It might be a mouthful to say but these smoothie popsicles are a great way to get a bunch of the nutrients your child may be missing in a fun a treat-like food!
I fed this to my daughter on our hot afternoon walk – and while it was messy- I was a happy Momma! I didn’t even care that her dinner was hit or miss because at least she ate some veggies – and enjoyed it!
I will admit, this is like the 4th or 5th attempt in giving these to her because she has resisted them in other attempts. At first she wanted them, but became quickly uninterested.
Then she wanted to try them, but said she didn’t like them… I was questioning this one knowing what other foods and flavors she does like.
Then she’d eat them again, only a few bites. Until finally she finished a whole one!
I know how frustrating and tiring it can be to continuously offer kids healthy items even when you are pretty certain they’ll turn them down or say they do not like them.
Persistence is key my friends!
I often times feel successful at dinner- not even if she doesn’t eat her veggies- but as long as she was offered them and we all ate dinner together.
It can be hard enough to get our dinner together, while still considering likes as well without making 2 completely separate meals (because in all honesty, we shouldn’t be doing that)! But there are those nights when I can just eat cereal for dinner- and often do- and she does too! So while I’m glad she ate, I’m not thrilled with the fact it wasn’t a well-rounded meal.
But I try to remind myself- and hopefully this brings you comfort- that you don’t have to be perfect. Kids are great at knowing what and how much they want. While we need to continue to offer and expose them to new and nutrient-rich foods, we also have to balance so many things in our day, so keeping it as easy and stress free as possible is so important, even nutritiously.
So Mommas, for those nights everyone eats pizza for dinner sans veggie or salad or the night you just throw fries and chicken nuggets into the oven, give yourself a break! Rest, refresh, and regroup for later. It’s just one day. There’s always tomorrow. The trick is to not let it become a habit!
Strawberry Spinach Smoothie Pops
Ingredients:
6 ounces plain Greek yogurt
splash of vanilla extract
1 cup unsweetened fruit
1/4 to 1/2 cup Fairlife skim milk
1/2 cup coconut water
1 tablespoon nut butter
2 tablespoons flax seed
1 cup fresh spinach
ice
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth & combined. Pour into popsicle molds or paper cups. Freeze for about 10-15 minutes (insert popsicle sticks at this point if haven’t already done so). Continue freezing until firm and cold.
Enjoy as a snack or light meal!
Our milk go-to these days is Fairlife milk. I love that it has half the amount of sugar and carbs, but even more protein that traditional milk all because it goes through an extra filtration process (just like strained or “Greek”- style yogurt).
Speaking of Greek yogurt – I use Fage 2% or Siggi’s plain here – again for the lower sugar, higher protein content. Vanilla extract helps to add richness & flavor without sugar. My daughter can eat plain Greek yogurt happily, but if your child is not this way, maybe start with a flavored Siggi’s yogurt. I chose strawberries because -for once she’s not my child in this instance as she doesn’t like fresh fruits in general let along berries- I’m incorporating what nutrients and flavor profiles she’s missing in her normal diet. And spinach, let’s face it, she doesn’t eat hardly any veggies, so this is the most neutral flavor, but nutrient rich option to add into a smoothie!
Enjoy!
xo,
Becca
And for an easy printable recipe, don’t forget to click here: Smoothiepops.
twistednutritionblog.com 