When it comes breakfast recipes for kids, morning mealtime can be a struggle. If you want to win the “I don’t like that” battle, you need dishes that are equal parts fun, delicious and nutritious. It’s all about balance, as in balancing what you want them to eat with what they actually want for themselves. Or as we like to call it: trickery. It’s about tricking your kids. You give them something that looks like it’s full of sugar, but really it’s loaded with vitamins and hidden healthy ingredients like—gasp—vegetables.
It’s no secret that healthy eating is crucial, especially with kids. Not only is childhood obesity on the rise, but Diabetes is also affecting more Americans than ever. If you don’t encourage your children to enjoy healthy habits now they will potentially miss major developmental and health milestones today, and they won’t stand a chance when they grow up. According to Charity Curley Mathews, founder of Foodlets.com, balanced eating is one of the most important lessons you can share with your family. “Food has huge implications for health, happiness, even our country’s financial well being…[healthy eating] is one of the most important things that we can teach our kids.” So let’s start today with these 12 balanced breakfast recipes for kids that your little ones (and their bodies) will love.
- Clown Face Breakfast Bagel
Kids like food more when it looks fun; it’s a proven fact. According to Joanna Dolgoff, Pediatrician, Child Obesity Specialist and author, the trick to getting “kids to eat more fruits and vegetables is as simple as putting together a pretty plate of food,” and research supports this finding. And what’s cooler than a cute smiley face on your bagel to grab a kid’s attention? Make a bagel with cream cheese and use fruit to make a clown face. The kids can help too, so this might be one time that it’s okay to play with your food.
- English Muffin Egg Pizzas
Every kid loves pizza, which is why this is one of the greatest breakfast recipes for kids out there. Let your kids eat pizza for breakfast if you want to score major brownie points and sneak some extra nutrients into their morning meal. By adding sliced hard-boiled eggs and cheese you’re packing in the protein, and you can whip them up in no time. (We always have some ready to go in our fridge).
Read Related: 10 Kids’ Breakfast Cereals We’re Still Sweet On
