Quick and easy, kid-friendly breakfasts?
Dragonwolf
Posts: 5,600 Member
So, I'm considering putting my foot down and transitioning my son completely over to Paleo. I've been lenient with it, because I'm kind of alone in this. My husband, while supportive, isn't fully on board, and it would mean dealing with the day care center, and I can't do it all by myself, but a number of behavioral problems have come to light (thanks for telling us, people), and it's jeopardizing a number of things. I've so far been biding my time and keeping an eye out for behavioral patterns to try to link back to an underlying cause, but that's proven difficult when people don't want to tell us things.
That brings me to my primary question -- breakfast ideas. It's going to be hard to break him of wanting cereal, and he's bullheaded. He has barely eaten breakfast at all this week, because he didn't want the cereal we did have. I've done what I could to find a balance in the past, by providing gluten free cereals. Generally, I'm fine with "let him go hungry, he'll start eating," but going hungry in the morning is exacerbating his behavior at school.
Now, he's a fairly good eater. He doesn't really go after sweets (a handful of M&Ms at great-grandpa's is about the extent of it), and he'll ask for and go after things like berries, bell peppers, and carrots. This is great, except that a) he's not much of a meat eater, and b) he has a tendency to ask for things and then refuse them by the time the food is ready. The little bit of meat he does eat -- generally bacon and hamburgers -- are even hit or miss, depending on his mood. This makes making something that doesn't reheat well (or the type of dishes that have a kind of "best if eaten by" time to them) not a good idea. I'd be okay with veggie meals, except for the lack of calories, and adding nut butter would just result in him eating the nut butter straight.
So, for now, at least, I could use some recipes, or websites with good recipes, for quick, easy, kid-friendly breakfasts.
That brings me to my primary question -- breakfast ideas. It's going to be hard to break him of wanting cereal, and he's bullheaded. He has barely eaten breakfast at all this week, because he didn't want the cereal we did have. I've done what I could to find a balance in the past, by providing gluten free cereals. Generally, I'm fine with "let him go hungry, he'll start eating," but going hungry in the morning is exacerbating his behavior at school.
Now, he's a fairly good eater. He doesn't really go after sweets (a handful of M&Ms at great-grandpa's is about the extent of it), and he'll ask for and go after things like berries, bell peppers, and carrots. This is great, except that a) he's not much of a meat eater, and b) he has a tendency to ask for things and then refuse them by the time the food is ready. The little bit of meat he does eat -- generally bacon and hamburgers -- are even hit or miss, depending on his mood. This makes making something that doesn't reheat well (or the type of dishes that have a kind of "best if eaten by" time to them) not a good idea. I'd be okay with veggie meals, except for the lack of calories, and adding nut butter would just result in him eating the nut butter straight.
So, for now, at least, I could use some recipes, or websites with good recipes, for quick, easy, kid-friendly breakfasts.
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Replies
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I struggle with this, too. It's hard to break the cereal habit, especially for children. I make a simple casserole with a dozen eggs, bacon, and vegetables, and cheese. I bake that on Sunday and then for the next few days they can cut out a peice and have that - hot or cold.
I have a site bookmarked on my computer and will post that later. Hopefully we can get lots of ideas.
And if you can, do an unannounced visit to the daycare center.0 -
My youngest (age 7) likes bacon and what she calls a "froached" egg (like a fried egg but when it is almost finished you put on a splash of water and put a pan lid over it so the top goes white). My eldest (9) likes a lorne sausage wrap (lorne sausage is Scottish square slicing sausage [I make my own with minced beef and pork]) - I just use ordinary wraps for this, but you could always make something paleoish instead (I made some with coconut flour that were OK). Both of those are fairly quick options. Both of them like scrambled egg with Worcestershire sauce (as do I LOL). The eldest will also eat fruit (not the youngest though that is a moan for another thread).0
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Growing kids need carbs so paleo or not make sure he's getting some of each macro at breakfast. My kids eat either yogurt and honey with raisons and seeds or eggs over easy with cheese and a smoothie. Also I have one who doeasnt like eggs and I put raw eggs in his smoothie. Before we went grain free I used to do crockpot slow cooked whole grains with cinnamon and butter and honey for breakfast. I really think Weston a price approach to grains is healthy for kids and adults and look forward to eating those slow cooked breakfast grains again!0
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Also I make a toasted coconut flake "granola". for the kids. Butter, honey, nvanilla, nuts seeds and coconut flakes baked at 250 stirred every 10 minutes until browned. Also when we where transitioning I made almond flour waffles everyday. I don't think almond flour is ideal but we were at a point of true desperation with our oldest behavior. We did the SCD intro diet and have been on the diet two years now. You should check out SCD and GAPS if you get desperate. These things work but damn its hard!0
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I feel you, I hate feeding the kids cereal in the mornings although I grew up eating that crap, Captain Crunch being a personal favorite, ugh. It's bacon and eggs (in a box) if I have time, pancakes (premade by me) on the weekend. Personally, I'd slice some apples and give him a glob of peanut butter or nutella and some milk, my boy is bouncing off the walls with all the sugar put in cereal, so almost any alternative is better. This website might give you some ideas but none of them are fast and easy. http://ultimatepaleoguide.com/101-paleo-breakfast-ideas/0
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Wraps are a good option. They can either be hot or cold, filled with more veggies, or meat, or whatever your child likes. I use the coconut paleo wraps, but I’m sure there are other types out there, or you can make your own.0
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I have no idea what your son's behavioral conditions involve, BUT, my brother always misbehaved and was hyperactive in school. Always gave teachers problems. My mom started giving him carrot juice before school and he was much more calm and relaxed! I know you said food is kind of a hit or miss with your son, so I can't imagine he'd be gung ho for carrot juice. But I always think its worth mentioning
How about a bag of mixed nuts for him to take in the car if he doesn't feel like eating at home? They at least have fat and are satiating. Pair that with some fruit of his choice, even! Does he like eggs? I can imagine it's frustrating if you have time to make eggs, and then he refuse them once he has them, though. Maybe ants on a log (almond butter on celery with raisins on top) made the night before. I'm just brainstorming here! I wish you best of luck, I really don't want to feed kids cereal either.0 -
Growing kids need carbs so paleo or not make sure he's getting some of each macro at breakfast. My kids eat either yogurt and honey with raisons and seeds or eggs over easy with cheese and a smoothie. Also I have one who doeasnt like eggs and I put raw eggs in his smoothie. Before we went grain free I used to do crockpot slow cooked whole grains with cinnamon and butter and honey for breakfast. I really think Weston a price approach to grains is healthy for kids and adults and look forward to eating those slow cooked breakfast grains again!
