Kids may be picky eaters, and it doesn't help that mornings and evenings can be busy and chaotic for cooking. A weekly menu or diet routine can make it easier to plan meals, shop, cook and feed the children healthful meals. Integrate some different ideas into your family's weekly routine.
Breakfasts
Many parents resort to the cold cereal or frozen waffle option for breakfast. These foods are quick, but may not be as nutritious as you'd like. Integrate new foods into your morning, such as fruit smoothies, suggests AskDrSears.com, hot cereal prepared in a slow cooker the night before, or homemade whole grain waffles, muffins and breakfast burritos that you prepare ahead and freeze. To freeze breakfast foods, wrap them in single serving sizes. Microwave briefly to thaw and warm through. Planning breakfast may allow you to skip the complaints that there is nothing good to eat and prevent kids from skipping this important meal.
Lunches
Replace the hot school lunch with healthy lunchbox alternatives. Classic sandwiches, with a side of carrots and fresh fruit, are a nutritious and easy choice. As an alternative, try hot dishes such as soup, stew or pasta packed in an insulated container, suggests KidsHealth.org. Bean dips, such as hummus, with pita bread and fresh vegetables, or a salad with roast chicken pack well. Make a menu of lunch options if your kids pack their own to remind them to include protein, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables each day or make Monday soup day, Tuesday sandwich day and so on.
Dinners
Smart dinner planning can help your week go well. Some families opt to create meal rotations, with certain meals or types of meals on set days of the week, such as pasta on Monday, chicken on Tuesday, and soup on Wednesday. Consider taking time to do some preparation on the weekend or when you have extra time. If you have roast chicken on Monday, use Monday's roast chicken for chicken noodle soup on Wednesday. Chop vegetables for multiple meals at once and plan several quick back-up meals for busy nights. Post your weekly diet routine, so kids will know what to expect each night, and create meals made up of separate components, so everyone can adjust the meal to his liking, recommends "New York Times" reporter Leslie Kaufman.
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