Christmas Treats for Healthy Teeth

Do you love baking holiday treats with your little ones but worry about the level of sugar? I know I do. As a mom, but also a dietitian, it has become a passion of mine to carry out holiday traditions but with a healthier twist. If you are interested in the same, here are three fun recipes that you can try with your children and then enjoy knowing they are nourishing and tasty at the same time!

Apple Christmas Tree

What you need (per tree):

1 Granny Smith Apple, ¼ cup Pomegranate Seeds, 2 Tbsp. Peanut butter or Almond butter, and ½ cup Shredded Coconut

Here is how you make it:

1. Slice the apple into quarters and remove the core portion from each quarter.
2. Then slice the apple about ¼” thick slices and place on plate as shown in the photo below.
3. Add pomegranate seeds or any other small fruit pieces you enjoy for “decorations”.
4. Place about 2 Tbsp. of your favourite nut butter at the base of the apple slices as the “tree trunk”. This will be your apple dip.
5. Sprinkle shredded coconut along the bottom of your platter or plate as “snow”.

Reindeer Pudding

What you need:

1 cup Steel Cut Oats

¼ cup wheat germ

1 cup coconut milk (or milk of your choice)

1 cup shredded carrots

1/3 cup hemp hearts

8 dates

¼ cup honey

¼ cup coconut oil

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

1 Tbsp. vanilla

1 banana

Here is how you make it:

1. Place all ingredients in a Vitamix/Blendec/Ninja or equivalent type of blender that can blend dates. Note:If you do not have this type of blender then mix all ingredients together in a standard blender and chop dates to add at the end.  
2. Blend on low at first and increase to medium/medium-high until all ingredients are blended together.
3. Pour pudding into a baking dish and bake at 350 F for about 45 minutes or until all is warmed through and top is slightly browned. Serve in small or large bowls with a little yogurt and fruit on top.

You can have fun chatting with your children about why reindeer love carrots and maybe even leave a bowl of this under the tree for the reindeer on Christmas eve!

Veggie Wreath

This one is a great way to get children involved in making a veggie platter that they can serve to their friends at a play date or as part of Christmas dinner appetizers. When children are involved in veggie prep, they are always more interested in eating those veggies too!

What you need:

1 cucumber, 3 baby tomatoes, dip of your choice (optional)

Here is how you make it:

1. Slice cucumber and place on plate in a circle slightly overlapping (see photo below) to make “a wreath”.
2. Cut baby tomatoes in half and place as “decorations” on your wreath.
3. You can leave it as that or add a red pepper hummus and/or guacamole as festive dips.

I hope that these give you a few fun and healthy ideas to enjoy with your children this holiday season. For more recipes, gift ideas, and healthy treat ideas for you and your children, you can find me @motherhoodandmeals on Instagram.

All the best for 2018!