Imagine life with three or more kids, all involved in extracurricular activities well into the evening — and maybe one spouse travels. It’s unlikely there’s much time for meal prep and family dinners during the week. The reality for many families is that some nights there is barely a half-hour for dinner. Luckily there are some easy hacks to help provide healthy meals and snacks anyway.
Variety is key to keeping meals healthy and fresh, so look for ways to update the classics to make them healthier and keep them easy. Peanut butter and jelly can use different nut butters, whole fresh fruit slices, and nutritious bread. Mac and cheese, which can be packed with calories, can take a variety of cheeses and and sneaked-in vegetables such as zucchini or broccoli, and chicken for protein.
Salads are never easy to get a kid to eat, but if you deconstruct them with the components that they do like, this is the perfect way to turn them on to eating healthy and trying new things. For example, a bento box approach using fruits, vegetables, or nuts kids already enjoy as snacks.
Several snacks add up to one delicious and nutritious meal. Think small portions of olives, carrots and celery with dip, berries, nuts, hummus and crackers, cheese, tuna, avocado, dark chocolate. Your children can guide you or even help you create this lunch option.
Read the full interview on the Cheapism Blog on healthy meal hacks here.
Eat healthy! Be happy! Xo Nicolette
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