Healthy food kids will love

Healthy food kids will love

It always feels great to watch your child polish off a healthy, home-cooked meal, so we've chosen our favourites for the whole family to enjoy together.


Feeding children can be one of the most satisfying but also one of the most stressful parts of parenting – and it's not uncommon to get embroiled in a fearsome stand-off at mealtimes. So, to avoid the meltdowns, we've cooked up some sneaky ideas for giving kids the foods they love, packed full of the nutrients they need, from breakfast to dessert, with help from our nutritionist Kerry Torrens.

Healthy food kids will love

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Make the best of breakfast

It goes without saying, but setting your child up for the day with a healthy breakfast will make you both feel good. Something filling and fibrous should get the digestive system going, keep kids full until lunch and help sustain their concentration and mood. Try serving porridge with a side portion of blueberries or chopped banana for an extra boost of vitamins and minerals, and there'll be plenty of fun stirring the colours in.

Some children are less keen to eat first thing – if that’s the case tempt them with an egg served with soldiers for dipping or whizz up a yogurt-based smoothie for a satisfying combination of protein, carbs and valuable hydration.

• Dippy eggs with Marmite soldiers


• Avocado & strawberry smoothie


• Apple & sultana porridge


• Peanut butter & banana on toast


• Berry bircher


• Melon & crunchy bran pots

Perfect pasta

Pasta provides a good source of energy, plus it makes a great base for sneaking in all sorts of ingredients like tofu or spinach that may not normally be on your little one's list of favourites. You can also cram in their full five-a-day with our clever pasta sauce recipes.

• Meatballs with hidden veg sauce


• 5-a-day Bolognese


• Layered rainbow salad pots


• Tofu & spinach cannelloni


• Creamy ham, leek & mushroom spaghetti


• Pesto chicken kebabs with roasted veg pasta

Family time

There is always a temptation to pack the kids full of vegetables and homemade fare, then munch on some toast when they're tucked up in bed. After all, who isn't shattered once the day's work is done? That's why these family meals are designed to suit everyone from toddlers to teens, so you won't be making an excess of different meals (or have an excess of washing-up).

All the meals are freezable, too, so make a couple in advance, or double up your portions and you won't have to reach for a naughty ready meal in times of crisis.

• Easy beef stew with sweet potato topping


• Easy lamb tagine


• Chicken & vegetable casserole


• Easy fish cakes

Fish for thought

It’s worth remembering that we should all be eating more fish – ideally two or more portions a week with one being the oily variety like salmon, trout and sardines. Oily fish supply the healthy fats known as omega-3, which are important for our brain, nervous system and heart. If your child isn't one of those who loves nothing more than mackerel, then these recipes are great for filling them with healthy fresh fish, rich in omega-3, and they'll still feel like they're tucking into something special. They're sure to enjoy speedy homemade fish fingers or salmon and ginger fish cakes – and you can even throw in some sweet potato chips.

• Salmon & spaghetti parcel


• Easy fish pie


• Salmon & ginger fishcakes


• Fish fingers & mushy peas


• Prawn & cod cakes


• Classic chunky fish cakes

Super soup

Freshly made soups make a great freezer staple for quick lunchtime meals. Try serving some of the classics with toast soldiers, vegetable crudités and let your child sprinkle on yogurt and seeds to keep them digging in double-quick. This lentil soup is packed full of pulses and sweetened with grated apple and sweet potato. Simply adjust the curry powder depending on your child's tastes.

Sweet potato & lentil soup

A creamy yet silky tomato soup has to be the ultimate comfort food after a long day at school.

Real tomato soup

Perfect for sneaking in an abundance of courgettes and the cheesy topping on this soup is often a winner with kids.

Courgette, potato & cheddar soup

Curry in a hurry

Experimenting with different flavours is a brilliant part of developing your child's tastes and these healthy, mild dishes make a great starting point for introducing them to spicier food:

• Child-friendly Thai chicken noodles


• Easy butter chicken


• Mumbai potato wraps with minted yogurt relish


• Creamy veggie korma


• Chicken & sweet potato curry

Fast food

Putting something speedy on the plate is often a priority with kids of any age, but fast food doesn't have to mean food that is high in fat, salt and sugar. Simple ingredients like eggs, pulses and beans can quickly be transformed into a delicious and nutritious supper.

Omelettes

Omelettes can make great finger food for younger children if you cut it into strips. And of course it can be whipped up in no time, using whatever fillings you have to hand in the fridge. Here's some inspiration:

• Melting tomato & basil omelette


• Toddler recipe: Mini egg & veg muffins


• Ricotta, tomato & spinach frittata


• Spinach & courgette frittata


• Potato & paprika tortilla

Burgers

It should be easy to get the kids to the table for a burger. Try out some of these healthy recipes that feel like a cheeky takeaway, but are actually packed with nutrients.

• Mushroom & chickpea burger


• Turkey burgers with beetroot relish


• Skinny Thai burgers

Pizza

Whipping up homemade pizza bases is much simpler than you think. Let the kids experiment with decorating their own using healthy toppings which also count towards their 5-a-day. This makes mealtime fun and the end products are bound to be a hit with the whole family. Pizza-inspired dishes are always popular so stir up a little interest with a pizza omelette or a pizza-topped baked potato...

• BBQ chicken pizza


• Caramelised onion & goat's cheese pizza


• Cajun prawn pizza


• Super-healthy pizza


• Pizza omelette


• Pizza baked potatoes

Do the kids get peckish between meals? Try whipping up healthy, speedy snacks like these:

• Smashed bean dip


• Lemon & coriander hummus


• Gingerbread bites

Treats & desserts

If you want to give the kids something a bit special for dessert, but don't want it to be packed full of sugar, then these fruit-packed puds might be just the thing.

• Juicy Lucy pudding


• Frozen fruit sticks with passion fruit & lime drizzle


• Frozen strawberry yogurt

Want more inspiration on cooking with children? Discover our guide to cooking with kids by age and top 10 tips for cooking with kids.

What's your go-to healthy family meal? Let us know in the comments below...