The Top 10 Healthiest Foods You Should Have In Your Pantry

These days, eating healthy can be a challenge, especially for kids.

Supermarket shelves are lined with bright-colored packages decorated with cartoon characters to attract children –except what’s inside the “food” is nothing but sugar, preservatives, and sometimes even dangerous ingredients.

But eating healthy is possible if you stock up your kitchen with these 10 food items:

1. Berries: Stock your fridge with all kinds of organic berries! Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries – the options are endless.

Blueberries are known to be one of the highest antioxidant foods in the world and are loaded with nutrients and fiber, which helps keep kids regular.

You can use frozen berries to make a homemade smoothie, add a handful of fresh blueberries to your child’s lunchbox, throw them into a pancake mix, and even use them to make a homemade jam!

2. Eggs: Buying cage-free eggs is a must for every mom. Loaded with protein and nutrients, eggs are a quick and easy breakfast item. Because eggs are loaded with protein, children will feel satisfied longer, which will help curb hunger pains.

Try introducing eggs in different ways to your children – whether scrambled or fried, served with a piece of Ezekiel bread of course!

3. Sweet Potatoes: Cut up some sweet potatoes, and make your very own homemade French fries! Sweet potatoes are also loaded with nutrients such as Vitamin A, which is important in healthy bone growth.

4. Broccoli: While broccoli isn’t known to be a kid’s favorite food, it’s important to start introducing your child to nutritious foods such as broccoli at a young age.

Broccoli is full of Vitamin C and Vitamin K, and one medium stalk provides more than 100 percent of your recommend daily dose.

Try steaming fresh broccoli, or adding it to a homemade casserole. You can even throw it into an omelet during breakfast time.

5. Hummus: Are you struggling to get your child to eat more veggies? Serve fresh veggies with a side of hummus, which has the health benefit of fiber from the beans combined with heart-healthy olive oil!

6. Bananas: A quick and inexpensive snack made for all ages, bananas are a must have and full of nutrients such as potassium and magnesium.

7. Mango: While known to be one of the sweetest fruits, one serving of mango provides an entire day’s worth of Vitamin C, which will keep your child’s immune system strong.

8. Garlic: Try adding fresh garlic to your meals when cooking. While potent, garlic is said to reduce inflammation in the body and should be a healthy staple for every home.

9. Spinach: Popeye was on to something with eating spinach for health! Spinach is full of antioxidants and is said to improve eye health.

You can add spinach to your homemade smoothies, or serve it on the side during dinner.

10. Dark Chocolate: And for a special mom bonus, dark chocolate makes the top 10 cut!

Less than an ounce daily is said to reduce blood pressure, and cocoa powder is rich in antioxidants, so don’t feel guilty indulging in a piece of dark chocolate after a long day!

While advertisers may bombard your child with tv ads promoting their unhealthy “food”, you can fight back with these healthy items.

Make healthy eating fun for your child, and by introducing them to healthy foods at a young age, you are teaching them the importance of fueling their body with real food.

What is the healthiest item in your kitchen pantry?

Have you found a healthy snack your child loves?

Tell us about it in the comments section below!