Side Items for Kids' Meals

It's almost mealtime for your child! You've got the main dish prepared but may be stumped for ideas about what to serve as side items. Use side dishes that will round out a well-balanced meal to give him the necessary nutrients for a strong and healthy body. Take ideas from the five major food groups -- fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy and grains -- to make tasty sides for your child.

  1. Salads

    • Salads can provide a child with a fruit or vegetable serving for the day and will be an ideal addition to a primary dish. Serve a fruit salad consisting of your kid's favorite fruit. You can simply cut up strawberries and peaches and blend with yogurt or mix together pieces of seedless watermelon and kiwi with a drizzle of honey. A vegetable salad can be created with a few ingredients. Mix together shredded carrots and zucchini, chopped nuts and olive oil. Slide cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices and other vegetables on a skewer and let your kid try veggies on a stick.

    Soups

    • A hearty bowl of soup will warm a kid up on a chilly or snowy day and will taste great paired with a sandwich. Pair a grilled cheese sandwich with an easy burger soup. Simply add cooked ground hamburger, pasta noodles and vegetables to a warm can of tomato juice and water. Egg drop soup will be a satisfying addition to an Asian cuisine lunch or dinner. Pour two cups of chicken broth in a pot and boil. Whisk the egg in a bowl. Slowly pour the egg into the broth while stirring. Continue to cook until done and serve in a bowl.

    Breads

    • Different types of breads can be an accompanying side item for an assortment of kid's dishes. Your kid will enjoy crunchy garlic bread with his slice of pizza or plate of spaghetti. Spread butter on pieces of french bread and sprinkle garlic powder and Parmesan cheese on top. Place the bread under the broiler for a few minutes until browned. Soft and fluffy corn muffins can be an ideal accompaniment to any meat dish. Stir one package of corn muffin mix, one egg and 1/3 cup of milk together and pour into a tin. Spread with honey and butter.

    Potatoes

    • Potatoes can be transformed into a variety of side dishes and paired with practically any kid's dish. Sweet potato fries will offer a traditional spin on regular french fries to pair with a cheeseburger. Peel and cut sweet potatoes into long strips or wedges. Season with oil and salt and bake in a preheated oven until golden brown. Instead of ketchup, melt butter and cinnamon sugar together for a dipping sauce. Your kids will enjoy customizing their own baked potato with their meal. Simply bake the potatoes in the oven and cool. Set out bowls of sour cream, bacon bits, shredded cheese and other toppings for them to top their potatoes with.

    Vegetables

    • Vegetables may be the dreaded part of the plate for your child but are important for him to eat, as they provide vitamins and minerals for her body. Hidden vegetable recipes will entice a kid who hates eating vegetables. Steam vegetables such as broccoli and zucchini and puree in a blender. When ready, mix the puree in with popular favorites such as macaroni and cheese or ground hamburgers. Consider making cheese broccoli florets as an additional side. Add a small amount of water with broccoli to a microwavable bowl and place plastic wrap on top. Microwave for five minutes. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on the cooked broccoli.

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