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Family Meals - Better for Children, Easier for You
Another day, another dinner to prepare. Are you having a
difficult time finding easy to prepare meals that can satisfy
your growing family?
You want to give your family the best, but time is in short
supply and preparing a healthy meal has become a chore. Too often
take out or frozen dinners have to do. Is there a way to combine
healthy eating with convenience?
Yes! New methods of cooking and easy to prepare staples can
change your eating habits and lead to a better eating style for
your family. According to the 'Kid's Health' Program created by
the Nemours Foundation, family meals are an important part of
developing healthy habits in your kids. Eating as a family will
encourage your kids to eat healthy foods like whole grains and
vegetables. It will discourage unhealthy snacking and even make
them less likely to try smoking, alcohol or marijuana.
But how do you plan healthy family meals on a tight schedule?
Here are some ideas to start:
Does your family love lasagna? Maybe you thought that it was a
labor intensive dish that just doesn't fit your lifestyle. Cheesy
and full of fat, perhaps it's not even a wise choice. However,
lasagna is actually one of the most versatile meals to prepare -
and with instant (no boil) noodles, it doesn't even have to be a
big job.
There are lasagna recipes for vegetarians, low-carb, low-fat and
even diabetic diets. Lasagna noodles now come in instant, no-cook
preparations that cut time and energy when making this hearty
dish.
For lasagna or other pasta dishes, try using whole wheat pasta
and shredding carrots or zucchini into the meat sauce for an easy
way to up the nutritional value. Using lean ground beef or even
substituting with ground turkey or chicken can make for a
surprising, yet nourishing result. Buy bottled pasta sauces for
even faster preparation - many grocers carry a wide assortment
that will add variety to your dishes.
Looking for an elegant chicken dinner? Don't forget about frozen
skinless chicken breasts. Baked in the oven with a dollop of
salsa and shredded cheddar on top makes for a healthy alternative
to frying or heavy sauces.
Need ideas for a side dish? Why are you wasting time cutting and
washing lettuce when you can pick up a prepackaged bag at the
grocers? Not to say it's the cheapest method, but it definitely
helps busy families put nutrition ahead of convenience when
planning a meal.
Have you ever tried steaming vegetables in the microwave? Fresh
or frozen veggies make for another easy side dish when they're
popped into the microwave for a few minutes. Add a couple
tablespoons of water and cover with a paper towel, an easy AND
healthy alternative to frying or boiling.
We're all concerned about our children eating healthier foods.
Regular family meals will encourage kids to develop healthy
eating habits - an important key to good health later in life. By
making meal time less stressful you can focus on the joys of
spending time together instead of the hassles of preparing
meals.
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