Children can be picky eaters, especially when it comes to eating healthy foods. One way to help motivate them to eat more is through making food fun by allowing them to eat with their fingers. You can do this during snack or lunch time by making creative and healthy finger sandwiches.
Step 1
Start with a whole grain bread instead of white processed breads. Whole grains provide complex carbohydrates for energy and higher levels of fiber which help your child reach the 25 grams a day recommended by the Mayo Clinic. Cut the bread into various shapes to make the finger sandwiches even more fun for your child.
Step 2
Apply a low-fat spread onto the bread, such as low-fat mayonnaise instead of full-fat mayo. Consider replacing mayo all together with other healthy spreads such as hummus, Nutella, peanut butter or mashed avocado.
Step 3
Add vegetables and even fruits to your finger sandwiches to add an extra nutritional punch. Vegetables such as cucumbers, green peppers, dark leafy greens or shredded carrots provide the vitamins and minerals your child needs to develop properly. For peanut butter sandwiches or Nutella, fruits like bananas, strawberries and other berries can be added for extra nutritional value.
Step 4
Add lean proteins to increase the overall protein content of the finger sandwich. Sliced turkey, ham, tuna, or thinly sliced chicken breast all work well in sandwiches for your kids. Cheese also provides a good source of both protein and calcium to help your child build healthy bones. Substitute hummus or black beans if you are raising your child on a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Step 5
Cut the finished sandwiches with a knife into small bite-sized portions by cutting the shape of an "x" across the bread to make triangles, or both a horizontal and vertical cut at the center of the sandwich to create four small squares. Use cookie cutters to make shapes such as hearts, stars or other figures.
Things You'll Need
- Whole grain bread
- Assorted spreads
- Assorted fruits and vegetables
- Knife
- Cookie cutter
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