13 Healthy Recipes You AND Your Kids Will Actually Love

Because all we want is our children to get through dinner without a vegetable-induced meltdown.

Thinkstock

Thinkstock

1. Bell Pepper Bites

With a little bit of crunch and a whole lot of flavor, this super-easy vegetarian snack is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Cook time: 20 minutes

Calories: 39

Serves: 8 people

Get the recipe 👉 here.

2. Sweet Potato Nachos

Who said game day has to be unhealthy? Your Sundays just got a little bit sweeter, and you don't even have to feel guilty about it.

Cook time: 20 minutes

Calories: 209

Serves: 6 people

Get the recipe 👉 here.

3. Green Bean Casserole

It's your favorite side without all the bad stuff! Nobody will even be able to tell the difference between the classic dish and this heart-healthy version.

Cook time: 30 minutes

Calories: 77

Serves: 8 people

Get the recipe 👉 here.

4. Creamy Spinach Feta Dip

All you've gotta do is mix the ingredients and refrigerate. So easy!

Cook time: 1 hour

Calories: 63.6

Serves: 6 people

Get the recipe 👉 here.

Thinkstock

5. Baked Cheesy Pita

Your old-fashioned grilled cheese has some serious competition. This pita bread version has double the veggies and almost half the calories.

Cook time: 10 minutes

Calories: 223

Serves: 4 people

Get the recipe 👉 here.

6. Chicken Strips and Green Beans

It's hard to resist a crispy chicken finger, especially when they're healthier than fast-food alternatives!

Cook time: 30 minutes

Calories: 253

Serves: 4 people

Get the recipe 👉 here.

7. PB&J Spirals

Your sandwich just got a makeover. This is high in fiber and low in fat, making it the perfect lunch.

Cook time: 5 minutes

Calories: 253

Serves: 1 person

Get the full recipe 👉 here.

Thinkstock

8. BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Savory and sweet?! What's not to love? Get the kids involved by having them shred the chicken and assemble the sandwiches after the pork cools.

Cook time: 45 minutes

Calories: 445

Serves: 6 people

Get the full recipe 👉 here.

9. Chicken Fajitas

Get your Tex-Mex fix without compromising on flavor! Serve 'em up hot with black beans and Spanish rice.

Cook time: 20 minutes

Calories: 439

Serves: 4 people

Get the full recipe 👉 here.

10. Margherita Pizza With Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

It's just as tasty as the dollar slice down the street, but you get the satisfaction of knowing you made it with heart-healthy ingredients.

Cook time: 1.5 hours

Calories: 170

Serves: 8 people

Get the full recipe 👉 here.

Thinkstock

11. Grape Granita

Freeze up some grapes and blend them together for this icy treat that parents and kids will enjoy.

Cook time: 5 minutes

Calories: 135

Serves: 2 people

Get the full recipe 👉 here.

12. Melon "Cookies"

OK, this one is kind of a trick, but that doesn't mean they aren't delicious. Let your kid's imagination run wild with different "cookie" shapes and whipped topping decorations.

Cook time: 15 minutes

Calories: 22

Serves: 6 people

Get the full recipe 👉 here.

13. Apple Bread Pudding

By using some simple substitutions (like whole grain bread) this dessert is actually pretty good for you! Partner it with a cold glass of low-fat milk.

Cook time: 1 hour

Calories: 131

Serves: 4 people

Get the full recipe 👉 here.

All recipe images courtesy of the American Heart Association

Can’t get enough? Not to worry — you can scroll through boards full of mom hacks and pages of heart-healthy recipes from the American Heart Association here.