Healthy Eating Tips for Healthy Kids this Holiday

Holiday celebrations are something families, especially children, look forward to year round.  Whether the party is hosted at your house, or your attending a school gathering, at some point you’ll find yourself in the throes of a holiday party and you’ll want to have a plan to keep yourself and the kids healthy!  Here are some tips. 

Entertaining at home: 

• For main meals – embrace the pastabilities!  Take the opportunity to let winter vegetables like butternut squash and broccoli shine in pasta form.    Kids can even have fun using the spiralizer to make linguine style strips or adults can cut thin layers of sweet potato or squash for wider lasagna like layers.  
• Whats old in gift-giving is new again. St. Nicholas was known for leaving small gifts of gold and, because fresh citrus wasn’t always readily available, and oranges (similar in shape and color) in stockings. Revive the tradition of fresh fruit and vegetables as gift worthy.
• Dessert – Always the best part of the meal.  Kids will always have room for dessert, so be sure to feature a treat that includes produce.
  • Frozen Banana Split Cups
  • Queen Elsa Icicles
  • Kristoff Ice Box Cupcakes

Attending an event: 

• Don’t let kids show up hungry.  Just as with adults, it’ll help curb hunger and help prevent impulse eating. 
• When it comes to dishing up meals, give kids a hand by making their plates.  Doing so may help ensure healthier choices, balance and may even mitigate the extra snacking.
• Bring a festive, kid friendly and healthy dish to ensure there is at least one option to balance out the richness that comes with holiday meals. 
  • Gluten-Free Veggie Pasta Bake
  • Arendelle Holiday Feast Stuffing
  • Enchanted Forest Sweet Potato Cardamom Pie