Getting Kids to Eat Apples

Apples are an all around fruit that has universal appeal. There’s nothing like an apple picked fresh from the tree. The crisp natural goodness has many health benefits. Unfortunately, kids don’t worry about any of that. So, how do you get them to eat apples?

 

Well, you can tell them how good apples are for their bodies. They may listen and then they may not. We all know what we should and should not eat, but it’s more fun to eat something that is not necessarily best for us.

 

The thing about apples is that they taste good. The natural sweetness can be better tasting than candy. Most kids have a sweet tooth so use apples to satisfy it.

 

On one hand, you can sneak apples into their favorite dishes. When there is more than one taste present, certain tastes that you find less appealing are masked. You’re kids may not be opposed to apples, but this is one way to get them to try them and like them before they can say no.

 

Do they like salad? Dice a few skinned apples and sprinkle them on the salad like croutons. The sweet taste contrasts with tomatoes and cucumbers to provide something extra.

 

Apples are also a favorite addition to chicken salad. It lends a certain zing to the chicken, mayo, and other ingredients. Use apples to flavor turkey salad as well.

 

Kids enjoy finger foods. Something that they can pick up and carry around with them makes eating not only fun but convenient. Create apple sticks by peeling and coring them first, then slicing the apples to resemble French fries. Combine with cheese sticks and their favorite sandwich for lunch and you’ve got a winner.

 

Apples are appealing as a drink. For kids who don’t eat fruit that often, give them their fruits in liquid form. Apple juice retains many of the nutrients as the actual apple. It is not as filling, will do instead of orange juice at breakfast or as a midmorning sweet tooth satisfier.

 

Apples can be incorporated into muffin mixes, cakes, and of course, pies. Even apple flavored yogurt contains pieces of the fruit. If your child has a problem with the taste, substitute other apple varieties. Gala apples are crisp and sweet while Granny Smith apples are tart and crisp.

 

Find out what they like and give it to them. The best thing about apples is they don’t need any added sugar to liven them up. The natural sugars will do the job just fine.