Five Good Treats You Can Feed Your Kids

Filed in archive Health , Safe For Kids on July 15, 2010

© Pink Sherbet Photography

Chips, cupcakes and lots of other not-so-good foods are going to be in your child's mouth. Kids wouldn't eat anything that didn't come out of a pizza or pasta box. But you have to serve up meals that are packed with as much good stuff as possible.

Here are a few items you can add to your shopping list at the grocery and to your kids' meals:

Blueberries

They are among the healthiest fruits with lots of antioxidants. They protect against heart disease and diabetes and improve brain function. Blueberries also help reduce belly fat. Add them to a bowl of granola and milk or in summer salads and desserts. Or make ice pops by freezing a blend of whirred-up blueberries, yogurt and some honey

Tofu

They are an excellent source of lean protein and have great anti-cancer benefits. Dice and toss tofu into stir-fries or soups or substitute it for yogurt in fruit smoothies.

Tomatoes

They have lots of lycopene which protects against many cancers. Add them to pizza and pasta sauces or combine tomato sauce to turkey meatballs or meatloaf.

Low-fat Greek yogurt

It has bacteria that boost immunity and help digestion, and has lots of protein and less sugar than regular yogurt. Add some honey for sweetness.

Cabbage

Kids love its mild flavor and crunch better than the usual salad greens. It lowers the risk for many types of cancer, as well as improves digestion. It also gets rid of harmful toxins from the body by triggering the release of enzymes whose job it is to whisk them out. Add cabbage to coleslaw with low-fat mayo; shred and toss it into soups or Asian noodle dishes.