Loads of sugar, unhealthy fat, and nutritionally-void foods mark many of our Thanksgiving favorites. Kids generally skip the green beans, veggie platter, and pumpkin soup and go straight for the mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and of course, dessert. By swapping a few dishes for more kid-friendly, healthy alternatives, little ones sitting at the kids’ table can still enjoy the savory fall flavors of Thanksgiving while you sneak in a few healthy servings of fruits and veggies.
Try these 6 healthy and kid-friendly foods this Thanksgiving:
Mashed Cauliflower
https://wellnessmama.com/1877/mashed-cauliflower/
Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple and you’re probably skeptical about messing with your tried and true recipe. But for a healthier alternative, ditch the potatoes for “fauxtatoes” or mashed cauliflower. Potatoes aren’t bad for your kids, it’s just that cauliflower is so much better. Cauliflower is incredibly beneficial for your kids’ overall health. When mashed, cauliflower has a naturally creamy texture and buttery taste and with all the garlic in this recipe, your kids will hardly notice it’s not made with real potatoes!
Sweet Potato Pie Bites
https://www.nutritionistreviews.com/2015/12/sweet-potato-pie-bites.html
These mini sweet potato pies are sure to be a hit with the little ones this Thanksgiving because they’re just so cute! Bite-sized is always best with kids and you’ll be able to enjoy your own meal knowing your little ones are getting lots of nutrients from the sweet potatoes and pecans.
Hummus Dip and Turkey Peppers
https://www.superhealthykids.com/recipes/hummus-dip/
Kids love food art. This Thanksgiving, give them a (veggie) treat and make turkeys out of bell peppers. Picky eaters will love this fun holiday-themed snack!
Crinkly Carrot Fries
Crinkle cut carrots might not exactly pass as “fries” but your kids will find the tasty regardless. Simple for parents to make, just slice carrots with a crinkle cutter, toss with olive oil and salt, and bake. They make perfect finger food for toddlers, too!
Cranberry Corn Muffins
https://www.theleangreenbean.com/cranberry-corn-muffins/
Cranberries qualify as a superfood, they’re super-rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber, and the metabolism-boosting mineral manganese. Your kids will think they’re eating dessert, but deep down you’ll know they’re getting an immune boost from those tart little cranberries.
Butternut Mac and Cheese
https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/butternut-mac-and-cheese/
Sneaking vegetables into our kids’ foods is one of the arts of parenting. Mac and cheese is a Thanksgiving staple at the kids’ table and this version won’t disappoint. It’s still creamy and cheesy, but with the added benefit of super nutritious butternut squash.