Help with Dinner

M

mich23

Cathlete
Hello all:

I am a relatively healthy eater. I pretty much eat the same thing everyday:

breakfast - bowl of healthy cereal
snack - powerbar
lunch - tuna and fruit
snack - yogurt and almonds

Then, I fall apart. I have two small kids and a husband that want dinner.

What can a fix that they will ALL eat and will be healthy? Any suggestions? I hate it that I am focused all day on eating well and then I blow it every evening.

Thanks,
Michelle
 
To be honest, at this point, it isn't going to be about what the kids like. I've been guilty of feeding them "kid" food -- so they like pizza, hotdogs, etc.

I think it is time that I start making them eat "grown up" food. And if they are going to have to change the way they eat, it might as well be HEALTHY grown up food.

Just like all of you - I'm busy - I get home from work, throw in pasta and bread -- and before you know it my entire day of eating healthy is ruined.

We love chicken - but get bored of it. We love pasta - how do you eat that without eating 2 pounds?? And why does frozen pizza have to be so easy to make?? ugh!! :)

Michelle
 
I don't have specific recipes, just a couple of ideas.

Check out epicurious.com They have a section of healthy recipes. Also, I would get a subscription to Cooking Light magazine. Great selection of stuff. Oxygen magazine also has a few recipes in each issue. I think Cooking Light will probably have the most family-friendly options.

Stuff that I make that I think kids would like:

Turkey chili
Turkey burgers
Black bean burritos (low fat sour cream and cheese)
English muffin (whole wheat) pizzas (for nights that you are eating really light - like a weekend after a big lunch)
Stir fry
Chicken breasts in a bunch of different variations
I know pasta is easy and a people-pleaser, but I stay away from it because I am terrible at controlling my portion size when I eat it!
 
My suggestion is to pick up an issue (or subscribe) to Cooking Light magazine. Tons of great recipes, all healthy (and the nutrition values are included with every recipe), and most recipes are pretty easy, straight forward and quick to prepare. There is definitely something for everyone in the family in each issue.
 
I see a serious lack of veggies on your list! How about a big salad with romaine or leaf lettuce and/or baby spinach; some red peppers; red onions (think variety and color). Add some walnuts or olives or avocado for good fats. That's a good start.

Pick up a book on healthy; fast meals (the comma on the computer I'm using isn't working!). Make extra and freeze what you can or use left-overs for lunch the next day.

Stir fries (you can use cooking sherry---the alcohol will burn off--or a mixture of sherry and a bit of oil instead of all oil) can also be a way to add veggies as would a big veggie soup (get a slow cooker to have the soup ready and waiting for you when you get home--I've got a slow cooker on my Xmas wish list and just ordered a couple of veggie slow cooker cookbooks).

You also have to go with the tastes of your family. Stop in a big bookstore and browse their healthy eating section and see if anything would appeal to your familiy's tastes.
 
I have managed to get my DH to eat healthier with me. I have all but eliminated the pasta from my meals. Instead, I use vegetables and stir fries and do alot of cauliflower and brocolli and make it in the microwave, steam it, with some low carb teriyaki sauce or another type of sauce or low fat cheese. We buy chicken cordon bleu and have veggies with that and sometimes rice. We also like fish and usually eat it with either rice or potato and veggies. Anything I would make with pasta, I do with vegetables instead. You can use spaghetti squash as a side dish which is yummy. I also love salads and have one every day for lunch. We have made grilled chicken salads for dinner.

Hope this helps a little.
 
It's difficult to change what you're used to cooking, but not difficult to eat healthier once you get started.

For entrees I fix chicken, Turkey, pork tenderloin, beef tenderloin, fish, steak and don't have to put a lot of work into it. For veggies, fresh is best but frozen veggies are better than canned.
 
Hi Michelle! I usually cook up dinners from Eating Well magazine. This one is much better than Cooking Light. They always have fast, easy meals to prepare & always healthy. Check out their website. HTH, Kathy:D
 
I slowly got my children to eat veggies with out them really knowing what hit them. It has taken time but they now eat almost any veggie. I started with giving them a few carrots with dip with every lunch they ate. If they wanted seconds on the main dish I made sure they ate there few carrots ( I might even start with one baby carrot if that is all they can handle). I then took them to the store and let them pick something else to add into there lunch regime. My younger one saw a package of snow peas with a picture of Popeye on it and wanted that. He now always wants "Popeye" food. We did this over and over until now they eat almost anything. (Yesterday we had a spinach salad with broccoli, snow peas, carrots, steamed green beans, and some others I can't think of with salmon on top) If they don't like it the first time keep giving it to them. My youngest didn't like anything but bread for a very long time. I just never gave up and always kept giving veggies to him. You also have to make it look appealing. Talk about how it will make them big and strong...that always seems to get there attention. Hope this helps a little
Sarah
 
Wow -- thanks for all the advice.

I love to cook -- and am pretty good at it -- but there is a reason why it tastes so good! (fat & calories!)

I was getting Cooking Light at one time -- however, Taste of Home magazine is my favorite, once again probably because of the rich foods.

Ok, I've made my New Years Resolution - I've started working out - I eat healthy for 3/4 of the day -- now if I can tackle this one final area (the evening meal) -- I should be feeling much better come Jan. 1, 2006!!

Michelle
 
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