Cheney USD 268

Reviewed by Taylor Wolfram, MS, RDN, LDN

Published April 8, 2019

Spring is a great time to hit the reset button and reintroduce some fresh foods into your kids' days after a long winter. Get into the swing of spring produce with these four seasonal favorites. 

Spinach

Spinach is packed with vitamins A and C, which are essential for eye health, immune function and many other body processes. It also contains vitamin K which helps build strong bones. Spinach delivers folate and iron, which help prevent anemia. And its magnesium and potassium are important for muscle development and growth.

If your kids are on board with green stuff, serve spinach salads or serve it sautéed with meat, fish and tofu. For kids who don't like veggies, the mild flavor of spinach is easily masked. Just puree and mix it into sauces, smoothies, soups and meatballs.Your family will love this recipe for Creamy Parmesan Spinach Squares!

soups and sauces or shred raw beets as a crunchy topping for salads, tacos and more. Make a beautiful dip your kids will love by pureeing cooked beets into hummus!

fresh strawberries are a seasonal superstar. Just one cup provides more than a day's worth of vitamin C, plus a hearty dose of manganese, which is important for bone development. A serving of strawberries also packs three grams of fiber.

Try them alone, in a fruit salad, in a green salad, over cereal, with yogurt or even blend frozen strawberries in a smoothie for a thicker consistency. And don't toss those strawberry tops that you cut off! Add them to still or sparkling water for a refreshing, fruity thirst-quencher.

roasted in a little olive oil, salt and pepper. Serve as a side with dinner or cut into pieces to add to pasta, stir-fries, salads and more.

Remember to include kids in grocery shopping and food preparation. This helps them learn about a variety of foods and cooking techniques, which makes it more likely they will enjoy a variety of foods.

Reviewed March 2019

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at eatright.org.

Be sure and follow us on our Facebook page @USD268nutrition this month for pictures of our meal trays, special events, as well as nutrition and wellness tips.

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