Birthday Party Food Ideas to Please Kids and Adults

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When it comes to throwing a birthday party for your kids, you may be keen to change
it up a bit this year when it comes to the food selection. Sure pizza is easy. So are hot
dogs and hamburgers. Throw in some chips, soda, and a cake and you’re good to go,
right? But kids and parents alike can get bored with the same old stuff. And if you’ve
followed current events at all, you may be aware that childhood obesity is a major issue
at the moment, reportedly affecting one in three children in this country. So filling your
kids and their friends with sugars and fats simply may not be part of your agenda moving
forward. And any parents that join you in the festivities will no doubt appreciate having
healthy options on hand. So here are just a few party food ideas that are sure to please
everyone.

Let’s start with the notion of a main dish. Unless you want kids spreading germs and
racking up the calorie count as they graze through a spread of artificial foods like chips
and candy, you should probably limit them to eating at certain times during the party
rather than having tons of food sitting out for the duration. Of course, you could set out
plenty of fruits and veggies without worry since these items provide for a healthy snack
regardless of how much kids ingest. At the very least it’s better than cookies or candy if
you want to provide snacks for the kids. But when it comes to the entrée you’ll probably
want something that is equal parts delicious and nutritious. So what can you offer that is
healthy, easy, and appealing to both kids and adults?

For one thing, you could make pizza or burgers. Wait…what? Didn’t we just agree
that these foods are on the naughty list? Like everything in life, it’s all in the inception.
Yes, a greasy, cheesy, order-in pizza is probably not the wisest choice, and high-fat
hamburgers on bleached-flour, sugar-laden buns will probably leave kids bloated and
lethargic. But with a DIY attitude and a few simple changes you can make the foods
kids love in a much healthier way.

For example, consider making your own whole-wheat dough, pureeing a slew of
veggies to mix into the tomato sauce, and sprinkling low-fat (part-skim) cheese on
your homemade pizzas (no need for pizza delivery Florida to California when you can
make your own). With a variety of healthy toppings to add, every kid (and parent) can
customize a few slices. As for burgers, try lean ground turkey, whole-wheat buns, and
unconventional toppings like shredded carrots (kids will love the crunch!). And when
it comes to drinks, skip the sugary sodas. Instead, provide all-natural juices (with no
added sugar) and water; you might be surprised how many kids reach for the latter.

Finally, it’s time to consider dessert, and here you can provide healthy alternatives
as well. Suppose you’re making a simple mix from a box. Consider replacing the oil
with applesauce. Your cake will come out moist and delicious with less fat content. As
for frosting, skip the major sugar infusion of traditional recipes and opt for homemade,
low-fat whipped cream topped with a selection of fresh berries. You’ll find that kids will
eat pretty much whatever your give them, regardless of the sugar and fat content. So
make healthier choices when it comes to the birthday party and you’ll please kids and
parents alike.