Kristine's Kitchen

Healthy Bites for Kids

Healthy Bites for Kids features easy, nutritious recipes for breakfasts, lunches and snacks.  While I’ve designed these recipes to be enjoyed by kids, adults will love them too!

Healthy Bites for Kids: easy recipes for breakfasts, lunches & snacks! | Kristine's Kitchen

As a mom, I know too well the daily struggle of coming up with fresh, fun, and healthy recipes that my kids will love.  My goal with the Healthy Bites for Kids series is to inspire you to cook healthy meals and snacks for your children, while at the same time giving you the tools and ideas to do so.

What is Healthy Bites for Kids?

In the Healthy Bites for Kids series I share ideas for kids’ breakfasts, lunches and snacks. These recipes are easy to make, healthy options that you can pack in your child’s lunchbox or serve at home when they once again say, “I’m hungry.”  All of the recipes are tested by my two semi-picky little taste-testers, ages 2 and 5, as well as my husband and I.

 

Why a Healthy Bites for Kids series?

I want to help you with the never-ending struggle of what to feed your children. As a mom, I know the challenge of creating healthy lunches and snacks to feed your kids on a daily basis.  I can’t tell you how many evenings I’ve stared at my daughter’s lunchbox, trying to think of something nutritious to fill it with! Besides that, my kids seem to be hungry all day long and it’s all too easy to run out of ideas for healthy snacks.

These Healthy Carrot Cake Oat Muffins are a yummy snack for little ones! These muffins are whole grain and refined sugar free. They pack well in school lunchboxes!

When it comes to breakfast, I’ve found that when I feed my kids a nutritious and filling meal to start the day, the rest of the morning goes so much more smoothly.  I get cranky when I’m hungry, so I can’t blame them for doing the same!

 

I know a lot of you likely have the same struggles.  I’m here to help!  I want to share easy recipes that your kids will love, and I want those recipes to be made with real, non-processed foods as often as possible.

 

I do have a little disclaimer here. While I try to avoid buying packaged foods and snacks, I am a busy, working mom and cannot make everything from scratch. So you will find a few store-bought items, like whole grain tortillas, for example, in my recipes. I think it’s ok to do what we can with the time and energy we have available, while always keeping the goal of healthy eating in mind.

 Peach, Mango, and Kale Smoothie | Kristine's Kitchen

Where can you find the Healthy Bites for Kids recipes?

I’ve gone through the list of all 400+ posts on Kristine’s Kitchen and categorized the ones that are healthy choices for kids’ breakfasts, lunches, and snacks into my Healthy Bites for Kids category.  Each Friday, I share a new recipe in the Healthy Bites for Kids series.

Be sure to subscribe to my FREE email list to make sure you don’t miss out on any of these amazing recipes!

 

homemade granola bars cut into squares

So, what should I pack in my child’s lunchbox?

Over the course of the week, strive to feed your children a variety of foods.  When you pack your kids’ lunchboxes each day, or prepare for their lunch at home, try to include:

A protein:  This could be hummus, nut butter (so long as your child’s school isn’t nut-free), cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, beans, meat, or fish.

A whole grain carbohydrate:  Some examples are whole grain crackers, whole-wheat bread, and whole grain tortillas.

A fresh fruit:  Go with your child’s favorites, and try to vary the choices throughout the week.  Apples, bananas, grapes (halved if your child is young), kiwi, and fresh berries are all good options.

A fresh vegetable:  Colorful bell pepper strips, cucumber rounds, or carrot sticks are easy to prep and pack.  Leftover roasted veggies, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, or broccoli, are other good options.

A healthy treat (sometimes):  My kids’ favorites are Homemade Graham Crackers and No-Bake Energy Bites.  I’ll pack a treat in my kids’ lunchboxes once or twice a week, but not every day.

Homemade graham crackers on a blue napkin.

 

Healthy Bites for Kids: A series of easy, healthy recipes for kids | Kristine's Kitchen

Disclosure:  I am not a nutritionist, just a mom who has learned a lot about nutrition and healthy eating through reading and years of experience in the kitchen.  Always consult your doctor about specific questions regarding your child’s health, eating habits, and growth.