8 Good Foods Young Kids Love (and why they are good for them!)

Fruit - universally liked, sweet, enjoyable, and a good substitute for children who do not like vegetables. Fruit it is nutritious and refreshing, and remember – whole fruit contains more fibre than juice. Think about bananas – they are beaut for babies and scrumptious in smoothies. 

Yoghurt - smooth and pleasant, and an excellent food for children. A good source of dairy for those unable to digest milk or those with lactose intolerance, yoghurt adds friendly bacteria to the gut. It is also acceptable in most non-Western cultures.

Bread - our first convenience food - soft, chewy and satisfying. You can do million things with the humble loaf - from toast to sandwiches, and jaffles to pudding. Bread is a quick food for kids who can’t sit still for long.
(**Remember to always supervise young children while they are eating and don’t let them run while eating as this increases the risk of choking).

Breakfast cereals - convenient, nutritious, and mostly low in fat (except for toasted types). They make a good snack, and are a food that children can prepare for themselves. The enormous variety of cereals available caters for all dietary needs, but make sure you choose low-sugar varieties (you can always sweeten with fresh fruit if need be). Importantly, eating cereal also encourages milk consumption.

Lean mince - a great, easy way to get kids to eat meat – the best source of bioavailable iron. Mince can be turned into kid-friendly meals like the ever popular Spaghetti Bolognese, savoury mince, meatballs, hamburgers, meatloaf, and rissoles. Mince is both inexpensive and versatile, and can be kept frozen flat in 500g or 1kg packs so that you always have some on hand.

Pasta - a fabulous source of carbohydrates and energy, that is also relatively cheap. Most parents say ‘thank goodness for macaroni, spaghetti and noodles’ – they are soft and easy for kids to eat, and can be served with endless variations of toppings.

Eggs - always in the fridge, a quick meal when there is nothing else in the house to eat. Eggs are underrated with regard to their nutritional content due to cholesterol scares. However, eggs are popular with children and are a great standby for busy parents.

Baked beans - quick, handy and good to eat. One of the highest fibre foods, baked beans on toast is an excellent meal for kids. Make sure that you always have a can in the cupboard!

Published: 2008