Anyone have any healthy/kid friendly Recipes

nmn2

I'm working hard to redo all my recipes with better ingredients but I still want them to taste good! I also have a 3 year old and almost 2 year old to consider who are very pick eaters! I'm on a budget so I simply can't afford a ton of expensive ingredients so I like simple family recipes. Any and all suggestions would be very welcome! I also love things that can be made in a double batch so I can freeze half for those nights I just don't feel like cooking! Thanks everyone!

rompers16

Look up zucchini tots under the search option. Very good..they taste like tator tots

nmn2

Thanks, my kids and husband would love that!

ashleab37

Grated zucchini in EVERYTHING. You can have HEAPS without even tasting it. In one serving of my bolognese there's half a cup of zucchini and half a cup of carrot, nobody has any idea there's veggies in there.

jenlarz

Switching to multi grain pasta instead of regular is an easy change. There's also veggie pastas but we haven't tried those yet.

nmn2

nobody has any idea there's veggies in there.

Perfect, I love sneaky veggies!

blu_meanie_ca

I make my pasta sause with fresh tomatoes and veggies.. far easier than one would think (takes about 20 min on simmer once chopping is done). Choose *whole grain* pasta, and you've got supper. Soups heavy on veggies (even frozen ones) are high in nutritional value, and cheap (esp if you use frozen veggies). I make my soups a bit kid friendlier by adding in some ketchup into the kids soups.
I batch cook grains such as pasta, (brown) rice, barley, and wheat kernels. Even if I don't have a grain in my meal, it's super easy to defrost a portioned bag for the kids.
Give your kids a week to adjust if you are chaning your diet. Their palates will have to adjust as well, but, they will.
Oh, and it's super easy to make your own chicken fingers. 1/2 cup of flour, salt, pepper, and what ever seasonings you like, and about a tsp of oil. Shake up in a freezer bag, add strips of skinless chicken and pre-pair just like shake-n-bake. Bake at 350 for about 20 min or so.

nmn2

Switching to multi grain pasta instead of regular is an easy change. There's also veggie pastas but we haven't tried those yet.

I have been using whole grain pasta, I made a yummy much healthier mac n cheese with it. Only problem is it was brown and that picky little 3 year old of mine would not eat it because it looks different She's a stubborn one!
I have not seen the veggie pasta, I'll def have to give that a try! Thanks

janeite1990

I offer the kids fruit or cheese for a snack the first five times (or so) that they ask for something. Eventually, I let them have a cookie, but we go through the good snacks, first.

We eat turkey burgers with craisins in them. The kids like the craisin part.

We all just ate Greek yogurt chicken salad. They loved it and thanked me for making such a good dinner. They are 7 and 4.

We drink water almost exclusively, with just a little milk. If you put away the juice, their tastes get better.

Peanut butter on whole wheat bread.

nmn2

Oh, and it's super easy to make your own chicken fingers. 1/2 cup of flour, salt, pepper, and what ever seasonings you like, and about a tsp of oil. Shake up in a freezer bag, add strips of skinless chicken and pre-pair just like shake-n-bake. Bake at 350 for about 20 min or so.

That's a great idea! Thanks!

MFPfriend

Chicken nuggets made with cornflakes! Pretty easy to make, too.
1) Cut up thawed chicken breasts into bite-size pieces.
2) Take one egg (or two, if you're making a lot of nuggets) and beat it into a bowl.
3) Crush up some cornflake cereal (my friend also likes to use Doritos chips sometimes) into a different bowl and add some spices like red pepper flakes.
4) Take a piece of chicken, dip into the egg wash, then roll it around in the cornflakes.
5) Put on a cookie sheet (or one of those nifty cooling racks that can go in the oven- it helps the bottoms get crispy). Bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Boom. Homemade, delicious chicken nuggets.

ritasice21

Chicken breast is awesome for everyone! Make nuggets by processing fiber one cereal till extra fine, then bake at 350 for 20 mins.Mix greek yogurt with honey mustard for a healthier dipping sauce.

If making anything with turkey or beef such as chili, sloppy joe, taco, etc take a can of beans and blend or process with a small amount of water. Mix in with the browned drained meat. No one will know it is in there, and it will make extra servings and add protein.

