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

FAQs

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

Up the Energy Density!

Some great examples are: avocado, nut butters, seeds, eggs, coconut milk, hummus & bean dips and full fat dairy like cheese, yoghurts and butter.

Nutrient-dense foods contain vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats. Examples of nutrient-dense foods include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free milk products, seafood, lean meats, eggs, peas, beans, and nuts.

✔ Arrange one-quarter of your plate with whole grains. ✔ Complete the other quarter with protein foods. ✔ Choose plant-based protein foods more often. ✔ Choose nutrient-dense foods when building a meal.

Children's nutritional requirements are usually higher than those of adults, as they grow fast. And nutrient-dense foods are rich in essential vitamins and minerals that boost the development of all vital organs and build immunity. Complex carbohydrates and lean proteins offer energy and build bones and muscles.

Some of the most nutritious foods you can eat are oily fish, eggs, avocados, potatoes, and green leafy vegetables. However, no food provides all the nutrients we need, so it's essential to have a varied diet that includes plenty of fresh ingredients and is as little processed as possible.

The only food which comes close to being something you could survive on long term as a sole ingredient is the potato. The fact that the potato has Vitamin C means that scurvy is not a risk like it would be with almost any other food source lacking in this nutrient.

Grains and legumes constitute the cornerstone of any survival diet. They are essential for providing sustainable energy and nutrients in challenging situations. They are packed with essential nutrients and can be stored for long periods, making them ideal for survival food storage.

The potato is one good example. Andrew Taylor isn't the only person in history who has relied almost exclusively on potatoes for sustenance. In the beginning of the 1800s, about a third of the Irish population got most of their calories from spuds.

The most complete meal is a meal that contains all of the food groups in appropriate proportions. For example, a balanced breakfast might include whole-grain cereal, fruit, milk, and eggs. A balanced lunch might consist of vegetables, protein, and whole grains.

Is peanut butter nutrient-dense? ›

Peanut butter also provides protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants — all of which promote good health. Since peanut butter supplies high-quality, nutrient-dense calories, 200 calories of peanut butter will have a stronger positive health impact than 200 calories of an ultra-processed “diet” food.

Foods high in protein, calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin C, such as milk, eggs, leafy greens, fruits, and lean meats, can significantly contribute to your child's height and overall physical development.

Foods high in salt (sodium), such as some canned foods, processed meats (e.g., lunch meats, sausages, hot dogs, ham), and frozen dinners should be avoided. Some snack foods and store-bought packaged toddler foods are high in salt.

To help children grow strong, include fruit and vegetables with meals and snacks. Fresh, frozen, or canned options are all okay. With canned vegetables, look for products with low sodium. With canned or frozen fruits, choose those with little or no added sugars.

Examples of nutrient dense foods include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free milk products, seafood, lean meats, eggs, peas, beans, and nuts.”

When snacking, choose mostly nutrient-dense foods, such as fat-free or low-fat dairy products as well as a variety of fruits and vegetables and nuts. Snack on crunchy vegetables with a fat-free or low-fat yogurt-based dip.

Fruits and veggies are probably what come to mind when you think of healthy foods, but other whole foods have high nutrient density values, too. Examples include wild-caught fish, cage-free eggs, beans and peas, raw nuts and seeds, grass-fed lean meats and poultry, and ancient/whole grains.