Healthy Baking for Kids

As of 2011, one in three American children are overweight, according to Healthy Children. Teaching your children how to cook and bake healthier meals and goodies can help reverse this. The Colorado State University Extension suggests that attractive food presentation, flavor and color, variety and children's participation in meal preparation are key in successfully coaxing your little one's palette to appreciate foods, including baked goods, with healthier content.

Substituting Ingredients

• Teach your kids to bake traditional baked goods with healthier ingredients. Instead of white flour, have your children use whole wheat flour, which provides them with whole grains and has a soft texture especially good for cakes and muffins. Cut the amount of butter in a recipe by half, and replace it with pureed prune or applesauce. If a recipe calls for milk or heavy cream, use the fat-free or low-fat alternative. Reduce sugar by cutting it with one-half part nutmeg, vanilla or cinnamon. Let your children experiment with types of ingredients and ratios until they get a recipe they like. For more substitutes, consult your favorite cooking website or sites like Healthy Baking, Cooking Light or Joy of Baking.

Providing Resources and Recipes

• You may not have to convince your little ones that baking is fun, but it's important to get them excited about baking in a healthy way. You can do this by attending local family and children's cooking and nutrition events in your area. Check your local newspaper or family magazine for events. Often times, health food stores host demonstrations or baking activities for kids. Also look for online resources and inspiration. Sites like Family Fun and Very Best Baking have kids baking sections.

Baking for Special Dietary Needs

• Factors like diabetes, lactose intolerance, celiac disease and the decision to become a vegetarian all require modified baking recipes. Encourage your child by looking for appropriate recipes tested for taste and nutrition. Kids Health offers a handful recipes for children with the above dietary needs. You can also search sites like Epicurious and All Recipes for gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free and vegetarian recipes. Make it fun by pointing out that your child gets a special recipe that's healthy and fun to make.

Fresh and Local

• Educate your kids on how to bake with fresh, local ingredients. Buying local and organic or farmers' market ingredients is eco-friendly, supports the local economy and you can bake recipes celebrating seasonal ingredients. If a recipe calls for canned fruit, take your kids to the farmer's market to look for the fresh alternative. Teach your kids to ask if a given ingredient -- produce, particularly -- is pesticide free or not. Discuss how to tell if a fruit or veggie is ripe.