I just updated my profile to reflect that I am now the mom of a hungry toddler and a hungry 7-year-old, as opposed to a hungry baby and a 6-year-old! Oh, the days and moths go by too fast, and sometimes the babies, who were GREAT eaters, become toddlers who are a little more picky. My newly picky toddler has started to reject even trying new foods, and seems to have a dislike of fruits that she used to love! What to do as I watch my toddler's diet shrink, as opposed to grow, with age?
Well, not to worry - after talking with the doctor, I learned (or was reminded, since I've already been through this once) that toddler pickiness can be attributable to anything from teething to maturing taste buds anxious for more exciting flavors to a toddler's natural tendency to shed a bit of the baby fat (and believe me, she's got plenty of that to spare). And that pickiness is often just a phase. So with renewed gumption, I'm forging ahead with continuing to make good foods that offer a variety of tastes and textures, and sneaking in the fruits and veggies where I can!
With my renewed gumption comes a new recipe that sneaks in a few fruits that some toddlers (including mine) consider bitter or tart when served on their own, and can sometimes be difficult to chew, and turns them into a yummy smoothie that both my kids ask for in the morning for a quick breakfast or in the afternoon for a snack.
Fruit Smoothie
1 ripe banana
3/4 cup assorted fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, mango, pineapple, or blueberries (fresh for a creamier smoothie or frozen for a thicker, chilled smoothie)
1/2 cup yogurt (I use either regular full-fat vanilla or Greek yogurt)
1/4 cup whole milk, plus more to thin to baby's liking
Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth, thinning with a bit of extra milk, as necessary. I have found that it doesn't matter whether I use a yogurt that has some sugar, or a sugar-free Greek yogurt; the sweetness of the fruits is enough to make it appealing.
I often use just pineapple, banana and mango and call it Mango Tango. Or just blackberries, banana and strawberry and call it Berry Delicious (this one come out a bit purple in color, which older kids enjoy). So many fruits could work - I would love to hear your suggestions!
Serve in a cup with a straw; the straw makes it easy for a toddler to drink and the smoothie is too thick for a standard sippy cup. I serve the smoothie with a side of dry Cheerios for a change of texture and to give my toddler's hands something to do, otherwise she insists on holding (and often spilling) the smoothie.
Showing posts with label Greek style yogurt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greek style yogurt. Show all posts
February 3, 2010
August 30, 2009
Hungry Baby's Favorites - Greek Yogurt
One of hungry baby's favorite foods is plain Greek yogurt!
Baby's Age: approximately 6 months
Consistency: smooth
Super easy and versatile, plain Greek yogurt can be served as is out of the container or added to fruit purees, vegetables, oatmeal, rice cereal, and even pureed chicken. The list of uses goes on and on! Why is Greek yogurt so great?
1. Unlike other yogurts found at the grocery store, Greek style yogurt is NOT low-fat, therefore it has no added thickeners. It adds fat to baby's diet. Yes, some fat is actually good for babies!
2. Greek yogurt is good stuff. Check the ingredients on the Greek yogurt at your grocery store and you're likely to find that it contains only milk, cream, and active cultures. Nothing that you aren't familiar with or can't pronounce!
2. Unlike regular yogurt, Greek yogurt is not sweetened either with artificial sweeteners or sugar, making it an excellent choice for babies, who should really be getting their sweets from fruits.
3. Greek yogurt is versatile! I have nothing against Yo Baby as a brand, and as a matter of fact, I think it is very flavorful. But, there is always a fruit or vanilla added to the yogurt, making it less appealing when added to dishes for baby such as pureed carrots or chicken. A plain Greek yogurt is a much more versatile choice when preparing baby's meals at home.
Greek yogurt can be found at most grocery stores. It is sometimes located in the organic or "green" dairy section of the grocery store. Other times, it is found with the other yogurts. Sometimes, it is located in both places. Our local grocery store carries flavored Greek yogurt with the other yogurts and plain Greek yogurt with the organic dairy products. Go figure.
Trader Joe's sells a Greek style yogurt - a large container for just a couple of bucks, and it generally lasts for about a month! Our local Publix sells a Greek style yogurt called FAGE (yes, all capital letters), which is also quite good. So let your baby give Greek style yogurt a try!
Baby's Age: approximately 6 months
Consistency: smooth
Super easy and versatile, plain Greek yogurt can be served as is out of the container or added to fruit purees, vegetables, oatmeal, rice cereal, and even pureed chicken. The list of uses goes on and on! Why is Greek yogurt so great?
1. Unlike other yogurts found at the grocery store, Greek style yogurt is NOT low-fat, therefore it has no added thickeners. It adds fat to baby's diet. Yes, some fat is actually good for babies!
2. Greek yogurt is good stuff. Check the ingredients on the Greek yogurt at your grocery store and you're likely to find that it contains only milk, cream, and active cultures. Nothing that you aren't familiar with or can't pronounce!
2. Unlike regular yogurt, Greek yogurt is not sweetened either with artificial sweeteners or sugar, making it an excellent choice for babies, who should really be getting their sweets from fruits.
3. Greek yogurt is versatile! I have nothing against Yo Baby as a brand, and as a matter of fact, I think it is very flavorful. But, there is always a fruit or vanilla added to the yogurt, making it less appealing when added to dishes for baby such as pureed carrots or chicken. A plain Greek yogurt is a much more versatile choice when preparing baby's meals at home.
Greek yogurt can be found at most grocery stores. It is sometimes located in the organic or "green" dairy section of the grocery store. Other times, it is found with the other yogurts. Sometimes, it is located in both places. Our local grocery store carries flavored Greek yogurt with the other yogurts and plain Greek yogurt with the organic dairy products. Go figure.
Trader Joe's sells a Greek style yogurt - a large container for just a couple of bucks, and it generally lasts for about a month! Our local Publix sells a Greek style yogurt called FAGE (yes, all capital letters), which is also quite good. So let your baby give Greek style yogurt a try!
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