What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

Because it seems like I have a different definition of "healthy" then some other people on this site.

I am very happy if my kids eat any of the following:

Pasta
Steak
Chicken dish that I make
Eggs
Ziti, Manicotti, Ravioli
Meatballs
Turkey burgers or turkey meatballs
Any veggies
Any fruits
Turkey and Cheese
Baked beans


I would be so excited if Jack would eat a sandwich. PB &J is like a dream to me. Turkey and cheese sandwich...I would jump up and down. Cream cheese and jelly - another one to make me do cartwheels. Any sandwich at all!

Jack does not eat anything on that list on a regular basis.

What do you consider to be healthy?

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

I consider a healthy meal to be one that is balanced, each food group represented and as much whole grain non fried food as possible.
I am very lucky that DS is not a picky eater (as of now) and he will pretty much eat most of the meals I put in front of him. Is it a little of a challenge to get him to eat protein, he definitely prefers his fruits and veggies!

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

I consider all of those things to be healthy also. The only sandwich DS will eat is sun butter & jelly- his daycare is peanut free. He hates coldcuts in all forms. But he does love fresh fruit & veggies, any kind if pasta, turkey burgers, turkey meatloaf, and sweet potatoes. So that is what I give him, and just hope that his pickiness goes away as he gets older!

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

I agree with you Diana. I try to make all DS's meals balanced. Everyday he'll have some sort of protein, fruits, & veg. Its hard to do it for every meal unless its leftover dinner he's having for lunch, but he likes sandwiches, turkey & cheese or cream cheese & jelly. He's not even a year old yet, so so far he likes everything I give him, except avocado. I just make sure I get those food groups in throughout all 3 meals and 2 snacks.

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

I'm pretty laid back but my idea of a healthy meal that DS will eat is:

Breakfast: cereal, pancakes, french toast, oatmeal or omelets & toast with fruit.

Lunch: hot or cold sandwich, pasta, leftovers or chicken nuggets and fruit (a veggie if you can get it in)

Dinner: meat, starch, vegetable and fruit. I usually get 3 out of 4, except when I serve broccoli or corn.

I'm OK with sometimes having not so healthy meals as long as there is healthy choices throughout the day --- vitamens, fruit, nuts, whole grain carbs.

ETA: I also think presenting the food as such is just as important as what they eat. Meaning, if Vincent doesn't want to eat the carrots, they have to stay on the plate until he finishes his dinner and I clean up. He doesn't have to eat them, but they have to stay there. I also eat 3 meals a day with him, sitting down at the table or in his playroom, we eat together, so he sees my plate and what is on it.
Some days he is picky, some days he's insatiable. But I try to be consistent with letting him see what a healthy meal looks like.

Message edited 11/8/2010 8:44:13 PM.

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

I guess my post set this off and I also think A LOT of people on here have a different view of a healthy meal.

I don't necessarily have exact example I just know that I try to avoid fast food. I try to limit the nuggets and french fries but only because I don't want him to only eat that if given the chance that would be his diet. I also try to limit the canned and microwaved food but use it when I'm in a crunch. I always try to give him some kind of fruit and vege and 3 cups of milk for the day.
If i had it my way He would eat everything ! and never told me no

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

Your list lokos good to me...I'd be happy if Lucas would eat half those things.

Lately it's a battle..he wants mac & cheese, hotdogs, chicken nuggets, bologna & cheese sandwiches and lately he's been eating cheese quesadillas (low carb wraps cause that's all I have).

He tells me the only vegetable he likes is corn



And then I look at his ribs when his shirt is off and think 'EAT! Whatever you want just EAT'

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

I don't consider any kind of red meat healthy. DS is so picky and won't eat it anyway. also heavy cheesy dishes like baked ziti, or baked ravioli are not healthy. DS eats a lot of pasta, lot of veggies, chicken, whole wheat breads and bagels., eggs, and fruit. he is a PITA when it comes to eating

just like Ang-rich just said, my DS ribs sticking out I wish he would eat a meatball or something like that

Message edited 11/8/2010 9:20:26 PM.

