|
I've never met a toddler who didn't like french fries. The first time my son tried one, I thought he might fall out of his high chair with excitement over the new culinary wonder he'd just experienced. I started to notice that whenever we were eating in a restaurant, my son would gaze past his own plate to look longingly at whomever had fries, hoping to be given a scrap. I knew we had to find an alternative to fatty, greasy fries.
HEALTHIER POTATOES
The good thing about these alternatives is that you can use any kind of potato you like, from russet to baking potatoes, sweet potatoes to Yukon golds. Growing up, one of my favorite side dishes was my mom's oven-baked fries. They are super easy to make and extra delicious. I guarantee they will pass the toddler taste test almost every time.
OVEN FRIES
- approximately 1 potato per person being served (for my family of 3, I do 3-4 potatoes, depending on their size)
- Olive oil or non-stick cooking spray
- Seasonings of your choice (sea salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder and chili powder are my family's favorites)
Preparation: Heat oven to 375 degrees. Wash potatoes well and slice into strips that are about 1/2 inch thick. Brush pan with olive oil or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange potatoes on pan and brush with olive oil or spray with cooking spray. Sprinkle with seasonings and bake 10 minutes. Remove pan from oven and flip potatoes to other side. Brush with oil or spray once more and sprinkle with seasonings. Bake 10 minutes more or until tender. Remove from oven and cool for five minutes before serving. Enjoy with the dipping sauce of your choice.
NON-POTATO ALTERNATIVES
A lot of restaurants are now offering things like "apple fries" as an alternative to French fries. For some kids, it's the shape of the fries that is appealing, for others, it's their dip-ability. If oven fries don't float your toddler's boat, try serving them some cool, crips carrot sticks with low-fat dressing or celery sticks with a little cream cheese spread into the center. Use this opportunity to expand their palates by offering colorful strips of bell peppers or make some zucchini fries using the recipe above.
INDULGE EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE
I certainly do not eat 3 perfectly balanced meals every single day and I'm sure most parents don't either. Once a week or so, I indulge in some fries or a milkshake. We can certainly allow our kids to eat fries sometimes, but we should also teach them moderation. Helping them learn to make healthy eating choices will definitely benefit them in the long-run.
Jen Lane is the Feeding Toddlers editor here on Foodie Mama. Learn more about her adventures in parenthood at her blog Hey, Y'all, home of Comfort Food Saturday.
|
