Kids & Company Blog

Exploring Diversity Through Smoothies: A Flavorful Journey for Children

Finding creative ways to introduce new flavors and foods to children can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. A fun and tasty way to expand your child's palate is through the colorful and nutritious world of smoothies.

Smoothies can be a perfect way to introduce children to a wide range of flavors, colors, and ingredients - from different cultures and countries. Not only are they delicious, but they also provide a great opportunity to teach children about diversity and the wonderful variety of fruits, vegetables, and even spices enjoyed around the world. Smoothies are easy and fun to make – allowing plenty of room for your child’s creativity as they explore a number of combinations. They can be customized to suit diverse taste preferences and dietary needs, making them a great option for picky eaters and children with allergies. Instead of cow’s milk, try making smoothies with soy milk or coconut milk! They're also a great snack to purchase when traveling, as it may take some time for your child to get used to different cultural foods (depending on your destination), and smoothies can bring a sense of familiarity for them.

At Kids & Company, we serve a variety of smoothies to our children weekly from our Kidco Kitchen. Our smoothies contain no additives, preservatives, artificial flavors or colors. Below are some of our top picks for you to try at home and to encourage you and your child to embark on a delicious journey this summer. Sip, sip, hooray!

Berry Blends: A Colorful Adventure!

The best thing about berry based smoothies are that you can add as much or as little of any type of berry to your smoothie, and it will still be magically delicious every time! It’s such a great opportunity to empower your child by allowing them to make their own berrylicious choices before hitting that blend button! Try comparing the different colors when you add different portions of various berries - the various shades of pink, blue, and purple are sure to please!

Recipe: Berry Blast Smoothie

SERVES: 6 portions

RECIPE TIME: 5 - 10 Minutes

What you need:

• 1/2 Cup Blueberries
• 1/2 Cup Strawberries
• 2 Cup Milk
• 1 Cup Vanilla Yogurt

What to do:

1. Make sure to wash your hands before you begin.
2. Add berries, milk and yogurt to blender.
3. Blend until smooth.

Globe in a Cup: Smoothies Around the World!

Did you know that lassis, originating in India, were traditionally used to aid in digestion and soothe the palate? Lassis are traditionally elevated with aromatic spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and saffron for a deeper, more complex flavor profile. This delicious drink inspired us to come up with our own version, blended with sweet mangoes and cinnamon. Feel free to try your own spice and fruit combinations for the perfect customized summer concoction! 

Recipe: Mango Lassi 

SERVES: 6 portions

RECIPE TIME: 10 Minutes

What you need:

• 1 Cup Mango
• 1 Pinch Cinnamon
• 2 Cup Milk
• 1 Cup Vanilla Yogurt

What to do:

1. Make sure to wash your hands before you begin.
2. Add mangoes, cinnamon, milk, and yogurt to blender.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Serve in a bowl with granola or muesli to top!

Smoothie Espi-nach: The best way to get some greens in!

We mentioned earlier that smoothies can essentially be a color journey for your child with its vibrant colors. To make your smoothie even more colorful like a rainbow, try having each color in the rainbow represent a different fruit (or vegetable!), blend it all together and give your child a visual and tasty experience of diversity (it’s almost like a science experiment!). Smoothies are a great way to incorporate some extra servings of fruits and vegetables, making them perfect for picky eaters. By blending vegetables with seasonal fruits, you can create delicious and nutritious smoothies that children will love.

Recipe: Green Genie Smoothie

SERVES: 6 portions

What you need:

• 1 Cup Frozen Mango
• 1/2 Cup Baby Spinach 
• 2 Cup Milk
• 1 Cup Vanilla Yogurt

What to do:

1. Make sure to wash your hands before you begin.
2. Add mango, spinach, milk, and yogurt to blender.
3. Blend until smooth.

 

Learning About Diversity

Smoothies are not just delicious, they're also a wonderful tool for discussions about diversity and inclusion. Here are some conversation starters with your child while sipping away:

1. Cultural Stories: Share some fun facts about where the ingredients used originated from, and how you also use them in other recipes at home.
2. Geography Lessons: Show your child where the ingredients you used come from on a map, helping them understand just how many global foods they consume at home.
3. Language Skills: Teach them the names of the ingredients in different languages. For example, "berry" is "baya" in Spanish and "baie" in French.

Smoothies are more than just a tasty treat—they're a gateway to a world of flavors and countries. By exploring different flavors, ingredients, and cultures, children can develop a greater appreciation for the world around them. This summer, we encourage you and your family to try a new smoothie recipe each week, incorporating seasonal and locally available ingredients. Engage the whole family in choosing ingredients, blending, and tasting. Your family will be able to take a journey around the world without even leaving your kitchen! Cheers from our Kidco Kitchen to yours – happy blending!

 

About Kidco Kitchen

Kids & Company provides healthy and nutritious meals and snacks to the children at the majority of our locations, prepared by our very own Kidco Kitchen. The Kidco Kitchen is founded on a fresh, from-scratch philosophy, building children with healthy bodies and minds. Our menus are created by Chef Lisa, cooked by Chefs and approved by children! 

Kids & Company is growing in the United States! Looking for child care and education? Inquire here.

Posted on: Monday June 17th, 2024

Posted by: Kids & Company