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Get Your Kids to Eat Vegetables with this Simple Smoothie Recipe
Smoothies are the ultimate hack for getting my children to eat healthy! I have tried every trick, hack and tactic I can think of to get my kids to eat the daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. When they were first born, I introduced different fruits and veggies to them as babies. I have pureed them and hid them in more tasty dishes. I have slapped butter, salt, and maple syrup on top. You name it, and I tried it to get my children to enjoy fruits and veggies.
For the most part, those strategies worked. My kids eat a decent amount of fruits and vegetables, but they are not usually their first choice for a snack. When they want a treat, they will more often go to the processed snack than into the veggie drawer. One exception to this is the smoothie. This creamy, sweet, yet healthy drink is my children’s favorite. They love smoothies because they are sweet and flavorful. I love them because I can easily pack in multiple healthy foods into my kids’ diet in one simple recipe.
We also love to get smoothies on the road; however, fast-food chain restaurants pack a ton of sugar into their smoothies. This smoothie recipe is quick and easy to make, and you can take it with you by putting it into any travel cup. They even make portable blenders now so you can prep your smoothies ahead of time and blend them when you are ready to drink.
Make this smoothie recipe; soon, your kids will ask for it daily. I credit this smoothie recipe with teaching my kids that fruits and vegetables can be delicious and fun. And it gives me peace of mind to know they are eating raw, healthy vegetables. Get your kids to eat vegetables with this simple smoothie recipe, too.
The best smoothie maker
Using the right tool will make whipping up a delicious smoothie a breeze! I invested in a Ninja Auto IQ Personal Blender, which made all the difference. I create a healthy treat for myself and my kids in less than a minute. It’s compact and takes up very little space on my countertop. I hardly even know it’s there! Clean-up is simple because you drink from the same cup you blend in. The blade attachment is easy to clean and very compact. The large cup is big enough to make enough smoothies for my three children to share, so I can do it all in one batch. I have had my Ninja for over seven years, and it still works like a charm!
This is just the beginning.
The recipe below is my most basic smoothie. Add a banana if you like your smoothies creamier, or use extra liquid if you need it to be thinner (for younger drinkers). You can make several variations by changing the fruit and/or omitting the peanut butter. I will list some add-in options below, too. Use this basic recipe as a base and expand or edit as you like. Get creative and make it fun!
This smoothie recipe will trick your kids into eating veggies.
This combination of naturally sweet fruits, healthy vegetables, and a small amount of organic maple syrup creates a delicious smoothie your kids will be begging for. The protein in the peanut butter and the yogurt will fuel them, while the fiber from the fruits and veggies will fill them up and keep them satisfied (and have regular BMs). The best part is that they just think they’re eating something yummy and don’t even know how healthy it is for them.
It’s so simple that my pre-teen daughter now makes them for herself. (We’re still working on her cleaning up herself, though!) I even found several pre-made mixes in the frozen food aisle of my grocery store. You can buy the frozen fruits as a base and mix in any add-ins listed below. These smoothies are a great breakfast or afternoon snack added to your meal plan. Get your kids to eat vegetables with this simple smoothie recipe.
And if you want to learn more about healthy eating, read our post on “Easy Weight-loss Meal Plan Tips.”
Ready to take your smoothie up a notch? Here are some healthy add-ins you can add to this recipe:
- Flax seeds
- Chia seeds
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Banana
- Peanut Butter
- Powered Peanut Butter
- Almond Butter
- Protein Powder (whey or pea)
- Spinach or other leafy greens like Kale
- Greek Yogurt
- Kefir
There are endless combinations for you and your kids to create. Get creative with the names of the smoothies to make it more fun. If your child has a favorite, name it after them to make it more special. In my house, we have:
- Mom’s World’s Best Smoothie
- Mel’s Peanut Butter Surprise
- Chris’s Banana-rama Smoothie
- The Green Monster
Let your kids make their own recipes and have fun experimenting. The more variation you have, your kids will likely stay interested in them. Spark their interest and imagination to get them more invested in their diet. You can even write the names on a chalkboard to display in your kitchen like they do in coffee shops. Make one today, and you will get your kids to eat vegetables with this simple smoothie recipe.
Please share your smoothie recipes or fun smoothie names in the comments below. You never know who you may inspire!
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