“I love blueberries!,” my older daughter exclaimed.“Blueberries are delicious!,” she continued.
That was last summer when my daughters and I were visiting their grandparents and we decided to go blueberry picking.
As a toddler, she used to eat blueberries by the handful and would even come close to finishing off half of a pint.
But as she got older, bananas, mango, watermelon and cantaloupe became her new favorite fruits and getting her to eat one single blueberry was impossible.
Maybe it was the experience of berry picking (likely) or that her Italian grandmother, who can get her to eat just about anything, was there (even more likely).
Whatever it was, I’ll take it because blueberries are one of the best superfoods for kids.
Health Benefits of Blueberries
Not only are blueberries sweet and delicious, but they’re packed with nutrition.
Blueberries are a good source of fiber—1/2 cup has more than 2 grams—as well as vitamins C and K and manganese, an essential nutrient.
Blueberries are also high in antioxidants, including anthocyanin, a flavonoid which gives them their rich hue.
Anthocyanin is also known to support cognitive and motor function, improve visual and neurological health, and prevent disease.
In fact, a February 2019 study in the Journals of Gerontology conducted in adults found eating about a cup of blueberries a day can reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease by 20 percent.
Another reason blueberries are healthy is that they consist of nearly 85 percent water to help satisfy your kid’s hunger and prevent constipation.
Related: 10 Foods That Relieve Kids’ Constipation
Since blueberries contain high levels of pesticide residue however, consider purchasing organic blueberries, fresh or frozen.
Sweet, succulent and delicious in pancakes, muffins, oatmeal, yogurt and desserts, there are also a ton of unique ways to incorporate them into other meals too.
Healthy Blueberry Recipes Your Kids Will Love
Here are 15 healthy blueberry recipes to try.
Breakfast
Blueberry Bliss Breakfast Bars
Magical Blueberry Vanilla Chia Seed Jam
Avocado Blueberry Baby Smoothie
Lunch and Dinner
Cranberry Blueberry Salad With Blueberry Balsamic Dressing
Wild Rice Salad with Corn, Blueberries and Almonds
Blueberry Basil Chopped Veggie Salad
Vegetable Couscous With Wild Blueberries
Desserts and Snacks
