The foods that are really good for us often require a more mature palate. In other words, healthy food isn't always something your kids will like. When it comes to superfoods, the temptation to beg, bribe and bargain with your kids can become the kind of parental power struggle that makes up our worst nightmare. Sure, blueberry and açai smoothies go down easy, but when we get into the harder stuff like lentils and leeks many kids go running for the hills.
Here are four superfood picks that, with just a few tips and tricks, will go from yuck to yum.
Cauliflower
Kids turn their noses up at cauliflower pretty often. While many parents turn to the old “smother it in cheese” standby, it’s not the healthiest choice. Besides the general vitamins and minerals, cauliflower contains glucosinolates which support health. My son loves hot wings, so I toss some cauliflower in hot sauce and almond flour, then bake it. Just as spicy and delicious with added health benefits.
Lentils
These protein-packed pearls are high in iron and low on the glycemic index. Lentils are a superfood that can be easy to prepare, and they make a great substitute for meat in many dishes such as tacos and burritos. Or, try tossing them in a slow cooker to make a hearty dinner soup.
Salmon
If your little ones only know fish of the stick variety, don’t feel bad, you’re certainly not alone. I thought I hated fish for the first 20 years of my life and Middle Girl still won’t touch it. My other two absolutely love salmon, though. The omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon not only support heart health but joint, digestive and brain health, as well. Baked in the oven with an organic teriyaki marinade, then served in a bowl of brown rice and broccli, it makes a super-food packed meal.
Chia seeds
Magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, and essential fatty acids are all in those teeny tiny little seeds. Crazy, I know. But that’s what makes them the most magnificent of the superfoods. They go over great with kids when sprinkled on top of Greek yogurt or a bowl of cereal, but making organic chocolate chia seed pudding is probably one of the most decadent and successful healthy kid recipes I’ve discovered yet.
