Offering kid-friendly dips alongside fruits, veggies, and new foods gives kids the creativity and want to take a bite or two!
Kids love to dip. Whether it’s because they can make a big mess on their plate or that there’s some element of fun that comes along with the eating process, I find that Joey is more willing to try fruits, veggies, and new foods if I serve them alongside a dip. Notice I said try, not devour. Which is OK. As long as I keep exposing him to these healthy foods and giving him the option as to whether or not he wants to eat them, we are working together to create a healthy mealtime environment. And my hope is that presented with a dip or not, he’ll be more likely to choose healthy foods throughout his lifetime.
So here are 5 kid-friendly dips + foods to pair them with, Joey approved, that have given him that extra [and not so obvious] “push” to eat more fruits and veggies, and confidence to try new foods:
1. Greek Yogurt Dip. Joey eats yogurt as a snack or for breakfast, so it was only a matter of time before I realized Greek yogurt serves as a great dip for getting Joey interested in fruits and veggies.
Joey’s Favorite: Honey Almond Greek Yogurt Dip
Serve with: apple slices, strawberries, pear slices, grapes.
2. BBQ Sauce. He get it from his Daddy! No really, most of the Serbinski men LOVE BBQ sauce.
Joey’s Favorite: While I have a homemade recipe for BBQ sauce on the blog, I’d be lying if I didn’t share that Joey’s favorite brand is Sweet Baby Ray’s and Trader Joe’s Kansas City BBQ sauce.
Serve with: Chicken nuggets, cucumber slices [don’t ask], roasted vegetables, meatballs.
3. Hummus. Hummus was one of Joey and Anthony’s first foods, and no matter what I serve it with, they’ll be sure to lick off the last bit of hummus before wasting a drop!
Joey’s Favorite: Sabra hummus [classic]. Mom’s favorite: Antipasto Hummus Dip.
Serve with: Any sliced raw veggie, cherry tomatoes, whole wheat crackers, chicken nuggets, flatbread.
4. Ranch. Yep. I fully support RANCH as a catalyst for getting kids to eat the good-for-you stuff. While there are multiple homemade ranch dips out there on the Internet to try, Joey is a purist. And likes Hidden Valley Ranch.
Joey’s Favorite: Hidden Valley Ranch.
Serve with: Any sliced raw veggie, chicken nuggets, veggie patties.
5. Marinara Sauce. My baby is a little Italian Stallion! Like Momma, he could bathe in good old Sunday Gravy. If he asks for it, I happily serve!
Joey’s Favorite: Mom’s Sunday Gravy.
Serve with: Grilled cheese or grilled Panini’s, pasta, meatballs, chicken nuggets, roasted veggies, squash rounds.
There’s ketchup too— and few others I’m sure I missed. If your kids are into dipping, what dip makes them go back for seconds?!
I love dips and they totally do help improve intake of all foods! My girls have actually been eating salad lately, which is amazing to me since i didn’t eat salad until college. The main impetus? The “sauce” that goes on it, lol!