You may not think your child is at risk for high cholesterol, but children who are sedentary, overweight or who have a family history of high cholesterol and heart disease could have high cholesterol levels in childhood that could lead to problems in adulthood. Citing the National Cholesterol Education, KidsHealth.org says you should test children in the above categories who are between the ages of 2 and 10. You can typically control high cholesterol with exercise and a low-fat diet.
Pudding
Make pudding with low-fat milk for a calcium-rich dessert. You can pack pudding in small cups for lunch boxes or give it to your child as an after-school snack. You can also freeze pudding in molds for homemade pudding pops.
Yogurt
Nonfat yogurt with fruit provides calcium and nutrition from fruit. Try non-fat Greek yogurt, which has a thick, pudding like consistency and a creamy texture.
Cookies
Choose low-fat varieties of cookies such as gingersnaps or graham crackers. Rice Krispies treats made with margarine are another choice most children enjoy. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service points out that you can lower the fat in homemade baked goods by substituting applesauce for all, or part, of the oil or butter called for in the recipe. You can also use two egg whites in place of each whole egg in the recipe, and reduce the amount of high-fat ingredients such as nuts.
Frozen Desserts
Choose sorbet, sherbet, frozen yogurt or low-fat ice cream. You can also serve smoothies made with frozen fruit and a little milk or yogurt. Make your own popsicles by freezing fruit juice in molds.
Gelatin
Gelatin has no fat and is available in a variety of fruity flavors. Choose sugar-free gelatin if you want to limit the amount of sugar your child ingests. Mix the gelatin with fresh fruit, or make the recipe with half the called for amount of liquid to make "jigglers" you can cut into fun shapes.
Fruit
Serve fruit cut up with a dip made of nonfat sour cream, nonfat cream cheese and little cinnamon. Make frozen fruit kabobs with frozen grapes, cherries and banana chunks on a stick. Try a fruit parfait by layering different kinds of fruit in a tall glass, with low-fat yogurt or vanilla pudding.
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