Back to school the healthy way
Carrots, broccoli and peas need not be your children’s worst enemies. Trying to feed kids fruit and vegetables – or in other words, anything other than junk food – has become a crusade of sorts for parents. Supermarkets cheerfully stock and announce the arrival of a dozen ready-to-cook meals, all bursting with unsaturated fats and obscene amounts of sugar. And in today’s fast-paced world, it seems easier to whip up a burger for lunch and dinner instead of an elaborate three-course meal with a wide selection of vegetables. The times, thankfully, are a changin’. Parents need not fear healthy food preparation any longer. With a little bit of planning, you can plan menus in advance, cook up delicious dinners, and keep junk food far away from the dinner table.
As far as meal preparation is concerned, the hardest part is making enough time. Start off with breakfast – you can seldom go wrong with cereal. Oatmeal is the best, and you can jazz it up with raisins, nuts and honey. Treats could include a banana and peanut butter smoothie. You should capitalise on what’s left of summer and its treats for lunches and dinners. Potato salads are easy to whip up, as are pasta salads. A zucchini and tomato quiche would spin something extra with the veggies. Buying some rye bread is a good idea – you can make delicious, healthy sandwiches any time. Egg salad and tuna fish, and sometimes for a treat – avocado and smoked salmon.
Jamie Oliver need not be the only one revolutionising what kids eat today – you can start your own campaign too. Feeding your children a hedgerow salad might be a bit of a stretch on the first go, but you can start small by introducing stir fries and build up from there. Treats can be saved for special occasions, so you can pack this year’s Christmas hamper chock full of goodies such as chocolates and scones, pies and tarts as a reward. Until then, the kitchen garden and the supermarket vegetable aisle could yield some pleasant surprises. Why not give them a go?.
