More fun in the kitchen with Children
Anything can happen
Start by making a list of foods you want them to eat and foods they want to eat. Classify by category (protein,fruits, vegetables, grains). Mix and match. Limit multiple starches.
Pick 3 vegetables for each meal, let them choose portion size. Have at least one veggie they like. If you know that they love burgers vary burgers: veggie burger, bean and sprout burger, chicken burger, and red meat burger. They will get a protein they like. Skip the buns. Use whole grain bread, tortillas (whole grain) or pita bread. Or simply skip the bread. Add some brown rice or quinoa.
REad below For more ideas. Also frequently have small bowls fo soups. You can add 3-4 veggies in a soup creating a quick way for children to get theri veggies quick.
On a burger night be sure to add veggie topping and use a fruit for dessert.
When it comes to cooking for little ones, however man, woman, and child cannot live on macaroni and cheese alone. It’s been tried and tested and failed miserably. Try mixing things up whenever you can while keeping meals kid friendly. It is important that you try to introduce whole grains, proteins, and vegetables whenever possible at meal times around your home. The good news is that there are many prepackaged convenience foods that are introducing whole grains like never before in order to meet the growing demand of consumers for healthier meals that can be prepared with little fan fare or fuss.
Cooking healthier meals for kids is now easier than ever before. Fresh fruits and vegetables are best whenever possible. However, if you cannot manage fresh, you should avoid canned (fruits especially as they are often swimming in sugary sweetness) whenever possible. Frozen is far preferable to canned when it comes to both fruit and vegetables, as there are often fewer additives. (Progresso soups and some health store soups are an exception: however watch the ingredients for extra salt or sweeteners.)
If you need some great meal ideas that are kid friendly and easy on the budget, you can often find recipes readily available online. You can meet your child’s calcium and dairy product needs by adding milk as the drink of choice for meals or a slice of cheese melted over their favorite vegetable. Ice cream, yogurt, and pudding also make excellent calcium rich treats, in moderation of course.
Encourage your children to try new things rather than cooking the same few meals over and over again that you know they are likely to eat. This prevents two things from happening. First of all, it helps you not to get bored when cooking for your children. Second, it allows your children to try new flavors and textures and form opinions about them. By trying new things they will learn not only about the things they dislike but also the foods they really enjoy
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