Newbie here - need inexpensive/easy meal ideas
sarahkimberlin7
Posts: 4 Member
We are a family of 9 and I'm trying to lose the accumulated baby weight finally. I really don't want to become a short order cook, so I need family friendly meal ideas for the kids who only like skyline/spaghetti, tacos and occasionally chicken without complaining. I would like them to start eating healthier with us, so send some kid tested and approved meal ideas my way please! If you have calorie counts to go with the meals, I'd appreciate those too. That's one of the most daunting things to me...trying to figure out calories.
Feel free to add me as a friend. I'll take any and all support I can get.
Feel free to add me as a friend. I'll take any and all support I can get.
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Replies
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If you enter recipes into the recipe builder you will be able to work out the calories for any meal you make from scratch no problem. The Pinterest app is great for recipe ideas, I often browse the Slimming World ones, there is also this website here http://www.slimmingeats.com/blog/category/recipes/by-type/kid-friendly
I don't cook for a family of 9 but I do prep a lot of meals for storing later so my recipes cater to about 5 or 6 portions. Things like:- Chilli
- Chicken Casserole
- Curries
- Beef Strogonoff
- Meatballs
- Falafel
- Fishcakes
- Pulled Pork/Slow Cooked Chicken
- Lasagne
- Pasta Bake
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My shopping budget is £50 , got frozen diced beef and frozen diced lamb, frozen veg (broccoli, cauliflower) , 2 packs frozen chicken, 2 packs frozen meatballs , 2 packs of frozen fish, sweets and crisps for my wee one , butter , cheese, eggs, cleaning stuff and was under (I am on ketone) just some ideas.0
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Recipe sites like allrecipes give calorie counts.
Skinnytaste and Budgetbytes have good recipes.
Enter recipes into the recipe builder here.
https://www.budgetbytes.com/2014/12/parmesan-portobello-orzo/
https://www.budgetbytes.com/2015/03/broccoli-cheddar-casserole/
https://www.budgetbytes.com/2013/11/creamy-pesto-pasta-chicken-broccoli/
http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/copycat-olive-garden-minestrone-soup-by-todd-wilbur-77585#activity-feed
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/lemon-lentil-soup
https://therecipecritic.com/2017/02/garlic-chicken-stir-fry/
https://www.theyummylife.com/Oven_Chicken_Fajitas
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/17952/salsa-chicken-rice-casserole/
https://www.budgetbytes.com/2013/11/creamy-pesto-pasta-chicken-broccoli/
http://skinniminimebakery.blogspot.com/2012/10/healthy-taquitos-chicken-and.html
http://12tomatoes.com/sc-bean-chicken-soup/?utm_source=12t-12t&utm_medium=social-pin&utm_term=20160919&utm_content=link&utm_campaign=sc-bean-chicken-soup-fbtest&origin=12t_12t_social_pin_link_sc-bean-chicken-soup_20160919
https://www.mastercook.com/app/Recipe/WebRecipeDetails?recipeId=3362524
https://www.thespruce.com/fassolatha-white-bean-soup-fassolada-1705785
http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/treebeards-red-beans-and-rice-121498?soc=socialsharingpinterest
https://feedingmykid.wordpress.com/2013/01/06/asian-ground-beef-stir-fry-gluten-free-dairy-free-egg-free-peanut-and-tree-nut-free/
http://hip2save.com/2014/03/05/black-bean-baked-empanadas-spanish-rice/
http://ohsheglows.com/2013/04/08/black-bean-and-potato-nacho-plate/
http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/oven-roasted-broccoli-206184?soc=socialsharingpinterest
https://www.budgetbytes.com/2013/04/funky-monkey-baked-oatmeal/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/270919733809997073/
https://www.highheelsandgrills.com/runzas-a-classy-hot-pocket/1 -
How are you kids about veggies if they're mixed in with pasta? I make a really simple pasta primavera and incorporate different kinds of veggies my family likes into it. I based it off this recipe: https://www.organizedisland.com/pasta-primavera/
It doesn't use cream which helps with calories. Sometimes I use butter like it says but a lot of times I'll just use 1/4-1/2 cup of milk. The Parmesan makes it taste so yummy. I didn't follow that recipe exactly ingredients wise but it's a great starting point. I add cubed chicken breast too to bulk it up a bit.
Also check out skinnyms.com! She has a ton of recipes with the calories usually listed. You can browse by different categories which makes it very easy to navigate around!
But of course it's hard to give up skyline I lived in the area for several years and skyline became quite the staple in my diet0 -
tacos
spaghetti
eggs anything - quiche, breakfast casserole, egg salad, deviled eggs, boiled eggs
soups
chicken pot pie
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Use the recipe builder for things you already eat. It will figure out the calories in it for you.
I'm obnoxious about it and will enter everything and then weigh the entire amount and make that the number of servings.
So if i make something and it weighs 1200g then it's 1200 servings and if I eat 250g then it's 250 servings.
It allows me to eat what I always did just usually less of it.
I have also been known to batch cook myself some meals on a Sunday and eat those all week (ex make some chicken Sunday and eat that all week) regardless or inplace of SOME of what your family is eating? then they can eat what they like and maybe you have a small portion and some chicken?1 -
Use the recipe builder for things you already eat. It will figure out the calories in it for you.
I'm obnoxious about it and will enter everything and then weigh the entire amount and make that the number of servings.
So if i make something and it weighs 1200g then it's 1200 servings and if I eat 250g then it's 250 servings.
I do the same, it's a great technique! Especially for stuff like soup, chili, casseroles and pies where ingredients are distributed pretty evenly.
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thanks everyone! I appreciate the tips.0
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You can also modify any of your family recipes for better nutrition.0
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