Family Meals – Better For Children, Easier For you

Another day, another dinner to prepare. Are you having a difficult time looking for easy to prepare meals which can satisfy your growing family?

You want to give your family the best, but time is in short supply and preparing a healthy meal has become a chore. Too often take out or frozen dinners have to do. Is there a way to combine healthy eating with convenience?

Yes! New methods of cooking and easy to prepare staples can change your eating habits and lead to a better eating style for your family. According to the ‘Kid’s Health’ Program created by the Nemours Foundation, family meals are an essential part of developing healthy habits in your children. Eating as a family will motivate your children to eat healthy food like whole grains and vegetables. It will discourage unhealthy snacking as well as make them not as likely to try smoking, alcohol or marijuana.

But how do you plan healthy family meals on a tight schedule? Here are a few ideas to begin:

Does your family love lasagna? Perhaps you thought that it was a labor intensive dish that just doesn’t match your lifestyle. Cheesy and full of fat, perhaps it’s not even a smart option. Nevertheless, lasagna is actually one of the most versatile meals to prepare – and with instant (no boil) noodles, it doesn’t even need to be a big job.

There are lasagna recipes for vegetarians, low-carb, low-fat as well as diabetic diets. Lasagna noodles now are available in instant, no-cook preparations which reduce time and energy when making this hearty dish.

For lasagna or other pasta dishes, try making use of whole wheat pasta and shredding carrots or zucchini into the meat sauce for an easy way to up the nutritional value. Utilizing lean ground beef or perhaps substituting with ground turkey or chicken can make for a stunning, yet nourishing result. Purchase bottled pasta sauces for even quicker preparation – many grocers carry a wide assortment that will add variety to your dishes.

Looking for an elegant chicken dinner? Don’t forget about frozen skinless chicken breasts. Baked in the oven with a dollop of salsa and shredded cheddar on the top creates a healthy option to frying or heavy sauces.

Need ideas for a side dish? Why are you wasting time cutting and washing lettuce when you can pick up a prepackaged bag at the grocers? Not saying it is the cheapest method, but it certainly aids busy families put nutrition ahead of convenience when planning a meal.

Have you ever tried steaming vegetables in the microwave? Fresh or frozen veggies make for yet another easy side dish when they are popped into the microwave for a couple of minutes. Add a few tablespoons of water and cover with a paper towel, an easy AND healthy option to frying or boiling.

We are all worried about our children eating healthier foods. Regular family meals will encourage children to develop healthy eating habits – an important key to good health later in life. By making meal time less stressful, you can focus on the joys of spending time together instead of the headaches of preparing meals.