Carrots, celery, onions, zucchini and spinach can be processed after being nuked with a little water and mixed into spaghetti sauce. No one knows a thing!

Rice is cheap and can be healthy if you eat a proper serving.

nmn2

If making anything with turkey or beef such as chili, sloppy joe, taco, etc take a can of beans and blend or process with a small amount of water. Mix in with the browned drained meat. No one will know it is in there, and it will make extra servings and add protein.

Carrots, celery, onions, zucchini and spinach can be processed after being nuked with a little water and mixed into spaghetti sauce. No one knows a thing!

I love these ideas! Especially the taco one! Thanks

Dianafrance8

Quick "Belgian" waffles with almond butter & berries
My kids favorite

*Kellogg's Eggo Waffles - Nutri Grain Low Fat Whole Wheat Waffles, 1 waffles (70g) (or use 45 calorie whole wheat toast)
*365 Organic - Smooth Almond Butter, 1 Tbsp. *Trader Joe's – Organic Frozen Raspberries- 35 grams *Smucker's Sugar Free Strawberry Preserves- 1 Tbsp. *Reddi Whip - Fat Free Dairy Whipped Topping, 2 Tbsp. *Cinnamon, 1 sprinkle

Directions-
While waffle is toasting,
Heat together raspberries and preserves in microwave for 30 sec.
Spread almond butter on hot waffle
Pour hot raspberry sauce over toast
Add whipped cream and cinnamon...Enjoy

This is a super-fast, healthy and a very pretty breakfast.
Total: 195 calories
Variations-You can change the berries or nut butters to your liking.
Try 45 calorie bread or low-carb English muffins too

Dianafrance8

Quick "Belgian" waffles with almond butter & berries
My kids favorite

*Kellogg's Eggo Waffles - Nutri Grain Low Fat Whole Wheat Waffles, 1 waffles (70g) (or use 45 calorie whole wheat toast)
*365 Organic - Smooth Almond Butter, 1 Tbsp. *Trader Joe's – Organic Frozen Raspberries- 35 grams *Smucker's Sugar Free Strawberry Preserves- 1 Tbsp. *Reddi Whip - Fat Free Dairy Whipped Topping, 2 Tbsp. *Cinnamon, 1 sprinkle

Directions-
While waffle is toasting,
Heat together raspberries and preserves in microwave for 30 sec.
Spread almond butter on hot waffle
Pour hot raspberry sauce over toast
Add whipped cream and cinnamon...Enjoy

This is a super-fast, healthy and a very pretty breakfast.
Total: 195 calories
Variations-You can change the berries or nut butters to your liking.
Try 45 calorie bread or low-carb English muffins too

Dianafrance8

Ground turkey taco/pizza muffins
Make these mini size for kids to dip

Basic Recipe-
@20 ozs. Fresh, Lean ground turkey,
2Ts. Minced garlic,
1 c. Diced spinach,
1/8th red or green bell pepper,
2 sliced green onion,
1T. . Salt-free seasoning,
3T. Egg whites.

Mix all ingredients. Spoon into foil muffin tin liners-to the top. Makes about 15 muffins.

Bake at 375 for 25 mins.

If they need to drain, I tipped mine over onto a cookie cooling rack laying over my sink
(basically works like a big strainer ).

For variations
TACO-mix in 2 T. Dry taco mix(find low salt), salsa, and 1/6th slice of reduced fat pepper jack cheese(place on top before baking) .
PIZZA-mix in 1/4 c. Pasta sauce(low cal/carb), diced, light pepperoni, light mozzarella cheese sticks (cut in tiny chunks), oregano.
CHEESEBURGER-mix in 4T. Low sugar ketchup or BBQ sauce, light cheddar cheese chunks.

Try your own varieties and share the recipes .

Tiny muffins are super cute and fun for kids.

Pack into portions, freeze if you want.
Enjoy

Info for Taco muffins- Calories-69, Carbs-1, Protein-7, Sodium-136, Calcium-3

Dianafrance8

Egg White "muffins omelets"
Kids love these in mini size-clean "eat in the car" breakfast.
Perfect for quick mornings and your nutrition is perfectly portioned out.

Spray muffin tins with olive oil spray or use foil muffin liners for easy cleanup.

