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How do you plan healthy family meals on a tight schedule
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.
1howto.com
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