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

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

Want to Save This Article?

Enter your email & I’ll send it straight to your inbox.And you’ll get new recipes & tips each week.

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.

Facebook

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    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!)

What meals are nutrient-dense? ›

23 Nutrient-Rich De-Stress Meals And Snacks
  • Blueberry protein pancakes. Why? ...
  • Thai chicken, carrot and cashew salad. Why? ...
  • Coconut and pumpkin soup. Why? ...
  • Rump steak with parsnip mash. Why? ...
  • Mushroom, spinach and chickpea curry. Why? ...
  • Cauliflower steaks with harissa and goat's cheese. ...
  • Brownie energy balls. ...
  • Pumpkin granola bites.

Why do children need small nutrient-dense meals? ›

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 are some foods such as are more nutrient-dense than others? ›

Example of nutrient-dense foods include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, full-fat dairy products, wild-caught seafood, grass-fed meats, pastured eggs, legumes, and nuts. Processed foods, on the other hand, tend to bear little weight on the nutrient density scale relative to their natural food counterparts.

How to make kids food nutrient-dense? ›

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

What is the single most nutritious food? ›

1. Almonds. There you have it – the most nutrient-dense food on the planet is the humble almond. Praises for almonds have been sung for a long time, with many studies carried out surrounding their benefits related to heart health and diabetes.

What single food can you survive on the longest? ›

It is argued that the single, most complete food a human needs to survive is human breast milk. Other foods may be nutritious but inevitably lack certain vitamins, minerals, etc.

What foods help kids grow? ›

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.

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.

What are the symptoms of protein deficiency in children? ›

  • Edema (Swelling) One of the main signs of kwashiorkor is swelling on both sides of the body. ...
  • Skin and Hair Changes. ...
  • Getting Sick More Often. ...
  • Muscle Loss and Weakness. ...
  • Decreased Bone Development and Density. ...
  • Stunted Growth. ...
  • Weight Loss or Gain. ...
  • Anemia.
Sep 5, 2023

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 nutrient-dense foods to eat everyday? ›

For a nutrient-dense and heart-healthy dietary pattern: Eat a variety of fruit and vegetables. Eat whole grains. Include healthy sources of protein, mostly from plant sources (legumes and nuts), fish and seafood, fat-free or low-fat dairy, lean cuts of unprocessed meat and skinless poultry.

What is the most nutrient-dense survival food? ›

Plant-Based Proteins: Beans, Nuts, and Seeds

For those who prefer plant-based proteins, options like beans, nuts, and seeds can provide you with the essential nutrients you need to stay healthy in survival situations. These foods are not only rich in protein but also provide fiber and other essential nutrients.

What are 6 nutrient-dense foods? ›

Foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, lean meat, beans, nuts and seeds are all great examples of nutrient-dense foods. By choosing more nutrient-dense foods, you'll get the beneficial nutrients your body needs without consuming too many calories.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Catherine Tremblay

Last Updated:

Views: 6624

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Catherine Tremblay

Birthday: 1999-09-23

Address: Suite 461 73643 Sherril Loaf, Dickinsonland, AZ 47941-2379

Phone: +2678139151039

Job: International Administration Supervisor

Hobby: Dowsing, Snowboarding, Rowing, Beekeeping, Calligraphy, Shooting, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Catherine Tremblay, I am a precious, perfect, tasty, enthusiastic, inexpensive, vast, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.