You don’t have to choose between healthy and delicious.
With November in full swing, parents and children alike inevitably have the holidays on their minds. And with the holidays comes plenty of time for family gatherings, gifts, and delectable food. But for parents of young ones who want to help in the kitchen, finding kid-friendly recipes that are also tooth-friendly can seem impossible. But we’ve got you covered! If you want some fun, healthy ideas for holiday recipes that you can prepare with your kids, check out our list below.
5 Healthy, Kid-Friendly Recipes You Can Make With Your Kids
Spending quality time with your kids in the kitchen creates fun, happy memories. But cookies and other sweets aren’t always the best for our kids’ teeth. Thankfully, finding recipes for healthy, kid-approved food doesn’t have to be that difficult. These recipes are not only low in sugar but also great for kids to help with, especially with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner. So give these recipes a try and help your kids make good food decisions that will help them prevent cavities and tooth decay.
1. Strawberry SunButter Bites
Little kids love helping in the kitchen, and most of them especially love tortillas and strawberries. This recipe combines tortillas, strawberries, and nut-free SunButter. Even better, these fun little snacks don’t need to be refrigerated, making them a perfect appetizer to serve at your next gathering.
2. Nacho Scoopers
What kid doesn’t love nachos? This fun take on nachos skips processed cheese and focuses on ingredients that taste great and are actually good for you. Depending on how adventurous your child is, you can add jalapeños, refried beans, guacamole, cherry tomatoes, and low fat sour cream. Olé!
3. Grilled Pizza Roll Ups
Kids love pizza as much if not more than nachos. And the concept of a rolled-up pizza is both fun and intriguing to kids that love to help out mom and dad in the kitchen. So head to the grocery store for some mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and marinara sauce. Your kids (and your taste buds) will thank you!
4. Sloppy Joe Sliders
Many parents avoid sloppy joes for little kids to avoid a mess. But this recipe solves that issue by making it easy for little hands both to make and enjoy the meal. This recipe is not only perfect for those little hands but is also great for helping kids develop their math skills. With plenty of spices to measure, your kids will love being assigned such an important task.
5. Oatmeal Cookie Smoothies
Great any time of the year, these smoothies are filling and good for you. Combine your favorite brand of rolled oats with some raisins (or kick it up with dried cherries or blueberries), pumpkin pie spice, vanilla yogurt, whole milk, and dark brown sugar. Let your child help you with the blender by allowing them to push the button and watch the ingredients blend together. Then pour into glasses and enjoy. Don’t forget to wipe away the milk mustache when they’re done!
Combining Kid-Friendly Holiday Recipes with Good Oral Hygiene
As we said earlier, cooking with kids in the kitchen creates beautiful memories. But don’t end the experience in the kitchen. Take time to reiterate the importance of a good oral hygiene routine. In particular, make sure that your child knows to do the following every day.
- Brush their teeth twice for two minutes at a time using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Floss between all teeth at least once. Most kids can’t floss on their own until the age of 10 or so. Thus, parents may need to help them floss until they develop the dexterity to do it on their own.
- Rinse with a fluoridated mouthwash.
When talking to your child about their oral care, present it in a positive light. Explain what cavities are, what causes them, and why it is important that they take care of their teeth. Talk to your child about the importance of going to the dentist too. Making oral hygiene a positive conversation tied to good food choices and preventive care will get them excited about taking care of their teeth..
Share your favorite kid-friendly holiday recipes with the Tory Hill Dental team.
At your child’s next dental visit, be sure to share your favorite holiday recipes with us. We’d love to learn what kind of tooth-friendly recipes your family is fixing this holiday season! And if you or your child are overdue for your preventive dental cleaning, there is no time like the present to request an appointment with your favorite family dentist in Buxton, Maine. We can’t wait to see you!