As a mom, I’m always looking for ways to get my toddlers to eat healthier. Luckily, my kids love fruits and vegetables and eat them with no complaints; but I was looking for more creative ways to add fruits and veggies into their day. One thing that I don’t give them often is juice, and my oldest has started asking for it–a lot! So I figured incorporating smoothies into our meals would be a great way to give them more drink options, besides water and milk, while still giving them the essential nutrients they need.
These smoothies are going to be a great go-to breakfast for mornings when we don’t have time to have a sit down breakfast but I still want to ensure they start their day with enough nutrients. This will also be great for snack time.
Benefits of smoothies for toddlers
Smoothies are an excellent way to get your toddler to eat fruits and vegetables, which are essential for their growth and development. Smoothies are:
- Nutrient-dense: Smoothies are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are important for your child’s health.
- Easy to digest: Smoothies are easy on your child’s digestive system and can help to prevent constipation.
- Hydrating: Smoothies are a great way to keep your child hydrated, especially during the hot summer months.
- Convenient: Smoothies are quick and easy to make, making them a great option for busy parents. You can even use zip-lock bags to freeze your smoothie blend.
Choosing the right ingredients for toddler smoothies
When making smoothies for toddlers, it’s important to choose the right ingredients. Here are some tips I use when making smoothies for my toddlers:
- Choose fruits and vegetables that are high in nutrients: Some good options include berries, bananas, spinach, kale, and avocados.
- Choose fruits that are naturally sweet: This will help to make the smoothie taste good without adding too much sugar.
- Add healthy fats: Adding healthy fats like avocado, coconut oil, or nut butter can help to keep your child full and satisfied.
- Avoid added sugars: Avoid adding sugar to your smoothies, and opt for natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or dates instead.
5 delicious smoothie recipes for toddlers
Now that we’ve covered the benefits of smoothies and how to choose the right ingredients, let me share with you 5 smoothie recipes that are in rotation for my toddlers. There are many ways to make these smoothies; I’m sharing with you the ingredients I choose to use but be creative and find a mix that works for you and your toddler. Keep reading to see how I also plan to save even more time with these smoothie recipes.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup strawberries
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup spinach (optional)
- 1 tbsp honey
Spinach Mango Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen mango
- 1/2 cup spinach
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 banana
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey
Mango, Pineapple, and Carrot Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen mango
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup water
Green Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 banana
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp honey
If you know me by now, you know that I’m all about saving time. One thing that I plan to do with these smoothies is combine the ingredients in bulk and freeze them. I’ll put everything, except for the yogurt and liquid in zip-lock or silicone storage bags and freeze it. I’ve read that it can be frozen for up to 3 months. That way, on busy mornings, I can just take out the bags from the freezer, add in the liquid and blend.
Let me know if you try any of these smoothie recipes for your toddler, or even yourself (because trust me, I’ll be enjoying these as well!).
