St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration, fun and – of course – green. While the day known for parades, shamrocks and leprechauns, it’s also an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen with little ones. According to WalletHub, 31% of Americans plan to make a festive meal for dinner on St. Patrick’s Day.
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day as a family is a great way to break the routine and make the day-to-day exciting. Creating colorful, creative snacks is good way to foster a love for healthy eating while making memories.
St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have to be about the traditional foods—like heavy corned beef or potatoes. Here are two easy-to-make, nutritious ideas:
Whole Grain Rainbow Waffles
These are both visually on-theme with St. Patrick’s Day and packed with nutrients, making them a perfect breakfast or snack for the day.
Whole wheat waffles provide fiber, helping to support digestive health, while the fruits’ natural coloring adds an antioxidant and vitamin C punch. This colorful, fun dish contributes to kids feeling energized throughout the day with healthy, wholesome ingredients.
Toast the whole wheat waffles and make a rainbow out of blueberries, diced strawberries, pineapple and kiwi. Add a little dollop of whipped cream to represent clouds at each side of the rainbow.
Shamrock Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
These refreshing, bite-sized sandwiches are a perfect addition to the St. Patrick’s Day spread. They are easy to prepare and offer some nutrients. Simply toast the bread and spread hummus or light cream cheese. Then, using a knife or heart shaped cookie cutters, cut hearts out of cucumber slices and place in a shamrock shape with a half-moon as the stem.
Cucumbers are an excellent source of hydration and provide a small dose of essential nutrients like Vitamin K and potassium. Whole grain bread adds fiber, which is important for gut health and keeping kids full longer. Hummus offers a protein-packed, plant-based spread that complements the fresh cucumbers.
Shanthi Appelö is a registered dietitian and health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan based in Detroit. Passionate about the science of nutrition and behavior, Shanthi has experience working in clinical nutrition, public health and teaching in the university setting. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors, working on art and spending time with family. For more recipes and health information, visit ahealthiermichigan.org.
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