24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (2024)

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By

Murphy Moroney

Updated on 8/13/2019 at 2:57 PM

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (1)

When it comes to throwing together dinner, we're always walking that fine line of cooking something that's both healthy and accepted by our children's not-so-refined palettes. And while whipping up a bowl of macaroni and cheese is easy enough, it's definitely lacking in terms of nutritional value compared to some other options. Trying to expand your family's repertoire beyond chicken nuggets? Same here! Scroll through to get a look at some of our favorite kid-approved recipes — from honey garlic chicken to spaghetti squash — that pack in all the good stuff. We swear, your little ones will gobble them up without a single complaint!

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (2)

Cauliflower Cashew Alfredo Pasta

Although this bowl of cauliflower cashew alfredo pasta looks like your run-of-mill carb overload, it's made with veggies and a creamy, nut-based sauce that gives it a little extra goodness.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (3)

Rainbow Berry Smoothie Bowl

Isn't this rainbow berry smoothie bowl just the most colorful thing?! Add some chia seeds for a special touch.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (4)

Crock-Pot Spaghetti Squash

Pull out your slow cooker and substitute your family's favorite starch for a tasty veggie using this Crock-Pot spaghetti squash recipe.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (6)

Baked Cheeseburger Sliders

Put a healthy spin on this tried-and-true kid favorite with a baked cheeseburger slider recipe your kids will love, sans too much oil.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (7)

Broccoli Cheese Wild Rice Casserole

Sneak your children's least favorite vegetable into dinner seamlessly thanks to this broccoli cheese wild rice casserole with just the right amount of crunch.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (8)

Peanut Waffles

A plate of delicious peanut waffles packs a much-needed extra punch in the protein department without sacrificing any flavor.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (9)

Chicken Noodle Casserole With Spaghetti Squash

This decadent chicken noodle casserole with spaghetti squash is both gluten- and dairy-free, but don't worry: there's still plenty of creaminess to go around!

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (10)

Crock-Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Dive into a warm bowl of Asian-inspired Crock-Pot honey garlic chicken that makes for the perfect weeknight meal.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (11)

Healthy Zucchini Bread

We love this hearty, nutrient-packed healthy zucchini bread that your kids won't be able to resist.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (12)

Banana Oatmeal Pancakes

A healthy spin on your children's favorite meal of the day is easy to achieve! Just throw together the ingredients for these banana oatmeal pancakes, and dig in!

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (13)

Baked Chicken Meatballs

Swap beef for poultry using this mouthwatering baked chicken meatballs recipe. We bet your kids won't even know the difference!

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (14)

Taco Beef and Kale Bowls

A hearty taco beef and kale bowl means that even Taco Tuesday gets the healthy treatment.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (15)

Sweet Potato Black Bean Quesadillas

These sweet potato black bean quesadillas are easy on stomachs, budgets, and schedules — win, win, win!

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (16)

Baked Honey Mustard Chicken

Baking chicken instead of frying is already a healthy move — this honey mustard chicken is a great way to start making baking a habit in the most delicious of ways.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (17)

General Tso's Chickpeas

General Tso's chicken just got a healthy reboot with this chickpea twist that eliminates the usual main ingredient: fried chicken.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (18)

Veggie Scrambled Eggs

Making scrambled eggs for dinner isn't just one of the easiest solutions in terms of cook and prep time; it's also one of the best ways to chuck some extra veggies into a dish you know they already love! This veggie scrambled egg plate combines veggies and a bit of cheese for a healthy and protein-packed meal.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (19)

Turkey, Potato, and Zucchini Meatloaf

This turkey meatloaf is a healthy twist on the comfort-food classic that the whole family will enjoy.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (20)

Cauliflower Fried Rice

Not only can this fried rice be whipped up in 15 minutes, but it's also a lot lighter than traditional rice, as the recipe calls for cauliflower instead!

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (21)

Cauliflower Burgers

These colorful cauliflower burgers are all veggie without sacrificing taste.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (22)

Vegetable Lasagna Rolls

These lasagna rolls have all of the cheesy and saucy goodness of your go-to lasagna recipe, but instead of ground meat, they are stuffed with eggplant!

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (23)

Turkey Tacos

These turkey tacos are sure to spice up your family's Taco Tuesday (or Wednesday or Thursday or Friday!) and only take about 15 minutes to whip up.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (24)

Zucchini Noodle Veggie Lo Mein

Ditch take-out lo mein and spiralize some of your family's favorite veggies to make your own version of lo mein with so much less salt but all of the flavor.

24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (25)

Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash Skillet

This healthy and hearty skillet meal can be made and enjoyed in just over 30 minutes!

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24 Healthy Recipes We Completely Swear Your Children Will Actually Eat (2024)

FAQs

What are the healthiest foods for kids? ›

10 Healthy Foods Your Kids Will Actually Eat
  • Berries. ...
  • Spinach. ...
  • Popcorn. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Watermelon. ...
  • Sweet Potato. Sweet potatoes, often considered a super food, are another great source of beta carotene. ...
  • Oatmeal. A great source of fiber, oatmeal can be eaten as a cereal option or added to muffins and smoothies.
Jul 7, 2020

What is a healthy dinner for a 4 year old? ›

Healthy dinner meals
  • Taco bar. ...
  • Veggie fried rice. ...
  • Sausage, apple, and zucchini skewers. ...
  • Healthier chicken fingers. ...
  • Peanut butter noodles. ...
  • Baked potato bar. ...
  • Kid-friendly poke bowls. ...
  • Turkey skillet hash.
Jun 30, 2020

What is a healthy food for boys? ›

Choose beans and peas, nuts, seeds, and other plant-based healthy protein options, as well as fish, eggs, and poultry. Limit red meat (beef, pork, lamb) and avoid processed meats (bacon, deli meats, hot dogs, sausages).

What is the healthiest fruit for kids? ›

Berries Berries are a group of fruits that include strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and blackberries. The darker the berry's color pigment, the more nutritious it is. Berries contain high levels of antioxidants, especially vitamin C, which may help prevent cancer risk. Berries are also brain foods.

What is unhealthy food for kids? ›

People use the term junk food to describe a food that has few of the nutrients your body needs, and a lot of fat, sugar, and salt, which your body can easily get too much of. Potato chips, candy, and soft drinks are often considered junk food.

What foods affect kids mood? ›

Children who eat sugary cereals, white bread, lollies, juices, and other sweet or refined foods throughout the day are more likely to experience mood swings and low energy. This is a result of regular blood sugar spikes and crashes.

What food do autistic kids love? ›

Autism and Picky Eating: a Sensory Consideration

According to the study cited above, autistic children most commonly like chicken nuggets and grain products, such as pasta and bread.

What food makes kids happy? ›

Dark leafy greens are high in Vitamin B-12, B9 (also known asfolate) and other B-vitamins. B-vitamins get an “A+” when it comes to producing natural brain chemicals that positively affect mood and other brain functions. Common leafy greens that you can grow in your garden include kale and spinach.

What should a kid eat for dinner to lose weight? ›

Cut back on processed and fast foods.

Instead, fill your child's plate with fruits and vegetables, and trade white bread, rice, and pasta for their whole-grain versions. They have fiber, which can help your child feel full for longer. If your kid isn't a fan of these changes at first, don't give up.

What is the brat diet for 4 year old? ›

The BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) was once a staple that most pediatricians recommended for children with an upset stomach. The idea was that it gave the gut a chance to rest and reduced the amount of stool produced.

What is poor mans healthy food? ›

Nutritious and Inexpensive Staples
  • Beans, peas, lentils (dried, frozen, canned)
  • Canned fish (tuna, salmon, sardines)
  • Ground turkey 90% lean.
  • Chicken thighs with skin (these are cheaper than skinless chicken thighs but the skin can be removed before cooking)
  • Peanut butter.
  • Lowfat cottage cheese.
  • Tofu.
  • Eggs.

What man must eat everyday? ›

Eating plenty of vegetables, along with fruit, wholegrains, lean meats, nuts and dairy foods (or dairy alternatives) will help improve your diet, as will cutting down on foods high in saturated fat, added salt, added sugar, and alcohol. Staying active is always important for good health.

What are the 10 most healthy foods? ›

Here are the top 15 foods you should be eating according to our experts:
  • Fish. ...
  • Broccoli or any of the cruciferous vegetables. ...
  • Beets. ...
  • Spinach and other leafy green vegetables. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Peanut butter. ...
  • Almonds. ...
  • Mangos.
Apr 5, 2019

What foods should kids eat everyday? ›

Healthy eating in childhood reduces your child's chance of developing health problems as they get older. A healthy, balanced diet includes foods from all 5 food groups: fruit, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy. Foods high in sugar, saturated fat and salt aren't necessary for a healthy diet and should be limited.

What are 5 healthy eating habits for kids? ›

Healthy Eating
  • Have regular family meals.
  • Serve a variety of healthy foods and snacks.
  • Be a role model by eating healthy yourself.
  • Avoid battles over food.
  • Involve kids in the process.

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