Helping Children Appreciate A Nutritious Meal
Posted: Saturday, May 26, 2007
by Christine Steendahl
Dine Without Whine
Many may recall when classroom bulletin boards displayed the food pyramid. The pyramid – there was only one. One size fit all. Everyone needed to follow the same nutritional guidelines. Everyone was supposed to merely glance at the pyramid and find out how many servings were needed each day.
Most would agree that it is a great thing that obsolete food pyramid has gone by the wayside! It may have taken a while, but the idea that not all people require the same food intake finally caught on. Nor are children expected to follow the same nutritional guidelines as the adults.
Remember balance is the name of the game. Ensure that your little ones are consuming fruits and vegetables, dairy, meats and beans and grains every day. Then top it off with water, fresh air and exercise. To help you get started, below you will find a couple of nutritious meals for little ones.
This turkey avocado sandwich wrap uses kid-friendly ingredients for a healthy lunch or snack.
INGREDIENTS:
• Whole wheat tortillas
• 1 avocado mashed
• Sliced deli turkey
• Shredded carrots
• Shredded lettuce
• Shredded Monterey jack cheese
PREPARATION:
Prepare wraps in the following order: Spread mashed avocado on tortilla; Sprinkle shredded carrots and lettuce on avocado; Lay on slices of deli turkey; Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
In addition, you won't get any looks of disappointment if you inform the little ones you're making chicken nuggets for dinner. This kid favorite is just as good in the low-fat, oven-baked version. For easy clean-up and extra crispiness, lay a sheet of foil on a cookie sheet; and, then place a wire rack on top of the foil.
INGREDIENTS:
• skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut in 1-2 inch pieces
• non-fat or low-fat buttermilk
• flour for dredging
• finely chopped corn flakes for dredging
• salt and pepper to taste
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 375. Prepare three large bowls for dredging chicken - 1 with flour seasoned with salt and pepper, 1 with buttermilk, and 1 with crushed corn flakes. Prepare baking pan by laying a sheet of foil over a cookie sheet; and then place a wire rack on top of the foil. Season chicken with salt and cut into 1-2 inch pieces.
Drag chicken pieces in flour. Shake off excess flour and coat with buttermilk. Next, generously coat chicken with corn flakes, and place on rack of your baking pan. Bake nuggets for 15 minutes. These keep well for the next day's lunch box so make plenty!
The next time you go to the pantry or freezer to grab something simple to make for dinner, take a good analytical look at the ingredients. The goal is not to serve food that is adequate but instead food that is nutritious. Remember that not all of your little ones may need the same servings of food.
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