"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others, and if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." ~Dalai Lama

Sunday, March 24, 2013

15 Superfoods Your Kids Will Eat


#1 Flaxseed

Flaxseed is bursting with Omega-3 fatty acids that little guys need to grow their brains to their full potential. Buy it ground and sprinkle it over their cereal or add 1/4 cup to their favorite baked-good recipe. They'll get better nutrition without even knowing it.

#2 Sweet Potatoes

These orange tubers are high in Vitamin A which helps kids develop healthy vision and eyes. And they're delicious roasted, mashed, baked or covered in marshmallows and brown sugar.

#3 Yogurt

Containers that say "active culture" on the side feature living probiotics that keep kids' digestive tracts working under optimal conditions. And it has more calcium per serving than milk. Plain is best, but you can pique their interest with lots of colorful fruit and honey.

#4 Hummus

It's the after school snack superfood. It has the right combination of complex carbohydrates and proteins to keep kids happy, energized and full until its time for dinner. Play around with presentation and you'll have them interested in this tasty dip in no time (don't mention that it's made from beans!)

#5 Eggs

They're not exactly exotic but they are one of the best superfood breakfasts. They contain Vitamin D for better calcium absorption and lots of protein to keep little ones full and focused until snack time.

#6 Fruit

It's no secret that fruit is good for you. AND it's even better for kids. A fruit plate with a variety of colors provides kids with essential vitamins and minerals they need to grow and fiber to keep colons healthy. Introduce your kids to a daily fruit plate at a young age and they will probably continue the habit into adulthood.

#7 Edamame

This super food is great -- especially for little girls. It protects their breast tissue and deters the growth of cancer cells and other abnormalities well into adulthood. And kids love it because the pods are delicious and fun to open and eat.

#8 Tomato

A tomato a day can keep cancer away. They're best cooked and paired with olive oil in pasta sauce or other kid-friendly dishes.

#9 Salmon

It makes much better fish sticks than the frozen box mystery fish. Salmon has the protein kids need to grow and lots of Omega-3 fatty acids to promote the development of healthy brains and strong hearts.

#10 Avocado

Avocados are full of that "good fat" you're always hearing about. Kids need a daily diet with roughly 30% monosaturated fat and a little avocado a day provides more than enough. You won't need to do much coaxing, most kids love guacamole!

#11 Cocoa

A cup of hot cocoa (at least 70 percent pure cocoa) promotes oral health and helps to protect delicate skin from sun damage over time. You can also sprinkle cocoa powder on fruit, snacks and desserts for a healthy punch of flavor.

#12 Black Beans

Adults aren't the only ones who suffer from high cholesterol, they just get checked more often than kids. Black beans help kids keep cholesterol levels down and provide plenty of calcium and protein to boot. Make a tasty black bean dip with some fresh veggies for a fun snack.

#13 Basil

This kids superfood packs a lot of nutritional punch. It has vitamins A, C and K, iron, potassium and calcium. Plus kids can grow their own basil at home right on the countertop. Toss it on pasta sauces, pizza, and other yummy kid favorites.

#14 Cinnamon

This kids superfood is great sprinkled on breakfast foods. This tasty spice regulates blood sugar, which will keep your kids' energy from crashing after breakfast in the middle of a school day.

#15 Oatmeal

This kids superfood has science behind it. Studies revealed that kids who start their day with oatmeal concentrate better in school all day. That's because oatmeal breaks down slowly to give continual bursts of energy over a long period of time.

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