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When you think of kid's recipes, some of the first thoughts might be quick, flavorful and nutritious.

Often convincing kids to eat vegetables is a major ordeal. Creating opportunities for kids to be involved in the preparation and cooking of their recipes is part of the fun. Allowing your children to help will give them a sense of control of what they are eating. (Hence making them a bit more likely to eat it)

Take your children shopping with you and allow them to pick out the fruits and vegetables that they like or would like to try. This is always the best way to convince children, even preschoolers, to try new produce. Children can learn to eat healthy when they participate in cooking and the shopping for the family. If you begin teaching them young about healthy foods, they will hopefully remember those habits as they grow.

Children love color. Even with food, kids will look, smell and then taste. So a variety of color in meal planning is great. Eating a variety of colorful fresh foods, also greatly improves the chances of getting all the nutrients that your kids require for optimum health.

A fun way to get kids to eat vegetables is to use the vegetables as part of a project Kids get to count, make shapes and then eat what they create. You get the satisfaction of knowing that you are adding nutritious foods into their diet.


Kids Recipes for Create My Own Soup

Have the children count the vegetable pieces. Let them spell their names with the noodles if you have alphabet noodles. You may find other novelty noodles like car shapes, etc. Make a theme of the soup project.

Ingredients:

*1-2 carrots

*1 zucchini

*4 cups low sodium chicken broth

*1/4 cup shaped pasta

*Dash of sage

*3/4 cup chopped, cooked chicken

*Salt and pepper to taste


Putting it All Together:

*Let the children help you wash the vegetables. After they finish you can scrub the carrots and zucchini lightly with a vegetable brush.

*Cut the vegetables into 1/4-inch slices.

*In a medium sized pot, bring the broth to a simmer over medium heat.

*Add the carrots and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the carrots start to become tender.

*Add the pasta zucchini and chicken. Continue cooking the soup for another few minutes, stirring occasionally, just until the pasta is done. Makes 4 servings.

*Let the kids find their names or count the number of carrots in their soup bowl.

The kids will enjoy the adventure and fun, and you will feel good knowing they are eating their vegetables.