12 Super-Healthy Recipes Even Michelle Obama Would Approve Of
School lunches and office cafeterias might not serve the healthiest of dishes, but here are 12 recipes even our First Lady would vote for:
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White House Fruit and Oat Granola Bars
No, we can't verify that health advocate and First Lady, Michelle Obama, put a presidential seal of approval on this snack, but we're pretty confident she'd serve it to her girls. These fruit-packed and fiber-laden granola bars are great for kids. Plus, the White House executive pastry chef inspired this recipe. Make White House Fruit and Oat Granola Bars »
Eggplant and Goat Cheese Bake
Health-conscious eaters usually try to avoid sweet, heavy sauces. Luckily, this bake escapes both the sugar and the heat of the stove - perfect for early warm days of September. And with such colorful herbs and veggies, kids won't even notice the eggplant they may otherwise have shoved away. Make Eggplant and Goat Cheese Bake »
Thai Pork and Mango Salad with Mango Mint Dressing
Your kid's sweet tooth will be delighted with this tangy-sweet salad with generous portions of mango chunks and mango dressing. The recipe, which calls for the leanest cut of pork, will also provide a great dose of iron without all the fat. It's got our vote! Make Thai Pork and Mango Salad with Mango Mint Dressing »
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Low-Fat Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Everyone deserves a small indulgence now and then. With only a quarter-cup of butter, this gooey-good recipe is as guiltless as chocolate desserts get. If your kids have been good with their greens, treat them with the most harmless cookies you'll find. (We're sure even Malia and Sasha get treated to cookies every now and then.) Make Low-Fat Double Chocolate Chip Cookies »
Chicken Soup with Quinoa
In the fluctuating weather between summer and fall, kids are particularly susceptible to colds. On not-so-healthy days, chicken soup with quinoa is a gluten-free alternative to the noodle remedy that always makes everyone feel better. Make Chicken Soup with Quinoa »
Marinated Chicken and Grape Skewers with Garden Lentil Pilaf
Kids will love the complex textures in this protein-laden dish. Soft, plump grapes add a surprising sweetness to savory chicken, while lentil pilaf adds a chewy element. (It very well could be on the White House dinner menu.) Make Marinated Chicken and Grape Skewers with Garden Lentil Pilaf »
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Blackberry Popsicles
Until the sun gives way to snow, kids will crave frozen treats. Homemade popsicles made with fresh blackberries add a burst of flavor and antioxidants, so your darlings will only ingest the healthiest of sugars. Make Blackberry Popsicles »
Sassy Sweet Potato Fries
If your kids (or you) can't stop hankering for fries, switch out regular potatoes with sweet potatoes and swap the deep fryer with an oven. These sweet potato fries are so savory, especially with mesquite mayo, your family will forget the unhealthy grease sticks in no time. Make Sassy Sweet Potato Fries »
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan Herbs
For kids who are wary of soft, mushy dishes, these bread crumb-filled baked tomatoes pack crunchy texture that everyone will enjoy munching. And with the parsley and Parmesan, this dish is also a smart way for kids to get a good dose of Vitamins A, C and E and some serious potassium. Make Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan Herbs »
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Roasted Beet Hummus
Regular hummus is filled with protein and fiber, but if you add beets, you've got a cheerful splash of color and a dose of heart-healthy potassium to boot. Make Roasted Beet Hummus »
Marinated Asparagus with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette
Michelle Obama stresses that veggies are an essential part of any diet, but they're usually the last things a kid wants to eat. This calcium-rich asparagus dish is not only tasty, it's spiked with cancer-fighting ginger and garlic, and your kids will grow strong, healthy bones with every bite. Make Marinated Asparagus with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette »
Grape Jiggle Cups
Eating healthy should be fun for kids so they embrace good eating habits from an early age. Enter sugar-free gelatin - every dieter's secret weapon. They jiggle, they wiggle and with 100% real fruit juice and real grapes, these cups are a naturally sweet and fantastically fun way to avoid eating empty calories. Make Grape Jiggle Cups »
See 8 more healthy recipes likely to get Michelle Obama's stamp of approval. Then tell us, what's your favorite easy healthy meal?
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