Eating healthy foods can be a challenge for many families with children whose tastes seem to change with the seasons. It's often tempting to run through the fast food line to satisfy each person, but the nutritional value of these meals is often lacking. The Helpguide website claims that taking a little bit more time to prepare gives parents more control over what the family eats. If your family likes something sweet after every meal, offer fruit-flavored yogurt, fat-free sherbet or oatmeal-raisin cookies.
Bacon Salad Sandwich
Spread two teaspoons of ranch dressing on a slice of toasted whole-wheat bread. Place 10 to 12 fresh spinach leaves over the dressing. Layer slices of a hardboiled egg and two slices of crisp bacon on top of the spinach. Top with another slice of whole-wheat toast. To make this sandwich lower in fat, use fat-free dressing and turkey bacon. Serve with a mixed fruit cup.
Leftover Buffet
If you have a number of leftovers from a few days worth of meals, pull them out and heat them in a large, covered roasting pan. Use foil separators to keep the foods from mixing. Toss a salad and cut up some fruit while heating the leftovers. Place everything on the counter and let each person fill his plate buffet style.
Custom Roll-Ups
Place bowls and platters of chopped chicken, turkey, ham or roast beef, hummus, avocado, sautéed vegetables, sliced tomatoes and lettuce leaves on the table. Give each person a whole-grain tortilla to make a custom roll-up. Most children enjoy choosing what they want and rolling it into the tortilla. Serve with a plate of celery and carrot sticks for a nutritious lunch.
Chicken on a Stick
Cut chicken into bite-size pieces and put them on skewers---one each for younger children and two each for older children and those with larger appetites. Sprinkle with teriyaki sauce and bake them in a 350-degree oven until done. Steam some rice and sauté two or three vegetables in canola oil while the chicken cooks. Choose from celery, peppers, carrots, broccoli, onions, peas and water chestnuts. Place a scoop of rice on each plate. Top with the vegetables and place the skewered chicken on the side. Provide a small bowl of more teriyaki sauce for dipping. Remove the chicken from the skewers for the younger children to prevent an accident.
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