Foods that are healthy and have many calories.

No vegetables, though.
It seems no matter what I do, I can't get more calories in my body without my stomach hurting from filling too much. I want to stick to the small portions I've done for the past 7 years now... But in a way where I'm wearing something balanced with more calories.
I cook on the stove 3 out of 7 days a week, and the meal would have to be good for a child as well. Nothing too spicy/hot/peppered/etc.
«1

Replies

  • sheedy17
    sheedy17 Posts: 128
    have you ever thought about taking protein shakes?
  • geneticsteacher
    geneticsteacher Posts: 623 Member
    Good oils - olive or canola, for example. Nuts, seeds, peanut butter and other nut butters. Beans and whole grains.
  • prosaiche
    prosaiche Posts: 29
    have you ever thought about taking protein shakes?
    They cost too much. Whatever I buy I need to be able to give to my 5 year old as well. We don't have that extra money to spend on special foods.
  • prosaiche
    prosaiche Posts: 29
    Good oils - olive or canola, for example. Nuts, seeds, peanut butter and other nut butters. Beans and whole grains.
    Seeds, almonds, and peanut butter are normal.. But I don't snack on seeds too much. Almonds are every so often mixed in with pancakes. Maybe increase the amount of almonds in the pancakes?

    Sadly, my son won't eat whole grain bread or noodles. Neither him or my husband are too find of it, so I only eat whole grain bread time to time when at my mothers. (It costs the same as regular white bread, right?)
  • Lelah77
    Lelah77 Posts: 177 Member
    Good oils - olive or canola, for example. Nuts, seeds, peanut butter and other nut butters. Beans and whole grains.

    ^^ This, and up your proteins, maybe? Maybe use crushed nuts as a coating on chicken or fish?

    Sorry I'm not more help. This "no vegetables" requirement is killing me because I shred up veggies and mix 'em into EVERYTHING.
  • prosaiche
    prosaiche Posts: 29
    Good oils - olive or canola, for example. Nuts, seeds, peanut butter and other nut butters. Beans and whole grains.

    ^^ This, and up your proteins, maybe? Maybe use crushed nuts as a coating on chicken or fish?

    Sorry I'm not more help. This "no vegetables" requirement is killing me because I shred up veggies and mix 'em into EVERYTHING.
    I cook chicken often, but can't use seasoning since my son won't eat it. (How I cook, everything is seasoned together or not at all.) No no it's fine. We're more of a meat household, and none of us eat a lot of veges besides corn, potatoes, and celery. Since we have money limits, I can't spend stuff on veges since they are costly.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    nuts, avocado, cook with oils and butter, etc...basically eat more fat...it is an essential nutrient, not something to be avoided at all costs. I would add fattier cuts of meat, poultry, and fatty fish like salmon. Again, fat isn't the devil and you need a certain amount of it for proper nutrition. Most people go way overboard trying to cut the fat because they are under the impression that fat makes you fat and/or is unhealthy...again...it is essential.
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Do you keep snacks around (boxes of crackers, chips, other snacks)?

    I find, feeding a young family, that those types of snacks prevent my little ones from having an appetite for the real meal I fix, including the veggies. So I don't buy fruit juices (our beverage is water), or snacks. Our snacks are like mini-meals, or maybe fruit. I usually have meats roasted and ready to go for any use, which makes putting meals together 100% easier!

    Also, do you have a meal that you sit down and eat together?

    It's often lots of clumsiness and noise, but my husband reads a story during dinner, or we talk about things. We do a lot of correcting of table manners lol, but this is a time to eat and not solve family probs or air grievances. So the children I think learn to eat better from doing this.
    So like tonight I reheated some roasted chicken and herb/cheese potato fries. Each person snapped off a whole romaine leaf, drizzled some dressing on the leaf, dusted it with a little parmesan, then used it to stuff their dinner in it while they ate. The children thought it was fun!
  • CharleePear
    CharleePear Posts: 1,948 Member
    I second the idea of mini meals, tinned tuna on low sugar, high grain crackers, I know you said no protein shakes but I currently don't work and they end up being cheaper than buying whole foods. But yeah oils, tofu, tuna, adding it as a sandwich ups the calories (high grain has lots of protein) helps, nuts are really high in calories, eggs.
  • prosaiche
    prosaiche Posts: 29
    nuts, avocado, cook with oils and butter, etc...basically eat more fat...it is an essential nutrient, not something to be avoided at all costs. I would add fattier cuts of meat, poultry, and fatty fish like salmon. Again, fat isn't the devil and you need a certain amount of it for proper nutrition. Most people go way overboard trying to cut the fat because they are under the impression that fat makes you fat and/or is unhealthy...again...it is essential.
    I have never tried salmon! Never learned to cook fresh fish properly, so this would be something fun for all of us.
    I don't really cut fat? I just eat what I like in decent amounts without it being strict junk food.
    By fattier cuts.. though? I'm not sure what you mean by that? Like the actually white pieces on steak? If so, I can't. I get sick if that is in my mouth. lol

