60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love (2024)

60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love (1)

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Today, I am excited to share a “round-up” of over sixty recipes. These recipes are not your average kid’s meal, rather these recipes are nutrient-dense, packed with good fats and vitamins and minerals. As a mom I desire to feed my children with food, made in our home, that will nourish their growing bodies and minds. I have witnessed the dramatic impact a nutrient-dense diet can have on a growing child. You can read more on the impact a nutrient-dense diet has had in my son’s life here. While I strive to provide the very best in nourishment for my kiddos, I’m challenged by the picky tastes children can develop. Piper, my oldest, knows what he likes and what he doesn’t. I am often looking for new ways to pack as many nutrients as possible into the food I prepare to ensure he gets the nourishment he needs.

The list below is just a starting point. A round-up to give you and I a few fresh ideas when it comes to nourishing our children. I’ll be sharing in a later post important nutrients growing bodies need (read the post here), but for now I give you food, glorious food. And lots of it! I’d love for you to share, in the comments below, nutrient-dense recipes your kids love! Let’s get started.

Breakfast

Muffins/Pancakes/Waffles:

Eggs:

Lunch/Dinner

60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love (4)

Meats/Seafood:

  • Chicken Fajitas from Live Simply
  • Sweet Chicken Kabobs with Citrus-Soy Sauce from Live Simply
  • Chicken Tenders from The Organic Kitchen
  • Chicken Legs from We Got Real
  • Cowboy Casserolefrom We Got Real
  • Real Food Meatballsfrom Scratch Mommy
  • Salmon Patties from We Got Real
  • Chicken and Rice from The Elliott Homestead
  • Viva La Beef Taquitos from The Elliott Homestead
  • Allergy-Friendly Fish Sticks from Momables
  • Healthy Homemade Fish Sticks from Prairie Homestead
  • Goulash from We Got Real
  • Homemade Tacos: ground beef and toppings of choice
60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love (5)

Kid-classics:

  • Gluten-Free/Grain-Free Chicken Nuggets from Mama & Baby Love
  • Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese from Live Simply
  • Macaroni and Cheese with Swiss Chard and Mushrooms from Live Simply
  • Nutrient-Dense Mac and Cheesefrom Naturally Mindful
  • Quinoa and Cheese from Nourishing Herbalist
  • Homemade Corn Dogs from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie
  • Homemade Corn Dogs from Deliciously Organic
  • Hamburgers (with Hidden Liver) from Hollywood Homestead
  • Homemade Pizza and Sauce from Live Simply
  • Kale Salad Pizza from Live Simply

Veggies/Fruits:

60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love (6)

Veggies:

60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love (7)

Fruit:

Dips

60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love (8)

Sweet Dips:

Savory Dips:

Snacks

60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love (9)

Gelatin:

60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love (10)

Fruit Leather:

Granola/Cereal/Bars

60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love (11)

Granola/Cereal:

Bars:

Drinks

60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love (13)

Smoothies:

Alternatives to Juices/Sodas/Flavored Milk:

Treats

60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love (14)

Ice Cream/Popsicles/Puddings:

Cookies:

60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love (15)

Kristin Marr

Kristin is the creator and editor-in-chief of Live Simply. Kristin is married to her high school sweetheart, Dustin, and is the mom to two kids and two free-roam (litterbox-trained) bunnies, Leo and Estela. Kristin started Live Simply in 2013 to share her passion for real food and natural living.

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    1. Hey Jenn, Thank you for asking. Linking from your blog to this round-up with A-okay :).

      Reply

  1. RT @brendondesimone: Ummmm adults too!!! RT @angelokaramanis: 60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love http://t.co/CAS7OuwvIm

    Reply

  2. Ummmm adults too!!! RT @angelokaramanis: 60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love http://t.co/CAS7OuwvIm

    Reply

  3. RT @FoodHasPower: Wow!! 60 Nutrient-Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love – including ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, veggies,… http://…

    Reply

  4. Wow!! 60 Nutrient-Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love – including ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, veggies,… http://t.co/8ggE312h9u

    Reply

  5. What a great resource! Thanks so much for featuring my meatballs!

    Reply

    1. Thank you 🙂 and thank you for the great meatball recipe!

      Reply

  6. What a great post, Kristin! I’ve pinned this as you’ve shared so many great recipes. Thanks for sharing my KIND Fruit and Nut Bars. Blessings, Kelly

