"Dip" Into Healthy Eating at the Campsite
Now that school is out and you are thinking about your summer camping adventure with the family, it's time to create a menu that is not only easy to store, keep and transport, but also fun and healthy for the kids.
Getting kids to eat right at the campsite can be difficult, but there are creative ways to make healthy food enjoyable and interesting for little ones while you are braving the great outdoors. I discovered when my kids were young their love for dipping foods.
Luckily, I also discovered that almost anything can be turned into a dip my kids would actually try - ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, yogurt, barbecue sauce. The choices are almost endless and if your kids are anything like mine, they will love to try them all!
As you begin to plan your menus for the trip, think about those foods that kids are hesitant to try. For me, it was always fruits and veggies! Don't let that dissuade you from trying again - this time by adding a dipping option. Below are some of my favorite recipes for getting kids to eat the good stuff while camping:
SALAD DIPPERS
Ingredients/supplies: bagged salad, toothpicks, paper plate, salad dressing
The kids will think they are having a treat when they get to use their hands to create their own masterpiece salad on a toothpick! Pack the bagged lettuce, it's easy, pre-cut and perfect for little hands. Use whatever bagged salad your kids prefer. Open the bag and let the kids stab all the lettuce they want on to the toothpick. Use a paper plate to squeeze out salad dressing dippers in various flavors. Try to experiment with different choices so that kids can be adventurous with their dipping choices. The rest is easy - let them dip away! It's a salad, but on a stick.
STRAWBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES
Ingredients/supplies: strawberries, chocolate, whipped cream/cool whip, chocolate sauce, yogurt
We know they are delicious on their own, but sometimes kids need a little convincing to get them to try a new fruit. Whether it's breakfast time, lunch or just time for a snack, strawberry dippers can supply the nutrition you need. For breakfast, try dipping in yogurt for the added bonus of calcium and vitamins. For snack or lunch, strawberries can be dipped in whipped cream or cool whip. For a great dessert, try dipping them in chocolate sauce - the squeeze bottle used for chocolate milk is an easy choice for camping and kids can either dip or squirt their strawberries for added fun!
CHICKEN ON A STICK
Ingredients/supplies: chicken, barbecue sauce, ketchup, honey mustard, ranch dressing, wooden sticks, paper plate
Hot dogs and hamburgers are a staple at the campsite but chicken is almost as easy when it's on a stick. You can either pre-pack the chicken already on the sticks and put it in your cooler for the trip or you can do it at the campsite. The important part is to make the pieces bite-sized for little hands and appetites. Once the chicken is grilled, use the paper plates to offer a wide selection of dips for the kids. Most likely they will want to try one or two, but ask them to try them all and you could reward them with a strawberry dipper!
Happy dipping!!!!