Parents often feel like they are constantly having to rush to fit everything into a day. Usually, meal times seem the most hectic, especially when you are at your busiest. You just want to find a quick way to provide your child with a meal, but you also want to make sure to balance their nutritional needs.
While it might seem like fast, low-quality food is the only option when you are in a hurry, there are in fact healthy meal options that can be made quickly. For busy parents that want to make sure they are still providing healthy meals for kids, the following are a few quick meals that are easy to make, too.
Mac and Cheese with Veggies
Macaroni and cheese is a popular food for kids who are picky eaters, and it is also something you can make with little hassle. Along with being a quick and easy meal that most kids enjoy, mac and cheese is a versatile dish that offers many options for adding important nutrients.
If you have trouble getting your kids to eat all of their vegetables, you can easily mix them in with macaroni and cheese. As long as you chop them small enough or run them through the blender, you can add vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower and your kids won’t even know they are there.
Make Your Own Lunchables
Lunchables are a mealtime favorite for most young kids. That said, the prepackaged Lunchable meals at the supermarket tend to be loaded with preservatives and added sugar, so they could be more nutritious. If you want to give your kids this popular meal, you can make it healthier by assembling your own Lunchables.
It’s as simple as selecting your own high-quality lunch meats, natural cheeses, crackers, fruits, and vegetables. Just cuts the meats and cheeses small enough to fit on the crackers, and pack them alongside some sliced vegetables or pieces of fruit.
Banana Bites
If your child is lacking fiber and protein, bananas are a great option to give to your kids. By making small banana bites that they can eat with their hands, you can provide your little ones with a quick and easy healthy meal.
Simply spread peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla and then place the peeled banana in the center. Wrap it up and cut it into several bite-sized pieces and you have a healthy meal your kids will love.
If you want an alternative to peanut butter, consider using SunButter. SunButter is similar to peanut butter in both taste and texture, but it is made from sunflower seeds. It’s a nutritious spread that’s ideal for kids that have nut allergies.
Healthy Bagel Sandwich
Whole wheat bagels can be more than just a healthy breakfast for kids. With the right ingredients, you can make a nutritious bagel sandwich that kids will enjoy in a snap.
For example, you could mix some chopped fresh dill and blend it with whipped cream cheese. Spread the cream cheese on the two sides of the bagel, then add some sliced cucumber and put the sandwich together.
Veggies with Dip
Children will eat more veggies if they have a dip, so this can be a good way to get them to eat more fresh vegetables. You just need to find a good assortment of fresh sliced vegetables, and offer the kids a healthy dip to add some flavor.
Vegetables like carrot slices, red and green peppers, and cucumbers can be good options for dipping. If you are looking for a healthy dip, you could try things like hummus, white bean dip, or a light spinach and artichoke dip.
With everything parents have to juggle, preparing fast and healthy meals that kids will actually want to eat can seem almost impossible. These five recipe ideas prove that it’s not only possible, it’s easy.