    But I can try salmon. Might have to see if they have it on the farmers market since it's not cheap.
  • CharleePear
    CharleePear Posts: 1,948 Member
    nuts, avocado, cook with oils and butter, etc...basically eat more fat...it is an essential nutrient, not something to be avoided at all costs. I would add fattier cuts of meat, poultry, and fatty fish like salmon. Again, fat isn't the devil and you need a certain amount of it for proper nutrition. Most people go way overboard trying to cut the fat because they are under the impression that fat makes you fat and/or is unhealthy...again...it is essential.
    I have never tried salmon! Never learned to cook fresh fish properly, so this would be something fun for all of us.
    I don't really cut fat? I just eat what I like in decent amounts without it being strict junk food.
    By fattier cuts.. though? I'm not sure what you mean by that? Like the actually white pieces on steak? If so, I can't. I get sick if that is in my mouth. lol

    But I can try salmon. Might have to see if they have it on the farmers market since it's not cheap.

    If you can afford salmon, you can afford protein shakes. Just saying love. But I would have both.
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    coconut oil, butter, cashew butter
  • prosaiche
    prosaiche Posts: 29
    Do you keep snacks around (boxes of crackers, chips, other snacks)?

    I find, feeding a young family, that those types of snacks prevent my little ones from having an appetite for the real meal I fix, including the veggies. So I don't buy fruit juices (our beverage is water), or snacks. Our snacks are like mini-meals, or maybe fruit. I usually have meats roasted and ready to go for any use, which makes putting meals together 100% easier!

    Also, do you have a meal that you sit down and eat together?

    It's often lots of clumsiness and noise, but my husband reads a story during dinner, or we talk about things. We do a lot of correcting of table manners lol, but this is a time to eat and not solve family probs or air grievances. So the children I think learn to eat better from doing this.
    So like tonight I reheated some roasted chicken and herb/cheese potato fries. Each person snapped off a whole romaine leaf, drizzled some dressing on the leaf, dusted it with a little parmesan, then used it to stuff their dinner in it while they ate. The children thought it was fun!
    Most snacks are the fruits. Bananas, yogurt, saltine crackers, and peanut butter on a spoon are the usual. I don't do snacks, though, because I only eat when hungry. The idea of eating when not hungry is just strange to me. My husband boredom eats, and that turns me away from eating when not hungry even more.

    My son and I eat breakfast and lunch together. All 3 of us have dinner together. (My husband works midnights, so he sleeps through breakfast and lunch.) My son helps me cook, and we have everything on the table when eating. I'm not much of a person who believes in eating in front of a tv or on the couch. I love the family time. It's just us three, so there isn't much noise. Our little guy just eats and then gets up to go back to playing while my husband and I converse afterwards.

    The most 'creative' stuff we do is with home made pizza or experiment with flour/dough mix with home made cookies. I don't usually eat either since my son is the one with the ingredients. Lol
  • prosaiche
    prosaiche Posts: 29
    nuts, avocado, cook with oils and butter, etc...basically eat more fat...it is an essential nutrient, not something to be avoided at all costs. I would add fattier cuts of meat, poultry, and fatty fish like salmon. Again, fat isn't the devil and you need a certain amount of it for proper nutrition. Most people go way overboard trying to cut the fat because they are under the impression that fat makes you fat and/or is unhealthy...again...it is essential.
    I have never tried salmon! Never learned to cook fresh fish properly, so this would be something fun for all of us.
    I don't really cut fat? I just eat what I like in decent amounts without it being strict junk food.
    By fattier cuts.. though? I'm not sure what you mean by that? Like the actually white pieces on steak? If so, I can't. I get sick if that is in my mouth. lol

    But I can try salmon. Might have to see if they have it on the farmers market since it's not cheap.

