Fresh Fruit alternatives: Funky Monkey and Just Tomatoes etc..

There have been a lot of questions asked about the nutritional quality of freeze dried fruit and dried fruit. When fresh fruits are not in season or available and frozen fruit does fit the need, using dried fruits and can be a good subsitutes. Freeze dried fruit usually does not contain anything but the fruit itself.Because there is no added sugars,colorings,preservations or additives it makes a great fruit chocie. the process used to make the fruit snacks produces a crunchy fruit snack, that kids love.

Funky Monkey snacks are one of my favorite dried fruit snacks. They have a great variety of 100% organic, no added sugar fruit snacks. My son's particular favorite was the pink pineapple and bananmon which is bananas with cinnamom..yum! Their website is awesome as well, with interactive games and printables.. it is defintely kid friendly!

We also love Just tomatoes etc. They not only do they have fruit, but veggies too! the "just peas" and "just corn" are our fav. Our fruit snack favorite is the fruit salad that has Pear, Apple, Peach, Banana, Strawberry and Red Grapes. This company has this great activity book for kids called "Think color as you eat!" The teachers resource section as free printable downloads that can be utilized as teaching tools.
These products are great for toddlers because they are finger foods and dissolve easily in the mouth. Making a toddler trail mix of whole wheat o's, dried fruit pieces and yogurt melts is an easy way to make a pocketbook or diaperbag friendly-take along snack that will keep your little one's tummy happy!

National Nutrition Month Giveaway!!!!

In honor of National Nutrition Month, I will be giving away a box of Kids Snacks and even something yummy for mom! The giveaway box will include one of each of Peter Rabbit Organics 100% pure fruit snacks in Mango-Banana-orange, Strawberry-Banana and Apple-grape, 1 bag of Peeled fruit and nuts snacks, coupons for revolution foods, monkey Bars and Monkey Brains, Chobani yogurt and a sample pack of Sahale glazed nut and KIND bar for mom.

You can enter by signing up as a follower to this blog and responding to this post. Winner will be picked randomly on April 1st and be notified. Good Luck and Happy Nutritional Month!!!

Children of the Revolution!

I was lucky enough to be sent some samples of Revolution foods products. I saw their "Jammy Sammy" boxes at a local children's toy store and e-mailed them after reading on the box about their lunch program mission. The products they offer are 100% organic and range from fruit sauces in easy to eat pouches to yogurt filled sandwich bars. My ( and my Son's) particular favorite is their cocoa graham and banana yogurt sandwich bar. This company not only puts out Delicious kids foods designed to be lunchbox friendly, but their company gives 3% of their net revenue to their school lunch service, which provides healthy foods for lunch in under served schools. I love a company with a passion and drive to start kids on the right path to nutritional health!
Check out their website to read more about their great products and lunch program.

http://products.revfoods.com/

Monkey Brains

With a kooky name and a healthy dose of prebiotics, Monkey Brains are a big hit at our house! Monkey Brains makes instant oatmeal that contains a prebiotic called NutraFlora, derived from natural sugar cane. I am sure you have heard the term "prebiotic" and "probiotic" everywhere. prebiotics are a type of fiber that encourages good bacterial growth in the digestive tract to helps to maintain a healthy immune system. This seriously yummy oatmeal comes in raspberry, blueberry and strawberry flavors and is ALL NATURAL!!! They also make granola bars in stawberry-vanilla, blueberry-vanilla and my son's personal favorite banana,chocolate- peanut butter!!! Who doesn't love that combination!! Visit their site and check out their cool video.

Buy from them online and receive 10% off, Use discount code: Thomas

http://www.monkey-brains.com/

Ahoy! Veggie Booty!

Pirate Brands, Veggie Booty by Roberts American Gourmet snacks, is a kid winner!! This corn puff is covered in green powder which contains kale, spinach and carrots! It taste de-lish. I promise your kiddo will never know its actually veggies that make it green! It contains 0 sugar, no trans or sat fats, 2gm of protein and little iron thrown in there. The whole bag (1oz) is 130 calories, not that calories are a real issue for little ones, but good for mommy as well. If your kid loves cheddar puffs that turn their fingers orange, try these, turing their fingers green may be more fun for them... and way healthier too!

http://www.piratesbooty.com/products/piratesbooty/agedwhitecheddar

WELCOME!!!

Welcome all parents...and lovers of kid's foods. I am a practicing dietitian and have a passion for pediatric nutrition. Through having my own child and counseling other kids ranging all ages, I have researched and tested some new "functional" and organic food designed for kids. From oatmeal to lollipops, my kiddo and I have tasted and deliberated on if the snack/food was "yummy" or "yucky". As I share some featured foods, feel free to contact me with concerns and comments. I hope you all are as excited as I am to hear about yummy foods!

Rebecca