Get Sneaky With Smoothies

It’s a rare child who digs into the vegetables on their plate with vigour. Picky eaters in particular are known to turn up their noses at “green stuff.”

Many parents find it challenging to ensure their kids eat the four to six servings of vegetables and fruits that Health Canada recommends for children aged two to 13. In fact, 59 percent of Canadian children and adolescents consume less than five servings, according to the Canadian Community Health Survey.

Try it liquid

Why is this important? Fruits and vegetables contain protective elements called phytonutrients that help fight disease. Diets plentiful in fruits and vegetables prevent certain types of cancer and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Kids and teens who eat five or more servings a day are also far less likely to be overweight or obese—a growing problem that comes with its own health risks.

So if you’ve resorted to hiding vegetables on the plate, here’s another option to try: smoothies. With a blend of protein, fruits, and “hidden” greens, smoothies offer concentrated nutrition in a tasty way.

Get up and go green

Green formulas contain superfoods such as alfalfa grass, barley grass, wheat grass, spirulina, apple fibre powder, and red beet powder. These ingredients supply the body with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fibres, and other co-factors that promote healthy digestion, metabolism, immunity, energy levels, and development.

Greens and proteins are sometimes sold together in ready-to-go, fruit-flavoured mixes that only require water to produce a creamy beverage that children love.

Say goodbye to picky eaters who reject anything green. Smoothies are the secret to sneaking nutrition into your child’s diet.

Try the following smoothie recipes, which are a perfect way to start the day:

Berry Blast

Ingredients:
1 (125 mL) carton organic blueberry yogourt
1 cup (250 mL) almond or vanilla soy milk
1 cup (250 mL) frozen berries of your choice
1/2 cup (125 mL) ice cubes
2 scoops of a powdered green formula

Method:
Add to a blender and blend until smooth. The yogourt in this recipe provides friendly bacteria called probiotics to help with inner balance.

Strawberry and Banana Boost

Ingredients:
1 cup (250 mL) frozen strawberries
1 banana, chopped in pieces
1 cup (250 mL) orange juice
1 cup (250 mL) water
2 scoops of a powdered green formula
Optional: a few drops of stevia (a natural calorie-free sweetener)
Optional: 1-2 scoops of protein powder

Method:
Blend in a blender until smooth. Add more liquid if desired.