As parents we want to offer our children a variety of nutritious foods that teach good food habits for a strong healthy body.

Apples are an excellent choice for children because they pack powerful nutrition and are good for the teeth.

The American Academy of Pediatrics lists apples as an important source of vitamin C, which is needed to produce collagen, the connective material that holds cells together and helps us maintain our bones, cartilage and teeth.

Keeping your menu’s creative with kids at the table can be a challenge.  Simply slicing an apple and presenting it on a plate can encourage a “grazing” child to pick up a slice and munch on the go.

When my son was young, he refused to eat at the table. I learned to fill a muffin tin with a variety of foods to entice him throughout the day.  Each morning I would load the tin with peas, small carrot sticks, chunks of apple, small pieces of cheese, grapes.  I would then place the tin on a table within his reach, and he would nibble.  I would return the tin to the refrigerator when he lost interest, and offer it again later in the day.  This method eliminated food time arguments in our house. What a blessing!

Below is a recipe for a great kid friendly apple salad.

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

¼ cup mayonnaise

¼ cup chopped peanuts

¼ cup raisins

Combine all these ingredients except the lettuce in a bowl, and gently mix. Cover the bowl, and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Arrange a lettuce leaf on a plate, and place a scoop of apple salad on top.