    If you can afford salmon, you can afford protein shakes. Just saying love. But I would have both.
    That's why I mentioned going to the farmers market and seeing if they have it. If they don't, I won't be buying salmon... That and you can't give a protein shake to a 5 year old.. I believe?
  • amandzor
    amandzor Posts: 386 Member
    I don't have any children. But growing up, you either ate what was cooked, or you didn't eat anything.

    Maybe your boys need a little "tough love" for the sake of their nutrition.
  • prosaiche
    prosaiche Posts: 29
    I second the idea of mini meals, tinned tuna on low sugar, high grain crackers, I know you said no protein shakes but I currently don't work and they end up being cheaper than buying whole foods. But yeah oils, tofu, tuna, adding it as a sandwich ups the calories (high grain has lots of protein) helps, nuts are really high in calories, eggs.
    We usually switch up Tuna and eggs time to time. Crustaceans are something I see more of than actual fish. I'll try to work more tuna in. Usually I dont get it because I'll drain it dry. The juices taste..
    Fishy.
    (I had to. lol)

    Peanut butter, eggs, and milk are things we go through a LOT in the house. We drink whole milk as well.
  • prosaiche
    prosaiche Posts: 29
    I don't have any children. But growing up, you either ate what was cooked, or you didn't eat anything.

    Maybe your boys need a little "tough love" for the sake of their nutrition.
    His nutrition is fine. Perfect health for a kid his age.
    But just as my mother did to her 4 kids, and my grandmother did to her 11- no kid goes to bed hungry.

    But this is more about what I can make as a family that will still help me out at the same time- not forcing everyone to follow what I eat. That's just rude. Lol
  • amandzor
    amandzor Posts: 386 Member
    I don't have any children. But growing up, you either ate what was cooked, or you didn't eat anything.

    Maybe your boys need a little "tough love" for the sake of their nutrition.
    His nutrition is fine. Perfect health for a kid his age.
    But just as my mother did to her 4 kids, and my grandmother did to her 11- no kid goes to bed hungry.

    But this is more about what I can make as a family that will still help me out at the same time- not forcing everyone to follow what I eat. That's just rude. Lol

    How can someone's nutrition be "fine" without vegetables? And you're not "forcing" him if you're his parents. You're just doing your job.
  • prosaiche
    prosaiche Posts: 29
    I don't have any children. But growing up, you either ate what was cooked, or you didn't eat anything.

    Maybe your boys need a little "tough love" for the sake of their nutrition.
    His nutrition is fine. Perfect health for a kid his age.
    But just as my mother did to her 4 kids, and my grandmother did to her 11- no kid goes to bed hungry.

    But this is more about what I can make as a family that will still help me out at the same time- not forcing everyone to follow what I eat. That's just rude. Lol

    How can someone's nutrition be "fine" without vegetables? And you're not "forcing" him if you're his parents. You're just doing your job.
    I never said we didn't eat them?
    Forcing is pushing to do something against another's will. I was 'force fed' green beans, and to this day I throw up in my mouth at the smell. I've experienced being forced on certain foods, and I won't do that to my family. Doing my job is making sure he's eating good, being active, and being an intelligent, respectful kid. I'm doing that more than well. I can assure you.
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Do you keep snacks around (boxes of crackers, chips, other snacks)?

    I find, feeding a young family, that those types of snacks prevent my little ones from having an appetite for the real meal I fix, including the veggies. So I don't buy fruit juices (our beverage is water), or snacks. Our snacks are like mini-meals, or maybe fruit. I usually have meats roasted and ready to go for any use, which makes putting meals together 100% easier!

    Also, do you have a meal that you sit down and eat together?

    It's often lots of clumsiness and noise, but my husband reads a story during dinner, or we talk about things. We do a lot of correcting of table manners lol, but this is a time to eat and not solve family probs or air grievances. So the children I think learn to eat better from doing this.
    So like tonight I reheated some roasted chicken and herb/cheese potato fries. Each person snapped off a whole romaine leaf, drizzled some dressing on the leaf, dusted it with a little parmesan, then used it to stuff their dinner in it while they ate. The children thought it was fun!
    Most snacks are the fruits. Bananas, yogurt, saltine crackers, and peanut butter on a spoon are the usual. I don't do snacks, though, because I only eat when hungry. The idea of eating when not hungry is just strange to me. My husband boredom eats, and that turns me away from eating when not hungry even more.

