(HealthDay News) -- There are plenty of ways to encourage kids to eat more fruits and vegetables, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says.
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Create smoothies with fat-free or low-fat yogurt with fruit pieces and crushed ice. Use fresh, frozen, canned or even overripe fruit, such as bananas, berries, peaches or pineapple.
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Let your kids dip fruit and vegetables in a dip.
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Make fun kabobs resembling caterpillars by assembling chunks of melon, apple, orange and pear on skewers. For a raw veggie version, use zucchini, cucumber, squash, sweet peppers or tomatoes.
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Make personal pizzas with whole-wheat English muffins, bagels or pita bread as the crust. Add tomato sauce, low-fat cheese and cut-up vegetables or fruit for toppings.
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Assemble a fruity peanut butterfly by using carrot sticks or celery for the body and attaching wings made of thinly sliced apples with peanut butter. Decorate with halved grapes or dried fruit.
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Freeze fruits for a fun and refreshing treat during summer.
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Make "bugs on a log" by using celery, cucumber or carrot sticks as the log, and add peanut butter. Then top with dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries or cherries.
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Make homemade trail mix with dried apples, pineapple, cherries, apricots or raisins.
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Make a potato person by decorating half a baked potato. Use vegetables such as sliced cherry tomatoes or peas, and low-fat cheese to make a fun face.
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Ask your child to name new veggie or fruit creation. Let the child arrange raw veggies or fruit into a fun shape or design.