Once my kids were born, I felt this overwhelming need to start reading all the labels on the food I’d feed to my children. Cooking all of a sudden became a bigger priority—before they came along, takeout was a regular occurrence in our household, but with children in the picture, I tried to incorporate wholesome ingredients into their meals whenever possible. It became a bigger deal when my kids started getting really picky about what they wanted to eat. I had to get a little crafty, transforming traditional recipes into super healthy and energy-boosting variations.
Making healthy subs in recipes that my kids approved of often only requires a few minor substitutions. My kids pick apart their food like hawks—if there’s a speck of green where it shouldn’t be, I’ll never hear the end of it.
Although they don’t realize it, our children rely on us to provide them with wholesome foods and to start them off on their culinary journeys with an appreciation for a variety of foods and a developed palate. If you do it right, they will become accustomed to a diet filled with tasty, healthy foods.
Here are some healthy, easy-to-make healthy ingredient substitutions that can be made on a daily basis to ensure you provide healthier options for your family. Even if you’re at that stage where you can only make pizza every night for dinner or else, this list will help you pack the most nutrition into your kids’ meals.
When a recipe calls for… |
Use this instead: |
|
Bread crumbs |
Rolled oats (great source of fiber), crushed nuts (packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids, rice cakes (gluten-free option) |
|
Bacon |
Prosciutto or pancetta—both contain half the fat and calories. |
|
Butter (for baked goods) |
Applesauce, mashed banana/avocado—high in fiber & potassium and rich in omega-3s; add a creamy consistency without the added fat |
|
Butter (for frying/cooking) |
Extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil—heart-healthy omega-3s and less polyunsaturated fat than butter |
|
Canned fruit |
Fruit compotes—naturally sweet pureed fruit as opposed to artificial sweeteners and added refined sugar |
|
Canned legumes |
Dried legumes—high in fiber and protein without the additional sodium |
|
Chocolate chips |
Carob chips—they are similar in size and taste to chocolate chips with a slight caramel flavour and contain no caffeine. |
|
Cream cheese |
Pureed low fat cottage or ricotta cheese—they contain less fat and calories. |
|
Cream (in soups/stews) |
Pureed potato/sweet potato—they add a creamy texture without the added fat and calories. |
|
Croutons |
Fresh bread cut into cubes and toasted with extra virgin olive oil and spices |
|
Eggs |
Chia or flax seeds—these superfoods have the same consistency as eggs. (Soak 1 tbs. of either one with 3 tbs. warm water and let sit for about 10 minutes until thickened.) |
|
Flour (refined—for baking) |
Beans or whole wheat flour (using a 1:1 ratio)—great sources of protein and fiber |
|
Flour tortillas |
Corn tortillas—they contain half the calories and fat of regular tortillas. |
|
Frosting |
Replace butter with equal parts avocado, which contain heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, vitamin K, folate, and more. |
|
Ground beef |
Ground chicken or turkey—contain less fat and calories |
|
Iceberg lettuce |
Nutrient-dense leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, or arugula |
|
Ice cream |
Banana ice cream—freeze bananas and puree for a potassium-packed treat without any added fat or calories. |
|
Mayonnaise |
Avocado mayonnaise—packed with healthy nutrients and contains less fat and calories than mayo |
|
Mashed potatoes |
Mashed root vegetables—a sweeter option for baby with added nutrients such as beta-carotene and vitamin B |
|
Pasta (refined) |
Whole grains and whole grain pastas, such as brown rice, kamut, quinoa, or buckwheat |
|
Pasta (refined) |
Raw zucchini or squash ribbons—vitamin-rich noodles that are lighter and more easily digested |
|
Potato chips |
Kale chips—same crunchy texture, fat-free, and packed with vitamin K and iron |
|
Seasoning salt |
Fresh or dried herbs—add a sodium-free burst of flavour to baby’s food and experiment with combinations |
|
Sour cream |
Plain Greek yogurt—contains almost double the amount of protein |
|
Sugar (refined—in raw snacks) |
Vanilla bean or natural vanilla extract for added natural sweetness |
|
Sugar (refined—in baked goods) |
Natural liquid sweeteners such as organic maple syrup, brown rice syrup, agave, or raw honey |
|
White rice |
Grated cooked cauliflower—roasted or steamed, it has the same crumbly texture. |
| White table salt | Himalayan sea salt, fresh lemon/lime juice, or Parmesan cheese—they bring out flavour and freshness without the additional sodium. |
|
Whole milk |
Skim milk or dairy-free options, such as coconut or almond milk—they contain less fat and calories and are healthier, vegan-friendly substitutions. |
More Healthy Recipes for Kids:
