Our last group we'll be considering is fruit.
Click
here to
visit Health Canada or
here to visit the
USDA's site to see the recommended number of servings for your
family members - they almost always group it in with vegetables and say
5 - 10 servings each day.
Fruit is pretty fun and most kids like at least
one fruit. It's sweeter than veggies so it's usually more
popular and it's bright color usually makes a positive impression too.
Some kids prefer it whole - an uncut apple - and
some prefer it "prepared" for them - an apple that's been seeded and
cut into wedges. Find out what your child likes best and go for
it :)
Don't forget that, like vegetables, your
family may be more inclined to eat it if it's served with dip.
Sweetened yogurt is the simplest - just open a tub and spoon some into a
bowl - voila! Experiment with vanilla (our favorite), strawberry,
banana cream etc. until you find one your family likes.
Another favorite is wedges or pieces of fruit on
small plates with a dollop of whipped cream in the middle. Sweet
apples that have been cut into wedges and fanned around a circle of
whipped cream is what my sister-in-law calls and "apple flower" and
kids love them :)
If, despite your best efforts,
your family is still not too excited about fruit, you can always hide it
in foods or sneak it in:
-
fruit smoothies prepared in the blender
-
muffins or cake with grated apple or blueberries
baked inside and topped with tempting icing
-
low sugar fruit pies or tarts
-
trifles layered with cake, pudding, berries
(repeat)
All of these items take the focus off the fruit
inside, and instead become a dessert and treat. Only you will
know that the real reason was to get a serving or two of fruit into
your love ones :)
Crystal