    My son and I eat breakfast and lunch together. All 3 of us have dinner together. (My husband works midnights, so he sleeps through breakfast and lunch.) My son helps me cook, and we have everything on the table when eating. I'm not much of a person who believes in eating in front of a tv or on the couch. I love the family time. It's just us three, so there isn't much noise. Our little guy just eats and then gets up to go back to playing while my husband and I converse afterwards.

    The most 'creative' stuff we do is with home made pizza or experiment with flour/dough mix with home made cookies. I don't usually eat either since my son is the one with the ingredients. Lol
    It's really great that you have that awesome habit...eating when hungry instead of when bored/etc!! I'm sure your son is learning from your example! Definitely, making meals for a family is an art form! For me, having meats already roasted and ready (either in the fridge or freezer) is a must, because they can be used in so many different ways, and for any meal including breakfast! I also usually make a big salad that stores well for a few days...it ends up getting eaten for all three meals, even by my children...I think because they watch us do it, and ends up sounding good to them. I have cottage cheese and yogurt on hand. Canned tuna makes a quick tuna melt, or a dip with veggies and crackers. Hors d'oeuvres can make a fun fun meal and you can really get creative out-of-the box with these--totally fun!
  • prosaiche
    prosaiche Posts: 29

    Most snacks are the fruits. Bananas, yogurt, saltine crackers, and peanut butter on a spoon are the usual. I don't do snacks, though, because I only eat when hungry. The idea of eating when not hungry is just strange to me. My husband boredom eats, and that turns me away from eating when not hungry even more.

    My son and I eat breakfast and lunch together. All 3 of us have dinner together. (My husband works midnights, so he sleeps through breakfast and lunch.) My son helps me cook, and we have everything on the table when eating. I'm not much of a person who believes in eating in front of a tv or on the couch. I love the family time. It's just us three, so there isn't much noise. Our little guy just eats and then gets up to go back to playing while my husband and I converse afterwards.

    The most 'creative' stuff we do is with home made pizza or experiment with flour/dough mix with home made cookies. I don't usually eat either since my son is the one with the ingredients. Lol
    It's really great that you have that awesome habit...eating when hungry instead of when bored/etc!! I'm sure your son is learning from your example! Definitely, making meals for a family is an art form! For me, having meats already roasted and ready (either in the fridge or freezer) is a must, because they can be used in so many different ways, and for any meal including breakfast! I also usually make a big salad that stores well for a few days...it ends up getting eaten for all three meals, even by my children...I think because they watch us do it, and ends up sounding good to them. I have cottage cheese and yogurt on hand. Canned tuna makes a quick tuna melt, or a dip with veggies and crackers. Hors d'oeuvres can make a fun fun meal and you can really get creative out-of-the box with these--totally fun!
    I eat celery instead of salads for that reason. I'm the only one who eats salads in this house, so it goes out too quickly and I have to trash it. But ants on a log? That NEVER gets old.
    Cottage cheese.. yet. We get the 4% kind since it's not too bitter. That and some goldfish crackers are the best.
    I will admit I've been eating a bit less than normal lately, but it's because I'm getting off birth control after 5 years. Body is in for a big change and I'm here and there.

    I avoid freezing meat, but maybe I should start. Chicken and Deer will stay juicy even when frozen, right? (So new to the freezing!)
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member

    Most snacks are the fruits. Bananas, yogurt, saltine crackers, and peanut butter on a spoon are the usual. I don't do snacks, though, because I only eat when hungry. The idea of eating when not hungry is just strange to me. My husband boredom eats, and that turns me away from eating when not hungry even more.

    My son and I eat breakfast and lunch together. All 3 of us have dinner together. (My husband works midnights, so he sleeps through breakfast and lunch.) My son helps me cook, and we have everything on the table when eating. I'm not much of a person who believes in eating in front of a tv or on the couch. I love the family time. It's just us three, so there isn't much noise. Our little guy just eats and then gets up to go back to playing while my husband and I converse afterwards.

