If you’re a parent, you know how difficult it can be to get your kids to a point where they actually want something different than typical “fast food” fare for dinner.

Whether you are eating out or eating at home, here are a few ideas for how to move beyond this unhealthy rotation and some clean eating kid recipes.

Tips for Eating Out:

The occasional dinner outing is inevitable in every family. But that doesn’t mean you need to feel as if you’re being held hostage by the kids menu. These are notoriously light on nutrients and packed with just the “easy” foods you are trying to move your child away from! Instead, order something from the regular menu that you think your child will eat, and ask the server to bring an extra plate so you can break out a smaller portion (take the rest home).

Or, simply ask your server if he’ll ask the chef to make something off of the menu for your child. You’d be surprised by how accommodating restaurants can be when it comes to this, so head out with some simple, healthy ideas in mind so you can make the request.

Slam-Dunk Recipes for Meals at Home Here are a few kid-approved, clean eating kid recipes to get your little ones into the Clean-Plater Club!

Nutty Strawberry Chicken Drumsticks 

Serves 4

Sweet and a little nutty, these appeal to a kids’ palette—and inclination to eat with their hands!—while getting them some healthy protein for dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds chicken drumsticks (ideally from a free-range chicken)
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• ¼ cup almond butter
• 1 8-ounce jar strawberry preserves, no sugar added.
• 2 tablespoons peeled and minced ginger root.  You can substitute ginger spice.
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed or 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
• 1/2 cup canned low-salt chicken broth

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 350ºF. Rinse the chicken and remove the skin, if desired.
2. In a nonstick skillet, heat the coconut oil over medium-high. Brown the chicken on all sides. Remove from the pan and drain on a paper towel.
3. Place the chicken in a 9- by 13- by 2-inch baking dish. In a small bowl, mix the almond butter, preserves, ginger, garlic, and chicken broth, then pour over the chicken.
4. Bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until the juices run clear and there are no traces of pink in the center.

 (Adapted from FamilyFun Magazine)

Simple Sweet Potato Wedges 

Serves 4-6
There’s no denying, most kids love French fries. Well, this healthy take on a fry features baked antioxidant-rich sweet potatoes, which pack a much more nutritious punch!

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds medium sweet potatoes
• 3 tablespoons sunflower oil
• 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Cut potatoes lengthwise into 1-inch wedges.
3. Toss wedges with oil and spices in a large roasting pan and roast in middle of oven 20 minutes. Turn wedges over with a spatula and roast until tender and slightly golden, 15 to 20 minutes more.
4. Serve with fun dipping sauces, such as honey mustard, a simple lime-avocado blend, or homemade ketchup!

Citrus-Sesame Edamame 

Serves 4
Get some green on your little one’s plate (and some nutrients in his system) with this fun, fork-optional food!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh or frozen shelled edamame
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
• ½ teaspoon sesame seeds

Directions:

1. Cook edamame according to the package directions; drain.
2. Toss with olive oil, shredded orange peel, and sesame seeds.
3. Simple and satisfying!

(Adapted from Parents Magazine)

Try one or all of these clean eating kid recipes this week and you will have a clean eating kid in no time!    (Be sure to share with your friends.

Board Certified Health Coach and Food Toxin Specialist

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