Family Meals

JenStarEats · April 2012

Hi
I'm looking for some family meal ideas. I'm five days in to a 1500 Cal's a day diet and doing well but really struggling for ideas for evening meals that both my partner and toddelr will eat that's fits into my plan.
I barely get time to cook on meal so preparing two different things is out of the question and the meals need to fit with the below:

* low enough in Cals so that I can have a bigger portion than my two year old! (Working around a 400cal Max for my whole meal)
* is not based around salad as I eat it everyday for lunch, and the boys wont eat it
* does not include fish or any meat other than chicken breast, sausages or quorn mince
* quick to prepare and cook - 30/40mins *Max*
* is cheap

I know it's a fairly closed set of requirements but I have two fussy eaters and not much time due to the fact I work and have the baby the rest of the day.
I'm hoping to find at least five different ideas so we can have something different each day of the week so really appreciate any contributions.
TIA

Gosser · April 2012

Try doing a vegetable stir fry with beans. You can have a huge portion of that on low calories. Then grill some chicken for the toddler and partner.

This is how I get round having a power lifter in the house!!

Also I do other dishes that have rice ie chilli beans, fish kerala, etc but I only have veg not the rice.

Ckiers · April 2012

bumping...I would like to know also

ajohn252 · April 2012

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/recipes

These recipes are amazing and most are very healthy
and there's something for every taste.
Enjoy!

strunkm4 · April 2012

You can add me if you like and check out my diary for ideas! I try to post things to my blog too (I've been slacking hardcore though!!) I feed a 215 lb man and a fussy 3 year old daily!

ethompso0105 · April 2012

I do chicken nachos which are simple and can be altered to fit your plan:

1# chicken breast, cubed
1 jar of salsa (mild is typically best)
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed (if desired)

toppings if desired (greek yogurt or sour cream, cheese, etc.)
base layer (tortilla chips, lettuce, rice, corn bread, etc.)

Cook the chicken in a frying pan until cooked through. Pour the entire jar of salsa and black beans into the pan. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the liquid is somewhat reduced. You can serve this over almost anything (or eat alone) and you can top with so many different things--but only if you want to.

I don't have the nutritional info handy--sorry. I know I've entered it into my recipe section under food and it's pretty low in calories, while being filling and super yummy! It's also great because you can adjust this recipe to suit your individual taste. I've added frozen corn to the mixture, too, and it's really good!

moseler · April 2012

I would suggest investing in a Weight Watchers cookbook or buying their magazine. I have found some fantastic recipes that are healthy and our family (including kids) love. Also, another great resource is Clean Eating magazine. The magazine is filled with great recipes and breaks the nutrition down for every recipe. One of the other things I have been doing is modifying my traditional recipes to include lower fat, lower sodium options... most of the time my family doesn't even notice the difference. For example in my Stroganoff recipe, I substitute 98% fat free cream of mushroom instead of the fully leaded version and use low sodium worchestershire sauce... still delicious! Also, bear in mind, what they don't know you've modified won't hurt them... I just don't always tell them I've modified it until after the meal... :happy:

kristen6022 · April 2012

I'm single and usually just cook for myself, but there is a meal I make myself that could easily be made for more people and you can eat a ton of it.

This is 2 servings:

1/2 Package of Turkey Kielbasa
A variety of Fresh Peppers (I use 1/2 a Red Bell, 1/2 a Yellow Bell, and 1/2 a Green Bell pepper, and a jalepeno)
1/2 a large Yellow onion
1 tablespoon of Olive Oil
Franks Red Hot Sauce (to taste)

Prep: Cut up veggies and cut kielbasa into bite-size chunks.

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the kielbasa and veggies in, cook until tender and the kielbasa has color. Then add the Red Hot Sauce (I love hot food so I pretty much just dump it in).

Serve over brown rice, quinoa or cous cous.

Calories will vary depending on how much veggies you add, but mine usually is around 275 without the grains.

angeldaae · April 2012

My absolute favorite low-cal meal is Oven Fry chicken (I use breast tenderloins) with brown rice and a green veg. The Oven Fry brand is by far the best of this type of breading (you find it near the Shake & Bake). My husband and I both really love it. I think kids would love it, too, if you cut the chicken into chunks and call them chicken nuggets.

kmurphy0506 · April 2012

Here is a great Chicken in White Wine one-pot meal from Weight Watchers. Only 295 calories/serving! It may take closer to an hour rather than 30-40 minutes, but it's really easy and yummy. I would season as you go, it tends to e flat.

http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/chicken-in-white-wine-recipe/index.html

Another crowd pleaser is homemade pizza! My favorite is store bought whole wheat pizza crust, store bought pesto, part skim moz. cheese and a ton of vegetables. Sometimes I go crazy and throw some spicy chicken sausage on it too.

pixelish · April 2012

Tonight, our family is having pork roast (I put garlic cloves into the meat, slather a little whole grain mustard and salt and pepper on the top), steamed rice, steamed broccoli and grilled corn on the cob. I just watch my portions (with everything except the broccoli!).

Family Meals

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