    The most 'creative' stuff we do is with home made pizza or experiment with flour/dough mix with home made cookies. I don't usually eat either since my son is the one with the ingredients. Lol
    It's really great that you have that awesome habit...eating when hungry instead of when bored/etc!! I'm sure your son is learning from your example! Definitely, making meals for a family is an art form! For me, having meats already roasted and ready (either in the fridge or freezer) is a must, because they can be used in so many different ways, and for any meal including breakfast! I also usually make a big salad that stores well for a few days...it ends up getting eaten for all three meals, even by my children...I think because they watch us do it, and ends up sounding good to them. I have cottage cheese and yogurt on hand. Canned tuna makes a quick tuna melt, or a dip with veggies and crackers. Hors d'oeuvres can make a fun fun meal and you can really get creative out-of-the box with these--totally fun!
    I eat celery instead of salads for that reason. I'm the only one who eats salads in this house, so it goes out too quickly and I have to trash it. But ants on a log? That NEVER gets old.
    Cottage cheese.. yet. We get the 4% kind since it's not too bitter. That and some goldfish crackers are the best.
    I will admit I've been eating a bit less than normal lately, but it's because I'm getting off birth control after 5 years. Body is in for a big change and I'm here and there.

    I avoid freezing meat, but maybe I should start. Chicken and Deer will stay juicy even when frozen, right? (So new to the freezing!)
    Juiciness will not be an issue.
    You can roast a chicken in the oven (just put into a very deep pot, uncovered) No need to add anything, just roast it until it's falling apart, and deep golden brown. Then freeze the de-boned chicken in a ziploc, flat so it's easy to break some off for use. Alternatively, your hubbs may enjoy BBQing a couple whole chickens for you, beer can style. Or buy a couple rotisserie chickens, that's better than heating up the oven in the summer. I don't like to roast a chicken in the house, but since I have a whole house fan to remove the odor, I'll do it.
    Ask the meat-person for a 4 lb cross-rib roast...it's a good price and excellent flavor! Have the meat-person cut it into slabs for you so you don't have to do all the cutting after it's cooked. Place the meat into a big lasagne dish pan and slather with unrefined salt, garlic powder and black pepper...use plenty of seasoning. Cover the dish tightly with a generous amount of aluminum foil so the moisture stays in the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 3-3.5 hours (until the juices are becoming dark brown). It smells awesome and the flavor is amazing! Check at 3 hours, roast longer if needed. Freeze some in zips, but this meat will taste awesome for days in your fridge!
  • prosaiche
    prosaiche Posts: 29
    Juiciness will not be an issue.
    You can roast a chicken in the oven (just put into a very deep pot, uncovered) No need to add anything, just roast it until it's falling apart, and deep golden brown. Then freeze the de-boned chicken in a ziploc, flat so it's easy to break some off for use. Alternatively, your hubbs may enjoy BBQing a couple whole chickens for you, beer can style. Or buy a couple rotisserie chickens, that's better than heating up the oven in the summer. I don't like to roast a chicken in the house, but since I have a whole house fan to remove the odor, I'll do it.
    Ask the meat-person for a 4 lb cross-rib roast...it's a good price and excellent flavor! Have the meat-person cut it into slabs for you so you don't have to do all the cutting after it's cooked. Place the meat into a big lasagne dish pan and slather with unrefined salt, garlic powder and black pepper...use plenty of seasoning. Cover the dish tightly with a generous amount of aluminum foil so the moisture stays in the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 3-3.5 hours (until the juices are becoming dark brown). It smells awesome and the flavor is amazing! Check at 3 hours, roast longer if needed. Freeze some in zips, but this meat will taste awesome for days in your fridge!
    That's good, then. I usually put the chicken in the crock pot and then the oven just wrapped in foil with the corn. We never buy boned chicken. Just breasts. I dont do ribs either.. I pick at any fatty like piece.. Those my boys ADORE ribs.
    (I'll also be looking up what beer can style chicken is.. Never heard that term.)

