Nurturing healthy eating habits in your children from a young age is key. The easiest way? Sneak nutrient-rich Daily Elements into their diet through creative and tasty recipes.

Getting kids to eat their greens can be challenging, but it's important to ensure they meet the recommended daily vegetable intake. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture¹, the daily vegetable intake for kids varies by age:

Toddlers (12-23 months): ⅔ to 1 cup
Children (2-3 years): 1 to ½ cups
Children (4-8 years): 1½ to 2½ cups
Girls (9-13 years): 1½ to 3 cups
Girls (14-18 years): 2½ to 3 cups
Boys (9-13 years): 2 to 3½ cups
Boys (14-18 years): 2½ to 4 cups

Whether you're dealing with picky eaters or simply want to boost your children's nutritional intake, these innovative kid-friendly recipes will make greens fun, flavorful, and practically invisible. Each recipe features one scoop of Daily Elements microgreens powder, which easily incorporates the equivalent of 7 cups of leafy greens — that's even more that the daily recommended amount!

From mouthwatering mac & cheese, to banana oatmeal cookies, these are our favorite ways to help kids get their daily dose of veggies (without the complaints).

Daily Elements Goodles Mac & Cheese

What you’ll need:

1 pack Goodles Vegan is Believin’
1 scoop of Daily Elements
1 ½ scoop vegan butter
⅓ cup plant-based milk

In a medium saucepan, bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add the noodles to the boiling water and cook them for about 9 - 11 minutes or until al dente. Once your noodles are cooked, drain them well using a strainer. Set aside while you prepare the sauce. In a warm pan, melt the butter and add milk. Stir until butter is fully melted and the mixture is well combined. Add the vegan cheddar from the box to the pan and whisk until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the cooked noodles to the pan and stir until they are evenly coated with the cheese sauce. Transfer the noodles and sauce to a serving bowl. Take a scoop of Daily Elements and sprinkle it over the noodles. Mix well until the green color is consistent throughout. Now, sit back and watch your little one get all their veggies for the day in the blink of an eye.

Green Grilled Cheese

What you’ll need:

2 slices of whole grain or sourdough bread
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp cream cheese
1 scoop of Daily Elements
1 slice of cheese of choice

Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place a slice of cheese on one non-buttered side, and spread cream cheese on the other. Sprinkle a scoop of Daily Elements onto the cream cheese. Form a sandwich with buttered sides facing outward. Warm your skillet over medium heat and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Remove the sandwich from the skillet and cut it into triangles. Serve the warm, melty sandwich and watch your kids enjoy their favorite, nutrient-packed treat.

Green Banana Oatmeal Cookies

What you’ll need:

1 mashed banana
2 cups oats
½ cup peanut butter (no sugar added)
½ cup white chocolate chips
1 scoop of Daily Elements

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium mixing bowl, mash banana, add oats and peanut butter, and stir until well combined. Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Take a scoop of the mixture and drop it onto the pan, then flatten it with a spoon. Repeat with the remaining mixture. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until they are lightly browned. In a separate bowl, melt white chocolate chips. Add one scoop of Daily Elements and mix until the white chocolate turns light green. Once the cookies are room temperature, drizzle them with the Daily Elements-infused melted white chocolate. Once the white chocolate has hardened, they're ready to be served on-the-go!

Sources:

1. U.S. Department Of Agriculture

3 Genius Hacks to Sneak Microgreens into Your Kid's Meals

Recipe: Microgreens Chocolate Bar

3 Recipes That Change the Daily Elements Game