Looking for easy, healthy breakfasts for kids they’ll actually eat? Look no further!
But first, there are two kinds of parents:
- Soon-to-be parents who say they’re only going to let their kids eat organic, whole, unprocessed foods.
- And real parents who are just happy to see their kids eat anything, including Pringles, fruit gummies, waffles, and Lucky Charms. (They’re fortified with 18 vitamins and minerals! I mean, come on!)
There are exceptions, of course. But, those families live on distant planets descending to Earth only once in a great while to grace us the gift of their presence … and to keep Whole Foods in business. For the rest of us, I offer these suggestions for easy, healthy breakfasts for kids to start their day on the right foot.
5 Easy, Healthy Breakfasts for Kids
1. Easy Breakfast: The Almighty Smoothie
Possibly your ultimate secret weapon to getting your kids to eat a healthy breakfast. Smoothies let you sneak in vitamin-packed veggies like kale, spinach and chard along with sweet-tasting fruits like pineapple, grapes and watermelon without them ever knowing. Just don’t let ‘em see you make it!
2. Healthy Breakfast: Fruit (And Veggie) Muffins
Another diabolical, I mean, smart way to get your kids to eat veggies in the morning is with the muffin—a master of disguise if there ever was one. Muffins can cover up pureed zucchini, carrots, spinach, sweet peas, green beans and more in a tasty cup-cake-sized breakfast snack. Add cranberries, bananas, apricots or apples, and no kid can resist them. Make them paleo by using almond flour.
3. Fast Breakfast: Oatmeal With Agave Nectar
A serving of oatmeal delivers 4 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein, a nice helping of iron and only 2.5 grams of fat. Awesome, right? Too bad your kids won’t eat it…that is, unless you doctor it up a bit. My 4-year-old can’t get enough of this stuff when I add sliced grapes or dried cranberries and drizzle agave nectar on top.
4. Tasty Breakfast: Yogurt & Granola Cup
OK, so you gotta watch for sugar content in this one. But, if you use plain yogurt or a low-sugar yogurt layered with low-fat granola and fresh fruit, you’ve got a healthy and not-too-sugary breakfast treat. Plus, they’ll get over 10 grams of protein and 50 percent or more of their daily calcium.
5. Fun Breakfast: Almond Butter & Fruit Toast
Incredibly easy and surprisingly nutritious, this is the ultimate recipe for happy kids rushing out the door. Use whole grain bread (or even sprouted grain bread for extra points), and then spread some low-sugar or no-sugar almond butter on it. You can also slice bananas, pears, or apples to add on top for an awesome kick-start to their day. Sub honey for almond butter if your kids aren’t into the whole nut butter thing.
There you have it, five quick, easy, healthy breakfasts for active kids. What are your favorite breakfast recipes for your kids? P.S. Boo Berry Crunch doesn’t count.
Looking for more stories about kid’s health? Check out this one next: Is Running Good For Kids? >
