessert/strawberry-lemonade-popsicles/