I have the most stubborn breakfast-eater on the face of the planet. Oh, I am sure that there are some children who might almost measure up, but my daughter will happily go without food until noon if I let her. I try not to let her. In fact, I have been known to beg, cajole, plead, threaten, and use all sorts of untoward parenting behaviors just to get her to eat a few bites. I believe that she is truly not all that hungry in the morning, but unfortunately she has blood sugar crashes if she doesn’t eat until later in the morning.
One of our cures has been the morning smoothie. Our current favorite comes from the berries that we collected last summer. Ready for this summer? I already have my orders in. Parents, stock your freezers!
Our strawberry smoothie is easy to make. Take one blender, a few cups of organic strawberries, the sweetener of your choice (the more natural, the better), and almond milk, yogurt, or milk. If you’re feeling ambitious, add a banana. If you’re feeling really ambitious, add a little flax oil for omega 3s and brain development. Sneaky parents can also add a few sticks of celery and blend very well. Celery gives the whole thing a fresh flavor. Blend, serve with a straw. Drool.
Another favorite of mine is the blueberry banana smoothie. This one comes with all of the options above and then some. A few cups of blueberries, several bananas, milk, oil, and you’re ready to go. Blueberry smoothies are the perfect place to add spinach, since it blends in well with the blueberries. Feeling particularly sneaky? Add kale, the vitamin-rich winter vegetable. Just add it in small quantities and brush well afterward.
Smoothies have my daughter drinking her breakfast now, at least a few sips of it. Until next week, when the fashion changes.
Do you have a preschooler who finds it hard to eat in the morning? What do you do?