There's no doubt that feeding your kids well can be a challenge.
There's the fussy eating, which is no joke. There's their occasional refusal to sit at the table (are you even really a parent until you've chased a toddler around the living room, begging him or her to try some eggs?). And when you do find a food your kid loves, there's a good chance it's all they will ever want to eat again (can a child live off hot dogs, though?).
But with childhood obesity rates nearly tripling over the last 30 years, and new research that finds children are the biggest consumers of ultra-processed foods, it's important to make sure our kids are eating nutritious, healthy meals ... even if all they want to eat is pizza.
Luckily, there are tons of great and yummy-looking alternatives out there. And we rounded some up for you.
Here are some healthy alternatives to classic kid favourites that look just as tasty as the originals:
1. Spaghetti squash tater tots
Try these if your kids love: Tater tots
Get the recipe:Listotic
2. Cinnamon apple chips
Try these if your kids love: Gummy fruit snacks
Get the recipe:Carrie's Experimental Kitchen
3. Oven fried chicken
Try these if your kids love: Fried chicken
Get the recipe:The Food Network
4. Balsamic grilled carrot dogs (yes, really!)
Try these if your kids love: Hot dogs
Get the recipe:Well Vegan
5. Quinoa pizza bites
Try these if your kids love: Pizza, pizza pockets, pizza bites
Get the recipe: Live Well Bake Often
6. Baked shells with winter squash
Try these if your kids love: Mac and cheese
Get the recipe: Martha Stewart
7. Loaded veggie grilled cheese sandwiches
Try these if your kids love: Grilled cheese
Get the recipe:The Dreaming Foodie
8. Homemade alphabet soup
Try this if your kids love: Canned alphabet soup
Get the recipe:Genius Kitchen
9. Whole wheat blueberry pancakes with maple yogurt sauce
Try these if your kids love: Pancakes
Get the recipe:Pop Sugar
10. Chocolate banana frozen yogurt bark
Try this if your kid loves: Ice cream
Get the recipe:My Fussy Eater
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