I have been making fruit smoothies for my kids every morning for the last few weeks. Now I'd like to start adding veggies just so they can get an extra serving during the day. I am not trying to hide the veggies just give them a different way to eat them. I am going to steam, mash and freeze different veggies and them use them in the smoothies just like ice cubes. I have 1 oz. baby food freezer containers that I plan on using. So my question is, how many ounce do you think is in 1 serving of mashed veggies? I have 3 boys and I make one big batch of smoothie in the morning and if I could include at least 1 serving of veggie each that would be great. If not a full serving because of the taste, anything I suppose is better than nothing.
Thank you
On my USDA Sponsored Food Program for my home daycare..a serving of fruit or veggie is as follows, depending on age:
1-2 year old is 1/4 cup (2 oz)
3-5 year old is 1/2 cup (4 oz)
6-12 year old is 3/4 cup (6 oz)
Does that help?
Here is a good link to nutritional needs of kids. It simplifies the serving sizes etc... when you click, it will take you to 2-3yrs, but you can change it at the bottom for younger or older kids. Have fun making smoothies! We love them around here too :)
http://www.kids-nutrition-simplified.com/food-pyramid-for...
UPDATE* it won't take the whole link, sorry. The site is kids-nutrition-simplfied.com (I hope you find it! and look for the food pyramid)
Per babies, a 'serving' is in terms of teaspoons or tablespoons.
Not jars.
A good veggie smoothie is:
carrot juice
orange juice
apples
Or, Google Search "Jamba Juice Smoothie Recipes."
You can then make it or customize the recipes for your taste.
From my baby food making days, the ice cube trays would be one ounce for each cube. Hope this helps.
Be glad they eat the smoothies. Add brewers yeast or spirulina to it. Veggies will just spoil the taste.
I have eaten an organic diet for almost my entire life. It has blessed me with good health.
Serve several vegetables together in a medley every day.
Congratulations for switching your kids over to good food.