Why do people assume Paleo is somehow devoid of carbs, especially on this board? :noway:
Trust me, carbs are not an issue with this child. This is the kid that will polish off an entire quart of strawberries or pint of blueberries or raspberries in one sitting. He's also a fry-aholic, and at 4 years old can polish off a Belgian waffle by himself. He certainly inherited his father's carb-aholic nature.
I have enough trouble keeping weight on him as it is, anyway, so I have no intention of intentionally restricting any macro or anything like that.0 -
I think you might find that smoothies might work as a quick and easy breakfast. My daughter would never think of trying eggs or avocado. I was able to put them in a smoothie with a handful of frozen berry medley and she never knew the difference. She ate this pretty much every morning for a year or so. When she eventually got tired of it we varied the fruit and vegetables until she found other options.
2 raw eggs
1 handful spinach
3 mini peppers (quartered)
1/2 Avocado
1 small banana
1 handful berry medley (raspberry, blueberry, strawberry)
3 ice cubes
8-10 ounces milk or dairy substitute
Blend with stick blender for a minute or so.
Makes 2 large servings.0 -
I think you might find that smoothies might work as a quick and easy breakfast. My daughter would never think of trying eggs or avocado. I was able to put them in a smoothie with a handful of frozen berry medley and she never knew the difference. She ate this pretty much every morning for a year or so. When she eventually got tired of it we varied the fruit and vegetables until she found other options.
2 raw eggs
1 handful spinach
3 mini peppers (quartered)
1/2 Avocado
1 small banana
1 handful berry medley (raspberry, blueberry, strawberry)
3 ice cubes
8-10 ounces milk or dairy substitute
Blend with stick blender for a minute or so.
Makes 2 large servings.
I like this smoothie idea, minus the bananas though (I'm diabetic). I could replace with an apple. Thanks for sharing!0 -
An apple would work. You might consider cherries also as they have a low GI (22). They have large frozen bags at Costco. I have used them in the mix instead of banana.0
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Growing kids need carbs so paleo or not make sure he's getting some of each macro at breakfast. My kids eat either yogurt and honey with raisons and seeds or eggs over easy with cheese and a smoothie. Also I have one who doeasnt like eggs and I put raw eggs in his smoothie. Before we went grain free I used to do crockpot slow cooked whole grains with cinnamon and butter and honey for breakfast. I really think Weston a price approach to grains is healthy for kids and adults and look forward to eating those slow cooked breakfast grains again!
Why do people assume Paleo is somehow devoid of carbs, especially on this board? :noway:
Trust me, carbs are not an issue with this child. This is the kid that will polish off an entire quart of strawberries or pint of blueberries or raspberries in one sitting. He's also a fry-aholic, and at 4 years old can polish off a Belgian waffle by himself. He certainly inherited his father's carb-aholic nature.
I have enough trouble keeping weight on him as it is, anyway, so I have no intention of intentionally restricting any macro or anything like that.
My child LOVES her carbs too, and the only issue I have is trying to make sure they are healthy carbs. I do NOT restrict her carbs, however, if she's anything like her mom they will become an issue later on if she follows SAD, calorie and fat restriction like I did for 20 years. Otherwise, I'm not worrying about that either. It's WAY easy to be Paleo and eat zillions of carbs. I'm way jealous too.
I do allow my child occasional rice and wheat free steel cut oatmeal and cereals, but only because she loves them, not because she needs them. Grains suck for me AND her. I compromise a bit but never wheat. Too bad she gets it from other places all over town.
I don't actually think kids need any added sweeteners AT ALL (yes, mine gets a bit of honey and maple syrup very rarely). Yeah, they love it, cry for it, throw tantrums over it... all the more reason to be wary of them.0 -
An apple would work. You might consider cherries also as they have a low GI (22). They have large frozen bags at Costco. I have used them in the mix instead of banana.
I actually have frozen cherries in my freezer, great suggestion, thanks!0 -
Another thing I do with my kids, and husband, for a quick breakfast is "cupcakes" made from egg and sausage. Where you make a typical casserole liquid mix (eggs, and milk and cheese if you do those, and sausage, and vegetables) and pour it into a cupcake pan to bake. They are easy to grab and go.
I've done this, too with mega-meatballs -- ground meat, quinoa, vegetables, etc -- again baked in a cupcake pan.
My children help with both of these recipes and that makes it much easier to get them to eat them.0
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