February 26, 2024

Make Healthy Eating Fun: MyPlate Snails Recipe 

 myplate snails

Healthy eating is vital for kids' growth and development, but getting them excited about nutritious foods can sometimes feel like a insurmountable task. However, with a bit of creativity and a dash of fun, parents can turn mealtime into a delightful adventure that both nourishes and entertains.  

In this blog post, we'll explore how to make healthy eating fun for kids by incorporating interactive elements into their meals, all while following the guidelines of MyPlate for a balanced diet. Make sure to try our MyPlate snail recipe included below! 

Vegetables: Colorful Creations  

Vegetables often get a bad rap from kids, but with a little ingenuity, they can become the star of the plate.   

Encourage children to participate in creating colorful veggie masterpieces by arranging different vegetables into fun shapes or patterns. Try making veggie skewers with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and bell pepper chunks, or create a "build-your-own" veggie pizza station with a variety of colorful toppings. Remember, the more vibrant the colors, the more nutrients they contain! 

Fruits: Sweet Treats 

Fruits are nature's candy, and there are endless ways to make them enticing for kids.  

Turn fruit into a fun snack by arranging slices into smiley faces or animal shapes. Make fruit kebabs with a mix of berries, grapes, and pineapple chunks, or blend them into a refreshing smoothie and let kids choose their favorite ingredients. Whether it's a fruity dessert or a refreshing snack, incorporating fruits into meals adds a burst of flavor and nutrition. 

Grains: Playful Pals   

Grains provide essential energy for active kids, and there are plenty of ways to make them exciting. 

Use whole grain bread to create whimsical sandwich shapes using cookie cutters or let kids assemble their own DIY tacos with whole wheat tortillas and an array of fillings. Experiment with different types of grains like quinoa, brown rice, or whole grain pasta to introduce variety and texture to meals. 

Proteins: Adventure in a Bite 

Protein is crucial for growing bodies, and there are numerous fun ways to incorporate it into kids' diets.  

Transform ordinary protein sources like chicken, tofu, or beans into flavorful skewers or sliders. Encourage kids to get hands-on by building their own mini kabobs with a mix of protein and colorful veggies. Incorporate lean meats into homemade meatballs or introduce them to the world of sushi with veggie and tofu rolls. 

Dairy: Creamy Delights  

Dairy products are rich in calcium and essential for bone health. 

Make dairy a delightful part of meals by offering a variety of options like yogurt parfaits with layers of fruit and granola, cheesy quesadillas with whole grain tortillas, or homemade frozen yogurt popsicles with blended fruit and yogurt. Encourage kids to get creative with dairy by providing a selection of toppings and mix-ins for yogurt or offering different types of cheese to sample. 

MyPlate Snails Recipe 

Making healthy eating fun for kids is all about creativity, engagement, and a sprinkle of imagination. By incorporating interactive elements into meals and snacks, parents can inspire their children to develop a lifelong love of nutritious foods. 

Remember to follow the general guidelines of MyPlate, ensuring that meals are balanced and provide a variety of nutrients from each food group. With a little bit of effort and a lot of fun, mealtime can become an enjoyable adventure for the whole family. So, let's get cooking and make healthy eating a tasty and exciting journey for our kids! 

-Captain Create 

Ingredients:

  • 3 whole wheat tortillas 
  • 6 small dill pickles 
  • 3 large slices of cheese 
  • 1/4 cup of fully cooked canned chicken 
  • 2 T low fat mayonnaise 
  • 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper 
  • 1/4 tsp salt 
  • 1/4 tsp paprika 
  • 1/4 cup sliced grapes 
  • 1/4 cup celery  
  • 12 toothpicks 

Directions: 

  • Dice grapes and celery finely. 
  • Slice each pickle in half, and trim a small amount off each pickle for tails. 
  • Add celery, grapes, seasonings, mayonnaise, and canned chicken to a bowl and mix. 
  • Lay tortillas flat and add chicken salad mix to each tortilla. Spread evenly across each tortilla, and add a slice of cheese to each tortilla. 
  • Roll the tortillas, and slice into pinwheels. 
  • Assemble snails by placing the head of the snail (pickle) at the base of a pinwheel. Split a toothpick in half and attach to pickle for snail antennae. Place the small pieces of trimmed pickle behind the pinwheel to make a snail tail. Makes 12 snails. 

my plate snails recipe

If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to check out our other posts! 

Connect With Us

Learn More

Free CBH Online Course Newsletter SIGN UP Find In-person Classes See CBH Blog See Spanish Blog

On This Page