    I'll get this copied, though. I mainly cook chicken breast, brisket, lamb, deer, and buffalo.. but I love new things regarding meat. Thanks!
  • JTThomas
    JTThomas Posts: 69 Member
    Do you happen to live near an Aldi grocery store? Their prices for produce are much cheaper than other grocery stores and much of their other merchandise is generic but of good quality. If there's one near you it'd definitely be worth your while to check it out for chicken, other meats, peanut butter, avocado, breads, eggs, milk, etc.
  • servicedograiser
    servicedograiser Posts: 38 Member
    MILK:bigsmile: Good for 5 yr olds and certainly has protein!
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    I'm not sure I understand the original question? You are looking for healthy, calorie dense foods, which are inexpensive and also suitable for your son? Is that right? Are you just tying to get your cals up to your daily goal? How far short are you falling?
  • ArtGeek22
    ArtGeek22 Posts: 1,429 Member
    Coconut, Avocado, Cliff Bars ($1 a piece), Tahini, and nut butters?
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Juiciness will not be an issue.
    You can roast a chicken in the oven (just put into a very deep pot, uncovered) No need to add anything, just roast it until it's falling apart, and deep golden brown. Then freeze the de-boned chicken in a ziploc, flat so it's easy to break some off for use. Alternatively, your hubbs may enjoy BBQing a couple whole chickens for you, beer can style. Or buy a couple rotisserie chickens, that's better than heating up the oven in the summer. I don't like to roast a chicken in the house, but since I have a whole house fan to remove the odor, I'll do it.
    Ask the meat-person for a 4 lb cross-rib roast...it's a good price and excellent flavor! Have the meat-person cut it into slabs for you so you don't have to do all the cutting after it's cooked. Place the meat into a big lasagne dish pan and slather with unrefined salt, garlic powder and black pepper...use plenty of seasoning. Cover the dish tightly with a generous amount of aluminum foil so the moisture stays in the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 3-3.5 hours (until the juices are becoming dark brown). It smells awesome and the flavor is amazing! Check at 3 hours, roast longer if needed. Freeze some in zips, but this meat will taste awesome for days in your fridge!
    That's good, then. I usually put the chicken in the crock pot and then the oven just wrapped in foil with the corn. We never buy boned chicken. Just breasts. I dont do ribs either.. I pick at any fatty like piece.. Those my boys ADORE ribs.
    (I'll also be looking up what beer can style chicken is.. Never heard that term.)

    I'll get this copied, though. I mainly cook chicken breast, brisket, lamb, deer, and buffalo.. but I love new things regarding meat. Thanks!
    I've not tried those meats, and I should:) If you ever do a whole chicken, you can use the bones to make broth...just put the bones/cartilage in a roomy pot with some basic veggies like carrot, celery, onion, parsley, add water until covered. Bring to boil then lower heat. Let it simmer, barely bubbling (harder simmers will emulsify fats and make a cloudy broth), until the veggies look spent. Strain and freeze! It's delicious if youdrink it like broth in a mug, with a squeeze of lemon and some additional seasoning, or make a soup.
  • ElkeKNJ
    ElkeKNJ Posts: 207 Member
    If you want inspiration for tasty and healthy budget meals, this website is dedicated to this: http://www.budgetkoken.be/.
    Meals for 4 people at EUR 10,- or less (today that is 13,46 USD).
    It is in Dutch though, but the online translators work quite well.

    I have three kids, and feed them the same style you do. I do not cook the typical children's dishes, that's what grandma is for, and I never force them to finish their plate, only to at least taste each item on their plate. There are days when they eat less than a mouse, but they do not get a cookie for dessert (don't want them to not eat and then fill their stomach on cookies afterwards). If they are hungry, they will eat, and sometimes I make them a sandwich an hour later.
    Also, when I know they won't eat much, I cook a bit less of it. If they surprisingly, like the dish better than I thought, I share my portion with them. I always try to portion so that their are no leftovers.
    I am not always successful, but I usually get it about right.
  • lcyama
    lcyama Posts: 209 Member
    cheese. (add it to broccoli, if you're interested in adding veggies.)

    salad dressing, like ranch, for dipping (carrots, celery, chicken, pizza bread.) it sounds gross to me but my kids would eat things dipped in ranch that they wouldn't eat otherwise. the salad dressing isn't "healthy" like you requested, but the dippers can be.

    and again, nuts. i could eat peanut butter all day long but i'm trying to keep my calories down.

    oh, and my kids LOVE spaghetti. marinara sauce and sausage/meatballs on the side.