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)

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*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.

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

FAQs

What food can a 9 year old cook? ›

Cooking with 8-11 year olds

Use the microwave with your help. Make their own school lunch. Make a fresh fruit platter to go with dinner. Use the stove, with supervision, to make basic recipes: omelets, pancakes, quesadillas, soups or grilled cheese.

What food can a 12 year old make? ›

"By 12 years old, children should be able to bake a cake independently and cook simple meals, such as beans on toast, eggs, or porridge.

What are the top 10 healthiest dinners? ›

10 Simple Dinner Ideas for Healthy Eating in Real Life
  1. Stuffed sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are loaded with beneficial nutrients like beta carotene, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber ( 1 ). ...
  2. Grain bowls. ...
  3. Veggie loaded frittatas. ...
  4. Dinner salad. ...
  5. Loaded brown rice pasta. ...
  6. One-pot soups. ...
  7. Curry. ...
  8. Burgers.
Jun 30, 2021

Is it OK for 10 year old to cook? ›

With an adult supervising, a 10-year old should be able to scramble eggs, stir fry vegetables or flip a pancake on an electric stovetop (you may want to wait longer if you have a gas range). Safety tip: Be sure to teach them to tie back long hair and never wear loose clothing around the stove.

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 do 10 year olds like? ›

A standard 10 year old should be willing to eat anything put in front of them. However, a picky 10 year old would probably prefer a few foods over others. This includes pizza, mac and cheese, hot dogs, ice cream, chicken nuggets, hamburgers and grilled cheese.

What is a good meal replacement for kids? ›

Whole plant foods that can be used to make healthy, energy-rich children's meal supplements include:
  • Nuts and their butters. ...
  • Fortified non-dairy milks. ...
  • Canned coconut milk. ...
  • Non-dairy yogurt. ...
  • Seeds. ...
  • Pitted dates. ...
  • Frozen fruits. ...
  • Leafy greens.
Mar 12, 2021

What should a kid eat for dinner to lose weight? ›

Cut back on processed and fast foods.

They tend to be higher in calories and fat. Instead, fill your child's plate with fruits and vegetables, and trade white bread, rice, and pasta for their whole-grain versions. They have fiber, which can help your child feel full for longer.

What is the most important meal for children? ›

Breakfast provides key nutrients.

Children who eat breakfast are more likely to meet their overall nutritional needs. In fact, studies show that children who eat breakfast eat more fruit, drink more milk, and consume less saturated fat than those who don't eat breakfast.

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