As we embark on our attempt to improve our fitness and nutrition, we should take a look at what the kids are eating.
Breakfasts: My kids eat cold cereal most mornings at daycare. When we are home, they both really like oatmeal. I keep frozen blueberries on hand to cool it down quickly. We've also tried oatmeal smoothies, which have gone over pretty well. On Sundays before church they have Kashi cereal bars and a banana. They are easy and not messy!
Lunch: Five days a week, lunch is not my problem! On the weekends, we usually have sandwiches. Peanut butter and jelly or grilled cheese with fruit on the side. We keep it reasonably healthy by using whole wheat bread, all-fruit spread, natural peanut butter, and cheddar cheese (not American).
Dinner: The rule around here is that the kids eat what we eat. Sometimes that means we eat "kid" food, but most times it means the kids eat "adult" food. When I make our menu plan, I try to choose one vegetable (broccoli, green beans, or peas), one lean protein (chicken, beans, lentils, usually) and one whole grain (brown rice, wheat bread or pizza crust) Remember that our bodies are designed to eat more in the morning than in the evening--kids usually have the right idea by eating a lot of breakfast and not so much dinner.
I'm no gourmet cook, but I have found that menu planning is the key to mealtime success. The other key is to remember that kids won't starve themselves--just keep offering and they will eat!
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