Sharing a meal is a healthy activity for any family especially when sustainable vegan cuisine is on the menu. Learn to make plant-based eating super appealing to kids with this delicious guide to vegan kid meals!
There are many great reasons to introduce your child to vegan eating; from delicious healthy flavors to wanting to offer a more sustainable diet. Any reason is a great excuse to try vegan food for the whole family, yet getting everyone excited about plants can be tough. With the right menu, even your littlest eater will be ecstatic to eat their veggies!
1. What Makes Food Kid-Friendly?
When it comes to mealtime, kids can be very discerning; and although pickiness can be frustrating for parents, the best cure is to get creative. Keep offering new and different foods to your child until you can find something that they love.
Try these ways to make food more interesting for choosy children:
- Get Colorful: Make mealtime into a rainbow by serving loads of colorful veggies and fruits.
- Treat Them to Textures: Mix up the meal by including plenty of differing food textures.
- Consistency is Key: Just keep trying! Offer new things more than once and in different ways. Just remember to keep it positive so that kids stay just as excited.
2. Can Kids Eat Safely Eat Vegan?
Everybody is different. That is why it’s essential to give thought and careful consideration to your whole family’s diets. If your child has previously eaten meat or dairy, going vegan can represent a big change. However, for most people of all ages making the switch to a plant-based lifestyle can be easy, safe, and sustainable.
Consult with your child’s doctor or a nutritionist to help you build the ideal transitional meal plan for your child.
3. Best Vegan Kid Meals
With a few vegan standards in your arsenal, you can blow your kids away. Try these tasty, kid meals to get your children pumped about plant-based eating!
3.1 Breakfast
i.) Vegan Banana Pancakes
Kids love pancakes, plain and simple. Luckily, pancakes are very easy to restyle with plant-based ingredients. Swap out any dairy or eggs in your traditional recipe with non-dairy alternatives. Add sliced bananas to make the cakes even more kid-friendly.
ii.) Fresh Fruit Smoothie
Every little kid loves smoothies! They’re a super fun way to start your day with plenty of healthy plant-based nutrients. Try sneaking extra substance into your kiddo’s smoothie with some added leafy greens, seeds, and/or nut milk.
iii.) Overnight Oats
Oatmeal has a comforting texture and flavor that speaks to the child in all of us! Overnight oatmeal takes the ease of grab-and-go breakfast and merges it with the deliciously slow flavor of steel-cut oatmeal. Make your oats with dairy-free liquid and plenty of additional warm spices, fruit, and nuts to make your kids crave this easy breakfast.
3.2 Lunch
i.) Peanut Butter and Jelly
These kids meals might sound a little obvious, but if you know your kid loves PB&J why not use that as an inroad for harder-to-sell ingredients. For example, try adding a few slices of kiwi, apple, or even romaine lettuce to your little one’s favorite sammie.
ii.) Veggie Burgers
Veggie burgers are a safe bet for most kiddos. Whether it’s a homemade veggie patty or a store-bought plant-based burger, kids love them! Keep it simple with just a little vegan ketchup and mustard to win over your picky eater.
iii.) Sweet Potato and Black Bean Taquitos
Kids adore handheld and dippable foods. That is why they will love plant-based taquitos. Simply roll cooked sweet potatoes and black beans in tortillas and then bake them until they’re nice and crispy. Kids can dip them in fresh salsa for a super fun vegan meal!
iv.) Vegetable and Hummus Wrap
The luscious and satisfying savory flavor of hummus is perfect for children! Spread some on a tortilla and then fill it with all your favorite veggies, like cucumbers, chickpeas, carrots, and tomatoes. Roll it up and you have the perfect wrap for kids of all ages!
3.3 Dinner
i.) Butternut Squash Mac ‘n Not Cheese
Kids love pasta so give them what they want by turning classic macaroni and cheese into a delicious vegan dish. Roast some butternut squash, onions, and carrots in the oven. Blitz the roasted veggies in the blender with some stock until they have a sauce-like texture. Pour this over pasta to drive your kids wild!
ii.) Lentil Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes are a true childhood classic and they are so easy to make meatless! Brown some onions, add cooked lentils, then stir in your favorite vegan sloppy joe mixture. Little ones absolutely love this messy but delicious dish!
iii.) Battered Cauliflower Bites
If your kiddos love chicken nuggets, try battered cauliflower bites as a tasty meat-free alternative. Simply, chop up a head of cauliflower and toss it in a batter made of flour, seasonings, and club soda. Air fry or bake the bites until they’re crunchy pieces of deliciousness!
iv.) Veggie Fried Rice
Fried rice is the perfect plant-based dish for kids! It is easy, comforting, and full of flavors. Make an easy fried rice with your child’s favorite veggies. Season it with tamari to make a flavorful dish young vegans will adore.
3.4 Dessert
i.) Grilled Fruit
Fruit is one thing most parents can count on their children eating without a fight. Make it even more tasty for them by changing up the temperature. Try grilling halved peaches or sliced pineapple. The heat caramelizes the fruit making it a real treat for your kids.
ii.) Fruit Sushi
Turn your children’s favorite fruit into a fun dessert by making fruit sushi! Dip thick-cut banana slices in vegan chocolate or roll them in peanut butter and then roll them in granola. Serve the slices with chopsticks to really delight your little ones.
iii.) Homemade Fruit-Sicles
Keeping the kids happy throughout the summertime requires plenty of popsicles. Have your little ones help you make fresh fruit-sicles using their favorite flavors. Use a blender to blend together fresh fruits and coconut water. Pour the mixture into a popsicle mold, freeze, and just wait for the delighted look on your child’s face when they try these!
4. Where to Buy
Wildly Tasty provides kid-friendly vegan meals that are not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients for growing children. Their meals are designed to appeal to even the pickiest eaters while ensuring they get a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein.
5. Conclusion
Transitioning to a plant-based diet can be a rewarding and healthy choice for the whole family, especially for kids. By incorporating these kid-friendly vegan meals into your routine, you can make plant-based eating enjoyable and exciting for your little ones. With colorful, flavorful, and nutritious options for every meal of the day, even the pickiest eaters will be eager to dive into their veggies. So, gather your ingredients and start cooking; your kids will thank you for it!
Discover more healthy diet options by clicking here.