Florida grapefruit is a perfect addition to your kids’ diet. Not only is it juicy and delicious, but it’s also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, fibre and potassium, which will help your kids grow healthy and strong. Here are some tips for how to incorporate more grapefruit into their diets:
-
Peel or cut off the pith (the skin) surrounding the sections of a grapefruit, made easier by using a small knife – or a special grapefruit knife or spoon –to easily scoop out the pulp.
-
Use grapefruit to prepare a quick, healthy and delicious breakfast. Stir fresh grapefruit pieces into a bowl of granola and yogurt, include them on waffles or pancakes or with breakfast cereal. Your kids will also enjoy fresh grapefruit juice added to their morning smoothie.
-
Since kids love the medley of tropical flavours and colours from fruit kebobs, thread a couple of wooden sticks with chunks of grapefruit and any combination of their favourite fruits. For a special treat, you can intersperse some fruit with marshmallows or cubed pound cake, or consider making some chocolate or vanilla yogurt dipping sauce.
-
Grapefruit juice frosty pops are another fun treat. In a large bowl, stir together 3 cups of grapefruit juice, 1 can of sweetened condensed milk and ¼ cup of lemon juice. Pour into paper cups, covering each with foil that has a small opening so that a wooden stick can be inserted before it completely freezes.
-
A popular grapefruit recipe your kids will enjoy is broiled brown sugar grapefruit halves. Arrange a halved Florida ruby red grapefruit on a broiler pan and sprinkle with brown sugar. Broil for about 4 minutes, until sugar melts and becomes bubbly. Serve immediately.
-
While grapefruit is part of many savoury salads, don’t stop there; this Florida-inspired fruit salad can be served with their favourite dressing. Combine grapefruit with oranges or tangerines; add honey and fresh lime or lemon juice to taste and some ground cardamom for an even more enticing aroma.
-
Being 75 % juice, grapefruits are naturally suited for different types of drinks. If your child likes a sweeter taste, consider combining grapefruit juice with freshly-squeezed orange juice. Get your kids in on the fun by putting them in charge of the juicer.
-
Grapefruit granitas are easy to make and a great way to refresh and recharge an active child. Boil the juice from 3 grapefruits with ½ cup of sugar until it completely dissolves. Once cooled, transfer to a flat pan with high sides and place it in freezer, using a fork to regularly break up any ice crystals that form over the next four hours. Once the granite is totally frozen, fluff it with a fork and freeze for another half hour to solidify. Serve with a mint leaf garnish.
-
To make smaller servings of grapefruit visually appealing, slice it into wheel shapes, cutting away a small section of rind from each slice.
-
Together with your kids, you can also use grapefruit to decorate a dish, a drink or even a table. Let their imagination soar, and, in the meantime, they will take a bite of their delicious grapefruit creations.