When kids pass the toddler age and start noticing more of what you're doing as parents it's more important than ever for you to set a good example for good eating habits.
And, chances are, if you don't like something your kid won't either, so try to pay attention to the food pyramid or myplate and choose well rounded, nutrient dense foods like broccoli, sweet potatoes, oranges, whole grain pasta, lean meats and fish, including things like canned salmon, and things like canned beans, natural peanut butter, eggs, tofu or dairy products like yogurt.
Preschool age kids tend to be a bit finnicky about what they will and won't eat but they do like to help out with things like stirring, pouring or mixing -- just make sure they don't get near any hot surfaces or near anything sharp.
Combining foods like these with regular daily excercise will certainly help keep your kids fit and you can help them to feel like they're part of the family by letting them help to make things like apple sauce and cinnamon pancakes.
Cinnamon Apple Sauce Pancakes
Serves:
4-8
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp kosher salt (or 1/4 tsp table salt)
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbs vegetable oil
1 large egg
3/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
vegetable oil as needed for frying pancakes
PROCEDURE:
Use a large mixing bowl and let your child add 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 2 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon and let them stir that together before adding 1/2 cup milk, 2 Tbs vegetable oil, 1 large cracked egg and then let them add 3/4 cup of unsweetened apple sauce and whisk tht up until it's just combined.
Obviously, you'll be the one doing the cooking but both you and your child will be extra proud of these pancakes!
Serve them up with a dollop of yogurt for a little extra protein.
HINTS:
Serve with real maple syrup if possible.
Fold a little diced apple or even diced ripe banana into the pancake batter before cooking pancakes.