Apples are one of the most popular fruits in the world. They are tasty, beautiful and full of vitamins and minerals that keep us healthy and make for a good food for kids dental care. Apples can be purchased throughout the year but are most popular during the fall. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists apples as an importance source of vitamin C, which is needed to produce collagen, the connective substance that holds cells together and helps to maintain healthy blood vessels, bones, cartilage and teeth. Here are a few recipes to try with your children.
Apple Yogurt Dip
There is nothing easier than slicing up an apple and providing a dip for your kids for an after-school snack. The fruit, coupled with the protein in the dip, should keep your youngsters satisfied until dinner. Combine one-half cup vanilla yogurt with one-quarter teaspoon each of cinnamon and vanilla extract. Invite your children to dip their sliced apples into this yummy dipping sauce.
Apple Sandwich
Skip the bread, and put your filling between two slices of apple. Slice the apple into rounds and remove the core and any seeds. Spread the slices with peanut butter or creamy cheddar cheese. Sprinkle raisins or sunflower seeds onto the spread, and then put the slices together as a sandwich. This is a fun and nutritious lunch for any child — and adults too!
Crunchy Apple Salad
Put together these ingredients for a fun salad that kids love. You will need:
- 1 large unpeeled apple, chopped
- 1 large rib of celery, chopped
- Lettuce leaves
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
- 1/4 cup raisins
Combine all these ingredients except the lettuce in a bowl, and gently mix. Cover the bowl, and chill it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Arrange a lettuce leaf on a plate, and place a scoop of apple salad on top.
Edible Apple Art
Children can use their creative abilities to construct an apple turkey. Take a nice round apple for the bird's body, and let the kids insert toothpicks in the back for tail feathers. Select foods that can be stuck to the toothpicks for color and flavor; some examples include chunks of cheese, seasonal grapes, blueberries and colored miniature marshmallows. Draw a turkey head onto cardboard, color in the features and cut it out. An adult should then use a knife to cut a small slit in the front of the apple in which to insert the head. Take a photo of your child's creation before devouring this fun snack. Why not make a few and use these as place settings on your holiday table?
These apple recipes are only a few of the many healthy snacks you and your youngsters can make to promote kids dental care and prevent tooth decay. Remember that healthy teeth are the result of a nutritious diet.
