5 Better-for-You, Kid-Friendly Dinners
Kid-friendly meals are a necessity when you're a busy mother of two. Like other parents, I also want these creations to be healthy, fast and something I actually want to eat. Here are five recipes that cover all the bases.
Pizza (pictured above)
What little one would turn down handheld pizza? Experiment with different fillings and serve with a garden salad. Make extra and freeze so you’ve got dinner covered for another night as well.
Recipe: Pizza Pockets
Andrew Purcell
Soup
Soup is a smart way to introduce children to more veggies. Make a batch of this hearty soup in less than 25 minutes and pack up leftovers for lunchboxes.
Recipe: Ravioli and Vegetable Soup
Tara Donne, FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.
Pasta
Pasta is usually an easy sell in my house. Whole-grain varieties contain extra vitamins, minerals, and fiber — all things that growing bodies need. This one-pot wonder can be made ahead and stored in the fridge; after a quick trip to the oven, dinner is done.
Recipe: BLT Pasta Skillet
2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Fish
It can be challenging to get kids to eat more fish, but turning it into finger food can help a lot! Whole-grain breadcrumbs, cornmeal and a secret ingredient make a super-crispy coating that is baked, not fried. Serve fish with steamed broccoli and roasted sweet potatoes for a complete meal.
Recipe: Homemade Frozen Fish Sticks
Chicken
Make chicken more exciting. This four-ingredient recipe is loaded with muscle-building protein and takes about only an hour to bake.
Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition.
Related Links: