Archive for the ‘Children’ Category
What do kids really want to eat?
October 10 2013
We get asked all the time here at MealEasy if we have any “kid friendly meals”. And to be honest, we’re often at a loss on how to answer this question.
What defines a “kid friendly meal”?
- Is it something nutritious?
Then yes we have those. - Is it something quick to prepare?
Yes, we have those meals too. - Is it something straight out of a package or from a fast food joint?
Then NO; those we don’t have.
This awesome video explains how we’ve been coerced into believing that sugar coated cereals and fat laden burgers and fries are what every kid wants. It’s great viewing and may change your mind about what is a “kid friendly meal”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWOcP-bXuO8
Habits of Healthy Eaters
July 16 2013
Getting kids to eat vegetables can be frustrating at the best of times. Blending kale to hide it in a soup is one way, but an easier way may be to involve them in planning, shopping and cooking delicious family meals.
Young children love to role play “parents” and if given the chance to plan a lunch or supper, they might pleasantly surprise you with their culinary creativity.
The MealEasy online meal planning app is an easy and fun way for kids to feel proud about the food they eat. They can select meals that look good, contain ingredients they like and generate an organized grocery list to help mom and dad shop in the store. Children, especially tweens and teens, can surf through the recipes and select favorites that they enjoy making and eating.
A Little Planning Goes a Long Way
Building healthy eating habits early in their lives ensures children will get the most from their bodies and live life to the fullest, one carrot stick at a time. After all, being healthy is about making a choice to live a healthy lifestyle. One with moderation, exercise, and of course, a little planning.
Get started today at www.mealeasy.com and Taste the Good Life.
Watch Haile’s speech at TEDxKids @BC, “There’s a Gourmet Chef in Every Child”
Spring is Near – Grow Fresh!
March 06 2013
Even if you’ve never gardened before or you think you don’t have a green thumb, growing your own food can be simple and economical. A huge bonus for your bank account!
Despite what most people think , you don’t need large plot of land to grow a kitchen garden. All you need is soil, light and the ability to water the plants on a regular basis. Growing herbs on a windowsill, in pots on your veranda, or hanging tomato baskets from your balcony is an easy way to cut your food bills.
Cooking with fresh herbs adds wonderful flavor to most dishes but buying a bunch of thyme when you know that you only need a small amount of chopped thyme can sometimes be wasteful. Growing thyme, basil, cilantro and other herbs can be easy, fun and a money saver.
Children who grow up learning about the connection between growing food and eating food, have a better understanding of the importance of a healthy, nutrient rich diet. Get the kids involved and let them have their own indoor garden pots.
Check out this site for more information on growing your own herbs indoors: Container gardening
MealEasy puts kids in the Driver Seat
February 27 2013
Chinese style noodles with chicken
One of the best ways to introduce children to new cuisines is to try new dishes in the comfort of your own home. Children are curious and love to explore new things. Making it fun by letting them choose the country not only gets them involved, but puts them in charge.
Kids love being in the driver’s seat. When children are involved in the healthy What’s for Dinner? decision, they will learn to make better choices and be proud to be part of the solution.
MealEasy offers many cuisine options including Chinese, Greek, Italian, Mexian, Middle Eastern and so much more.
Take a stroll around the world with MealEasy. Explore new foods, and have fun with your children.
Healthy Snacks for Kids
January 02 2013
The key to healthy eating for children is learning good eating habits early in life. Most young children graze and snack throughout the day. But is what they are eating good for them? Are they learning healthy habits?
Limit empty calories
Children will ask for food that is marketed directly towards them, such as fast food, candy and foods with empty calories. But by limiting the junk food that gives them empty calories and contributes to restlessness and sugar-rushes, you can help them learn good habits.
Children learn at a young age how food makes them feel. Comfort food such as homemade soup, homeade breads and healthy snacks will give children the association of goodness with good food. After all, junk food is loaded of fat, calories, sugar and salt and do not contribute to a child’s overall nutrition. Rather, they fill their tummies full of nothing, help them choose goodness over junk.
Give Unhealthy Snacks the Boot
Stocking up on sugary drinks and unhealthy lunch box snacks because they are on sale does not bring savings. In fact, if children are raised with unhealthy eating habits, they will continue throughout their life struggling with health issues. Giving your children healthy eating habits at an early age is a precious gift.
Here are a few healthy snack ideas to add to your child’s lunch box:
• Whole grain toast with low-fat cheese spread
• Veggie mixture of sweet corn, snow peas, peas, carrots, cucumber
• Yogurt, preferably natural without added sugar
• Cut up mixed fruit
• Homemade whole grain biscuits – add finely grated apple, cheese, carrots before baking.
• Raw vegetables such as carrots, or baby carrots.
• Dried fruit such as raisins, prunes, apricots, banana
• Seeds and nuts (please follow nut policies in schools and daycare)
• Eggs, scrambled, boiled, mashed
• Salads with healthy salad dressings
• Cherry or grape tomatoes
• Whole fruit such as a pear, apple, plum, grapes, orange
It’s that time of year
August 23 2012
Summer is coming to an end and that means that the school year is about to begin.
If you have school aged children, then you’re already fretting about school lunches. What do you make that’s healthy, nutritious and that they’ll actually eat. The last bit is sometimes the hardest.
This article brings up an excellent point: “If you want them to eat it, don’t pack the stuff they don’t like,” says Joanne Saab, a registered dietitian who works in pediatric nutrition at McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton. “They will not eat it if you’re not there.”
I’m a big fan of leftovers for lunches; there’s nothing easier than packing up what’s left from last night’s dinner. But I do understand that for a lot of kids leftovers just don’t cut it. The MealEasy meal planner has many simple, nutritious and kid friendly lunch suggestions; everything from sandwiches to pasta salads to soups.
Try out some new ideas for lunches before the kids head back to school, either as a meal at home or as small samples to see if your kids might enjoy these items in their lunches. And remember to include some fruit and some vegetables in the lunch…and most importantly, if they’re not going to eat it then don’t give it to them.