8 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes You'll Love Too (2024)

Jul62016

8 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes You'll Love Too (1)Hi Hungry Girl,

My kids are out of school for the summer, so I'm feeding them all day long. Do you have any kid-friendly recipes that my husband and I will like too?

Hungry Mom

8 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes You'll Love Too (2)Hi Hungry Mom,

I always joke that I have the taste buds of a twelve-year-old, so YES, I have plenty of recipes your kids will enjoy! Here are eight great ones to whip up this summer...

Cheesy Cauliflower Tater Tots

1/4th of recipe (7 tater tots): 68 calories, 2g total fat (1g sat. fat), 291mg sodium, 6.5g carbs, 2g fiber, 2g sugars, 6g protein

SmartPoints® value 2*

Since it debuted in , this recipe has become an HG classic! There aren't any actual potatoes in these tots, but your kids will never know. (Unless you ask for their help... These are pretty fun to make!)

French Toast Nuggets

Entire recipe: 197 calories, 5g total fat (1g sat. fat), 402mg sodium, 25g carbs, 2g fiber, 3.5g sugars, 11.5g protein

SmartPoints® value 6*

Nugget-shaped food is just more appealing to little ones! This French toast is actually made from a hot dog bun, which you just might have sitting around your kitchen thanks to summer cookouts. Perfect. Check out too!

Spaghetti Squash Pizza Pie

1/4th of recipe: 211 calories, 5.5g total fat (2.5g sat. fat), 709mg sodium, 27g carbs, 6g fiber, 11.5g sugars, 14.5g protein

SmartPoints® value 3*

Spaghetti and pizza in one -- it doesn't get any more kid friendly! This dish has all the cheesy, saucy goodness you'd expect from a pizza-pasta mash-up. Plus, it's loaded with veggies like mushrooms, bell pepper, and (instead of actual pasta) spaghetti squash. It's a total win-win.

Turkey Meatloaf Cupcakes

1/12th of recipe (1 meatloaf cupcake): 150 calories, 4.5g total fat (1.5g sat. fat), 280mg sodium, 15g carbs, 2g fiber, 3g sugars, 12.5g protein

SmartPoints® value 4*

Why will kids love these miniature meatloaves? 1. They're made in a muffin pan, so each serving is the perfect size for little hands. 2. They're topped with mashed potatoes. 3. They're adorable (check out the pea'n carrotsprinkles)! And you'll love 'em because they're loaded with protein and make a great mid-day snack.

Rockin' Rainbow Grilled Cheese

Entire recipe: 270 calories, 13g total fat (6.5g sat. fat), 733mg sodium, 21.5g carbs, 5g fiber, 4.5g sugars, 19.5g protein

SmartPoints® value 9*

Multi-colored grilled cheese? Heck, yes! Give your kids a summertime treat by adding rainbow shades of food coloring (there are all-natural versions available!) to their grilled-cheese sandwiches. So pretty, and it tastes amazing... Watch how it's made!

Clean & Hungry Chicken Nuggets

1/2 of recipe (5 nuggets): 179 calories, 3g total fat (0.5g sat. fat), 377mg sodium, 7.5g carbs, 1g fiber, 1g sugars, 28g protein

SmartPoints® value 3*

Ah, chicken nuggets. The only way to improve on this kid classic is to make it healthier! These all-natural nuggets are coated with egg whites and a mix of whole-wheat breadcrumbs and tasty seasonings before being baked in the oven. Crispy, delicious, and totally good for you.

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

1/5th of recipe (about 1 1/2 cups): 255 calories, 5.5g total fat (3g sat. fat), 549mg sodium, 39g carbs, 6.5g fiber, 8.5g sugars, 13.5g protein

SmartPoints® value 6*

This recipe for a childhood favorite is pumped up with cauliflower and butternut squash, and the veggies blend in seamlessly. Plus, it's made in a slow cooker, so you can set it and forget it while you do more important things... like keep your kids out of trouble!

Chocolate Banana Nachos

Entire recipe: 191 calories, 4g total fat (2g sat. fat), 13mg sodium, 37.5g carbs, 4g fiber, 12.5g sugars, 3g protein

SmartPoints® value 5*

Let's bring it home with dessert. You'd think dessert nachos would be a nutritional disaster, but not if you make 'em the Hungry Girl way. These nachos are baked and made with just three ingredients: corn tortillas, banana, and mini chocolate chips. Fun to assemble, too!

Chew on this:

Speaking of kid-friendly food, today, July 6th, is National Fried Chicken Day. Check out this Gaga for Fried Chicken Swap for a low-calorie fix...

You're not the only one with hungry girls (and boys) running around... Click "Send to a Friend" ASAP.

Have a Question for Hungry Girl?

Send it in!She answers new Qs each week (but cannot respond to emails personally).

8 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes You'll Love Too (11)

We may receive affiliate compensation from some of these links. Prices and availability are subject to change.

We may have received free samples of food, which in no way influences whether these products are reviewed favorably, unfavorably, mentioned with indifference, or mentioned at all. Click for more about oureditorialandadvertisingpolicies.

*The WW Points®values for these products and/or recipes were calculated by Hungry Girl and are not an endorsem*nt or approval of the product, recipe or its manufacturer or developer by WW International, Inc., the owner of thePoints® trademark.

Questions on the WW Points® values listed?Click here.

Hungry Girl provides general information about food and lifestyle. This information and any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.Click herefor more information.

8 Healthy Kid-Friendly Recipes You'll Love Too (2024)

FAQs

What should a 7 year old eat? ›

Editor's choice
  • Crunchy chicken goujons with carrot 'fries' 172. ...
  • Vegetable fried rice with egg ribbons. 0 comments.
  • Fish and veggie parcels with couscous. 0 comments.
  • Veggie cannelloni bake. 0 comments.
  • Baked fish burgers. ...
  • Crunchy quinoa chicken nuggets. ...
  • Instant pepperoni and rocket pizza. ...
  • Lemon and thyme cod goujons and chips.

What should a 5 10 year old eat? ›

They should receive a lot of high-energy foods, such as carbohydrates in the form of whole-grain cereals, full-fat dairy or soy milk, vegetable oils, fruits (two servings) and vegetables in boiled, baked, steamed or sautéed form (three servings). A little butter is also helpful in adding energy for their needs.

What are the 10 most healthy foods? ›

Here are the top 15 foods you should be eating according to our experts:
  1. Fish. ...
  2. Broccoli or any of the cruciferous vegetables. ...
  3. Beets. ...
  4. Spinach and other leafy green vegetables. ...
  5. Kale. ...
  6. Peanut butter. ...
  7. Almonds. ...
  8. Mangos.
Apr 5, 2019

What foods do 11 year olds eat? ›

Feeding Your Child - Ages 10-12
Food GroupSuggested Servings
Milk/Dairy Milk Yogurt Cheese4 daily
Meat/Protein* Beef, Pork, Fish, Poultry Eggs Peanut Butter4 daily
Fruit/Vegetables Fruit Fruit Juice Vegetables4-6 daily
Breads/Cereals Whole grain bread Hot cereal, rice, pasta Ready-to-eat cereal Crackers6-11 daily
2 more rows

What food makes kids happy? ›

Dark leafy greens are high in Vitamin B-12, B9 (also known asfolate) and other B-vitamins. B-vitamins get an “A+” when it comes to producing natural brain chemicals that positively affect mood and other brain functions. Common leafy greens that you can grow in your garden include kale and spinach.

What foods affect kids mood? ›

Children who eat sugary cereals, white bread, lollies, juices, and other sweet or refined foods throughout the day are more likely to experience mood swings and low energy. This is a result of regular blood sugar spikes and crashes.

How much should an 11 year old weigh? ›

They're likely to stand somewhere between 4 and 5 feet tall at this age. Their weight will probably be somewhere between 70 and 100 pounds.

Is 7 too late to eat? ›

So when exactly should you stop eating at night? Scientists can't agree on a single set time, but the consensus seems to be within three hours before bedtime. So if you go to bed at 11 p.m., don't eat after 8 p.m. Banishing late night snacks after that time could help alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux disease, too.

How much should 8 year olds weigh? ›

What is Normal Growth for a Child?
AgeHeight Females in InchesWeight Males in Pounds
437 to 42.530 to 44
642 to 4936 to 60
847 to 5446 to 78
1050 to 5954 to 102
7 more rows

What foods do picky kids eat? ›

Our Favorite Meals for Picky Eaters
  • Baked Potato Bar. With a serve-yourself baked potato bar, your little ones can assemble their own dinner creations! ...
  • Pizza Bagels. ...
  • Mac & Cheese with Cauliflower. ...
  • Chicken Fajitas. ...
  • White Bean Burgers. ...
  • Peas & Cheese Tortellini. ...
  • Veggie Wraps. ...
  • Chicken Bites, Mashed Yams & Green Beans.
Sep 14, 2018

What is a kiddie meal? ›

The kids' meal or children's meal is a fast food combination meal tailored to and marketed to children. Most kids' meals come in colorful bags or cardboard boxes with depictions of activities/games on the bag or box and a toy inside.

What foods fill up kids? ›

Snacks with fiber or protein help kids feel full longer. Foods with these nutrients take more time to digest. Fiber comes from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Protein comes from beans, cheese, milk, meats, eggs, nuts, and nut butters.

What is healthy eating for a child? ›

Aim for your child to get most of their calories from foods like fruit and vegetables, and starchy foods like bread, potatoes, pasta and rice (preferably wholegrain versions). They should also have some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other protein foods, and some dairy or dairy alternatives.

What is an ideal meal for a child? ›

Children need a balanced diet with food from all 3 food groups—vegetables and fruit, whole grain products, and protein foods. Children need 3 meals a day and 1 to 3 snacks (morning, afternoon and possibly before bed). Healthy snacks are just as important as the food you serve at meals.

What are 5 healthy eating habits for kids? ›

Here are some guidelines to follow:
  • Establish a predictable schedule of meals and snacks. It's OK to choose not to eat when both parents and kids know when to expect the next meal or snack.
  • Don't force kids to clean their plates. ...
  • Don't bribe or reward kids with food. ...
  • Don't use food as a way of showing love.

What is the most important meal for children? ›

Breakfast Brain Power

Eating breakfast: helps kids get more fiber, calcium, and other important nutrients. can help kids do better in school. improves memory and attention, which kids need to learn.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jonah Leffler

Last Updated:

Views: 5898

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jonah Leffler

Birthday: 1997-10-27

Address: 8987 Kieth Ports, Luettgenland, CT 54657-9808

Phone: +2611128251586

Job: Mining Supervisor

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Electronics, Amateur radio, Skiing, Cycling, Jogging, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.