Sneaky Nutrition

Writen by Genesis Davies

"I hate carrots!" Is a familiar cry, heard by parents around the world. If not carrots, then a variety of other vegetables. Sometimes, it appears that your child is going to survive on mashed potatoes and ketchup for the rest of his life!

In order to get some nutrients into your children's diet, you have to get sneaky. Hiding nutrition is an art that many mothers are perfecting these days and it's relatively simple, once you get the hang of it.

Mixing similar colors is a good way to sneak in some nutrition. For example, let's say your child eats ketchup or tomato sauce without complaint. In a blender, puree some carrots with a bit of water and mix them into the sauce. Or add pea puree to relish. Tofu blends in with white cheese on lasagne or in melted cheese sandwiches.

You can make a vegetable completely unrecognizable by dicing it finely and mixing it with hamburger meat to put in tacos. Carrots, broccoli and cauliflower are perfect candidates for this process. When you make hamburger patties at home, add textured vegetable protein to stretch the meat and keep the protein content high. You can also mix in finely diced celery, onion, garlic, carrot and broccoli. No one will notice and your hamburger meat will go a lot further.

Pasta is another kid favourite. If yours will eat ravioli, try making your own and add pureed veggies to the meat mixture that you stuff the pasta with. Or make cannoli and fill it with cheese and tofu.

Kids are usually more interested in eating things that they made themselves, so get them involved in the supper. If you don't want your kid hanging over the stove, try making dinner a buffet of choices. Have burritos, but everyone makes their own. Put out small bowls of chopped tomatoes, refried beans, grated cheese, etc. Have contests to see who can make and eat the messiest burrito, or make the funniest face on their tortilla.

Pizza is a great way to squeeze in nutrition. Sure, kids will pick off the toppings they don't like, but there is a way around that. Hide them under the cheese! When you're spreading the tomato sauce on, add finely diced vegetables or whatever you want your kids to eat. Top with cheese and their favourite toppings and watch them eat their veggies!

It is possible to get kids to eat well, even if they don't notice. And don't worry, they do grow out of these phases eventually. Until then, employ a bit of sneaky nutrition.

For a Free ebook "45 Kid-Friendly Recipes", check out At Home Mom

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