For each muffin, fill tin with:
60 gms (1/4 cup) egg whites,
1 tsp. each -bacon bits,
- red bell pepper,
-green onion,
-feta cheese,
season to taste

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes (please watch them to make sure)
Cool and store in fridge or freeze.

Serve with ff sour cream, salsa, avocado, etc…
Put between low carb bread, tortilla or English muffin.
Try your own variations with spinach, different cheeses, veggies or meats, great with chicken or turkey sausage too.

I like prepare as many things in advanced and store them for the week ready to go for lunches and meals.
Calories-@60. Carbs @ 3
enjoy

judychicken

Bump

kacarter1017

I use ground turkey instead of hamburger, use my food processor and pulverize veggies so I can get veggies the kids think they don't like into foods. One thing I will say: if all you present to your children is healthier options, they will eventually eat it if there isn't another option. Whole wheat pasta is all I use, as is brown rice. One of the kids was pretty sure he didn't like brown rice. Well, there wasn't another option (supper was a skillet type meal where the rice was mixed in with the meat and veggies), and eventually he started eating, because his other option was waiting til the next meal. He ate it and liked it! Things like veggies served as a side dish, they all had to try them when they were little. If they didn't like it, they didn't have to eat more, but they had to try it. All but the youngest (he's 14) are adventurous eaters now.

Oaeneo

I make mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes. I also sometimes add other root veggies such as parsnips, carrots, beets and rutabaga to a mash. Sprinkle a little cheese on it and my 4 year old eats it right up.
I also have him eating baked fish instead of fish sticks and chicken chunks instead of chicken nuggets. He eats dried fruit and nuts as a snack most days. His favorite is cashews.
I've found that a lot of veggies can be hidden in pasta sauce and scrambled eggs.

tresmommy86

I received a Baby Bullet as a gift when I was pregnant. Although my son is almost 2, I still use it. He loves apple sauce, so sometimes I will puree carrots and add it to the apple sauce and it tastes like sweet potatoes depending on how much you add. This was how I got him to eat carrots as a baby. He still eats it now. He calls all round fruits apples, but also loves oranges. I was determined that he would love fruits and veggies from an early age! If you have any kind of blender, pureeing fruits and veggies is another easy way to sneak in the good stuff. Good luck, mom!

nmn2

I use ground turkey instead of hamburger, use my food processor and pulverize veggies so I can get veggies the kids think they don't like into foods. One thing I will say: if all you present to your children is healthier options, they will eventually eat it if there isn't another option. Whole wheat pasta is all I use, as is brown rice. One of the kids was pretty sure he didn't like brown rice. Well, there wasn't another option (supper was a skillet type meal where the rice was mixed in with the meat and veggies), and eventually he started eating, because his other option was waiting til the next meal. He ate it and liked it! Things like veggies served as a side dish, they all had to try them when they were little. If they didn't like it, they didn't have to eat more, but they had to try it. All but the youngest (he's 14) are adventurous eaters now.

I have the same thinking as you, I serve good meals as it is and I don't make substitutes for my kids.....they won't go hungry! We're working on getting my 3 year old to try a bite of things she assumes she does not like. So far she likes spinach salad and nothing else but that's a start! Thanks for the tips!

nmn2

I received a Baby Bullet as a gift when I was pregnant. Although my son is almost 2, I still use it. He loves apple sauce, so sometimes I will puree carrots and add it to the apple sauce and it tastes like sweet potatoes depending on how much you add. This was how I got him to eat carrots as a baby. He still eats it now. He calls all round fruits apples, but also loves oranges. I was determined that he would love fruits and veggies from an early age! If you have any kind of blender, pureeing fruits and veggies is another easy way to sneak in the good stuff. Good luck, mom!

My kids LOVE applesauce and all fruit for that matter I never thought to add carrots DUH! Thanks for the idea ..... they love fruit and yogurt and cheese and other good meals and snacks it's just these dang veggies! Like you I wanted them to like them from babies and they did. I don't know what happened I never stopped serving it but they both quit eating it around their first birthdays. My daughter is starting to try things I haven't got my little one on board yet but we're working on it! Thanks again!

megleo818

There are two "Cook This, Not That" books out that are really great. Easy, kid-friendly and with pictures. You can get them used on Amazon. Highly recommended!

katiwagner

Bumping to also take advantage of!