5 Tips to Up Your Kid-Friendly Food Styling Game From Instagram Sensation, @FoodBites

Cute kiwi turtles courtesy of Foodbites.

With more than 177K followers, Instagram sensation and mother of three @FoodBites knows a thing or two about creating beautiful, kid-friendly food art where fresh food takes the center stage. With back-to-school season in full force, we sat down with Sine, who also runs the FoodBites blog, to find out her secrets for creating healthy snacks that are as whimsical and beautiful as they are satisfying and nourishing.

1. Where did you get the idea of playing with fruit?

A post shared by Foodbites (@foodbites) on Jul 11, 2018 at 2:54am PDT

I actually started my feed as a motivation to eat more healthfully, so my first photos were of smoothies and salads. I think a turning point came for me when I made a fruit platter one day which was unusually well-received. And from fruit platters I slowly got more and more adventurous. I have always loved art, so maybe that’s why playing with fruit has become like my paint and canvas.

2. What are your tips for creating healthy fruit snacks for kids?

A post shared by Foodbites (@foodbites) on Apr 23, 2018 at 7:02am PDT

1. Kids love anything fun and unexpected. It doesn’t have to be too fancy. A simple smiley face made with raisins on a piece of watermelon could do the trick.
2. Try to present fruit in a new way. Cut it in triangles, squares, spheres, sticks, spiralize it, ice cube it, stack it, put it on a skewer, in their drink bottle, etc.
3. Stock up on some cookie cutters, a melon baller and an apple corer (which you make cylinder shapes with). And use them on fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe and mango.
4. Candy eyes can be used to create your own fruit animals or fruit people. (You can even make the eyes yourself using melted white and dark chocolate and a piping bag.)
5. Write their name with fruit.
6. Give your creations fun names.

3. You’re a mom of three. Do your kids help you in the kitchen?

A post shared by Foodbites (@foodbites) on Mar 18, 2018 at 2:28am PDT

My kids are great helpers in the kitchen. Especially when it comes to making pancakes, salads, smoothies or anything involving chocolate.

4. What tips would you give for making healthy fruit snacks with kids?

A post shared by Foodbites (@foodbites) on Dec 8, 2017 at 3:38am PST

Making healthy snacks with kids is an excellent way to get them to want to eat them, too. Based on the fruits and vegetables you have available, maybe suggest a few things to make and then let your kids decide. Kids often have amazing ideas too, so be sure to ask them. Some suggestions for things to make together could be:

1. Traffic light fruit skewers. You can use strawberries, mango and kiwi for example.
2. Banana (cut in discs) & peanut butter sandwiches
3. “Nicecream.” Just blend two to three frozen bananas until it has ice cream consistency. Top with your favourite granola, nut butter and fruits.
4. Watermelon lollies. Cut your watermelon in half, use an apple corer to make cylinder shaped cutouts and then simply insert a lolly stick.
5. Apple “donuts.” Slice the apple into round discs, cut out the center and top with peanut butter, coconut yogurt, homemade nutella, sprinkles, etc.

5. Any tips for fellow foodies wanting to grow their following on Instagram?

1. 1. Instagram generally takes up a lot of time, so finding it fun is vital.
   2. Do be guided by your followers as to the content they like to see on your feed.
   3. Try to stand out by doing something different.
   4. Stick to your own style.
   5. Interact with your peers by commenting on their photos and feature accounts you like.
   6. Go for quality of photos over quantity.