    Reply

  7. I love this collection of healthy recipes ! Never thought about making gummies before but a definite alternative to the synthetic laden treats offered in the stores. Thanks for you blog. I will be sure to share with your cousin 🙂

    Reply

  8. Wow, great roundup! Thanks for sharing my raw juices for kiddos 🙂 -Rama, Freshly Grown

    Reply

    1. Thank you 🙂 And thank you for the great juice recipes! I kids love them 🙂

      Reply

  9. Awesome ideas! I’ll definitely be incorporating some of these into our meal plan this week!

    Reply

  10. A bookmark for sure! Awesome post! (And thank you so much for including my recipe!)

    Reply

60 Plus Nutrient Dense Recipes Every Kid Will Love (2024)

FAQs

What is your tasty nutrient-dense food idea for kids? ›

Colorful fruits and veggies

A wide range of fruits and vegetables, from apples, to carrots, to broccoli, to bananas, can all provide nutrients for your child. If your child is not eating vegetables right now, then don't be afraid to have them eat lots of fruit (but keep serving those veggies too!)

Why do children need small nutrient-dense meals and snacks? ›

All children and adolescents need healthy snacks and meals to support their growth and development. A nutrient-rich diet plays an important role in your child's mental and physical development.

What to cook for a crowd of kids? ›

So we rounded up a bunch of crowd-pleasing recipes that the kids and adults at your table will love.
  1. Broccoli and Cheese–Stuffed Chicken Breast. ...
  2. Shrimp Fried Rice. ...
  3. Baked Coconut Shrimp. ...
  4. Skillet Lasagna With Spinach and Mushrooms. ...
  5. Thai Peanut Sesame Noodles. ...
  6. Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake. ...
  7. Hamburger and Zucchini Skillet.
Aug 14, 2019

What are the most nutrient-dense foods for kids? ›

Consider these nutrient-dense foods:
  • Protein. Choose seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, beans, peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds.
  • Fruits. Encourage your child to eat a variety of fresh, canned, frozen or dried fruits. ...
  • Vegetables. ...
  • Grains. ...
  • Dairy.

What are nutrient-dense foods for picky eaters? ›

Offer a Diverse, Nutrient-Dense Diet

For children who are 2 years old or older, health officials champion daily servings of fruits and vegetables, whole grains (such as oatmeal and brown rice), oils and a range of lean proteins (including beans, eggs, lentils, peas, seafood, and low-fat meats and poultry).

What are the 10 best foods for a teenager to eat? ›

What to eat
  • fruit and vegetables.
  • starchy foods, such as potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates.
  • beans and pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins.
  • dairy and alternatives.
  • oils and spreads.

How does poor nutrition affect child development? ›

Children with poor eating habits don't get the amounts of nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. This can lead to being underweight or overweight. Children who are poorly nourished tend to have weaker immune systems, which increases their chances of illness.

What is the cheapest food to feed a crowd? ›

Feed the masses without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly dishes.
  • Mexican Lasagne. A spicy lasagne for those of us who love Mexican and Italian food. ...
  • Cheese Cob Dip. ...
  • The Best Burger in Oz. ...
  • Kangaroo Casserole. ...
  • Sausage Casserole. ...
  • Nanna's golden sausage casserole. ...
  • Quiche Lorraine. ...
  • Turkey and Pumpkin Lasagne.

What is the best nutrition food for kids? ›

Top list of healthy foods for growing kids
  1. Eggs. This one is a food having a high level of protein and DHA level that helps in the proper growth of the brain cells in your child.
  2. Berries. ...
  3. Tuna. ...
  4. Legumes. ...
  5. Dairy. ...
  6. Yogurt. ...
  7. Fruits and vegetables. ...
  8. Whole grains.
Feb 8, 2024

What are 5 nutrient-dense foods? ›

12 Of The Most Nutrient-Dense Foods You Can Eat
  • Salmon.
  • Sardines.
  • Kale.
  • Seaweed.
  • Garlic.
  • Shellfish.
  • Potatoes.
  • Liver.
Jul 6, 2023

What are energy dense foods for kids? ›

Banana, frozen/fresh berries and tinned fruit all blend well. Milkshakes – Creamy milkshakes made with milk, ice-cream and flavourings such as milo or ice-cream topping make a high energy drink. HELPFUL HINTS: To help your child eat well, it is important to make meal times as relaxed and happy as possible.

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