So you've made something new and the kids refuse to eat it. Or for that matter, you've made something you always make and for some unknown reason they are refusing to eat it tonight. We have a rule that you must take as many bites as you are old (our 4 year old must try at least 4 bites). Then, if they still declare that dinner is disgusting, the alternative is a smoothie.
This is our basic "recipe". I'm leaving the measurements loose and open to interpretation. The most important part is that I feel it still allows my kids to get in the nutrition they would have received if they ate what I prepared. The real key here is to hide the taste of the healthy stuff - it's as simple as that. We often serve this with a plain whole grain or some salted brown rice noodles to fill them up.
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Basic "Kids Won't Eat Their Dinner" Smoothie
(serves 1 whiny kid)
INGREDIENTS:
-1/2 cup beans
-3/4 cup dark leafy greens
-1 TBSP nut butter
-1/2 ripe banana or mango (sweet fruit to hide greens)
-1/2 cup other fruit
-1 TBSP chia seeds OR fresh ground flax seeds
-1 1/2 - 2 cups water
DIRECTIONS:
1. Blend in a high-powered blender very well to reduce any chunks of greens and to reduce protesting.
2. Cross your fingers that they won't complain.*
*For real though, it took a little while for our kids to latch onto the smoothie idea. Give it time. If you are giving them juice boxes and other sweet treats throughout the day, this won't taste as good. If they are used to water, this becomes a treat. Feel free to experiment with adding honey or maple syrup if it helps them get down the important stuff.
