Healthy Food Options for Kids

Vegetarian Pizza

If your child loves pizza try making it healthier with this option. You can choose to make it fresh also. It will taste even better baked fresh instead of an already prepared pizza. Make multiples at the same time and freeze them for later use. All the ingredients can be purchased at any local grocery store. Prices may vary from state to state. Cook each pizza at 325 for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Purchase one roll of pizza dough at your local grocers. They can be purchased for $5 or less. Roll it out onto a pan, unthawed. Spread desired pizza sauce over the crust. Try to choose an organic sauce. They are low in fat and are also high in vitamins A and C. Spread on a fat free, low sodium cheese. Cut up various vegetables and not meat/non fattening foods your child likes, such as tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, spinach, and more. Make sure you have about 1 cup worth of ingredients. Mix in a bowl or measuring cup. Then sprinkle onto the pizza. This will help to ensure that all ingredients get placed evenly throughout the pizza. Cook in the oven and enjoy!

Panini’s

This is a fun way to be creative. You can choose so many healthy ingredients but not lose the flavor and goodness of the sandwich itself. Teenagers will love this classic, fresh, and chic way to eat their lunch.
When purchasing bread for these sandwiches, try to steer clear of white bread. Wheat bread or sourdough bread has fewer calories and is proven to help with cholesterol and maintain a healthy weight. Bread can be purchased for $6 or less at any bakery or local grocery store. The fresher the bread, the healthier and better tasting the sandwich will be.

Choose ingredients that will fit your child’s needs and taste buds. Try putting on lettuce, tomato’s, onions, and other types of healthy vegetable. Choose a low fat or low sodium cheese. If you choose mayo make sure you choose one that is low fat. Lay it on lightly to decrease the amount of calories you are giving your child. Children who are young need calories and fat, while teenagers don’t need as much. To cook the sandwich ahead of time, use light olive oil. Coat the bread enough so it will cook but don’t coat it to where it is seeping in oil. Cook the sandwich on each side at 300 degrees, for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated thoroughly.

Fruit Cups

These cups are simple to make and take only 5 minutes or less. They don’t involve cooking. Parents can also prepare them ahead of time and store them in the freezer for longer use.  Because they contain 100% healthy items, your child will be getting tons of vitamins and minerals daily.
Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables for this cup. Grapes, raspberries, blueberries, watermelon, honey dew melon, pineapple and whatever else you think your child might like to eat. Mix the fruit in a mixing bowl and then place a serving size of 1 cup or more, depending on how much quantity you want your child to have. Then store in the fridge until they are ready to eat.