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

nothing fried

I used to give them chicken nuggets when it was convenient but DH really struggles with is weight and as soon as they became more aware with what they were eating he put the kaboosh on all fast food. He doesn't want them even knowing what mcdonalds is. I think anything steamed is great, we do tons of steamed veggies and chicken with a little EVOO and salt and pepper. I don't know, it's so hard with kids - I am lucky they eat well, but it's still hard to change the variety.

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

I like color.
When I make a meal for him, if it lacks color, then I add it throughout the day.

lunch was
apple with pb
carrots and ranch
mandarian oranges
celery
brown rice

I don't like wasting time on proteins. I make it, if he eats it great, if not, i will get it in the next meal.
I think we are over protein'ed. I am fine if he eats beans, pb, and a meat in a day.

but to me color takes it

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

whole grains, fruit, veggies, yogurt, fish, tofu, beans, hummus. not processed, not fried.

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

anything that includes natural ingredients, a veggie and/or fruit, and some protien.

NOTHING fried or processed.

I also don't look at each meal separately but rather what was eaten over the whole day.

And if he doesn't enjoy it, it was NOT successful.

Message edited 11/8/2010 9:33:38 PM.

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

Whole grains, fruits, veggies, lean proteins, healthy fats, etc.
She'll eat a homemade turkey burger (the 97% fat free ground meat) on a whole wheat bun with peas and carrots
Or whole wheat pasta with a homemade tomato sauce or whole wheat pasta with broccoli and a little bit of olive oil, lemon and chicken broth over it.
Or a frittata made with eggs, light cheddar cheese, spinach and red potatoes.
I bake sliced chicken breasts that have been dredged in bread crumbs and bake slices of yams for fries and chicken fingers. She dips in apple sauce.

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

I am very lucky my girls eat whatever I give them even if they don't really like it they eat it. I have always made their food.

I give them waffles, banana pancakes,yo baby yogurt, broccoli pancakes.

Peas, Avocado, stringbeans, pears, apples,

grilled chicken, beef, pasta, turkey meatloaf,turkey meatballs

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

actual food, nothing processed and out of a box

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

I think your list is perfectly normal!! Sounds like Joey's! Tonight he was throwing chicken on the floor, I can't win at his moment in time, so any food is good to me

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

Posted by VTTG0609

I guess my post set this off and I also think A LOT of people on here have a different view of a healthy meal.

I don't necessarily have exact example I just know that I try to avoid fast food. I try to limit the nuggets and french fries but only because I don't want him to only eat that if given the chance that would be his diet. I also try to limit the canned and microwaved food but use it when I'm in a crunch. I always try to give him some kind of fruit and vege and 3 cups of milk for the day.
If i had it my way He would eat everything ! and never told me no

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

Whole foods. Not processed. Whole grains. Lots of veggies, and fruits. Lean proteins. Good fats. I agree with the other ladies lots of color, not out of a box, not fried, etc...

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

To me if the meal contains protein, I am happy. I try to keep his meals balanced and minimally processed.

DS will eat veggies until the end of time, but I have a very tough time with meats.

Tonight he had greek yogurt, raw carrots/peppers/celery and roasted kale for dinner.

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

Protein
Carb
Veggie
Fruit or yogurt

I try to get them to eat that at every meal. Now that they are almost 2 they are definitely more picky then when they were little. You do what you can you know?

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

At this point, if she'll eat it, I consider it healthy because it means she's not starving herself.

She eats:
macaroni and cheese
pizza bagels
chicken nuggets (sometimes)
french fries (sometimes)
grilled cheese
salami
toast
tuna fish (sometimes)
strawberries
broccoli

And that's pretty much it.

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

I think there is a difference between a healthy well balanced meal and being happy your child ate something other than crap.

My kids are so hard to feed. I am thrilled they will eat pasta with meat sauce. Healthy enough for me b/c it's not a nugget or a goldfish.

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

Re: What do you consider to be a healthy meal for a child?

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by Palebride

At this point, if she'll eat it, I consider it healthy because it means she's not starving herself.

She eats:
macaroni and cheese
pizza bagels
chicken nuggets (sometimes)
french fries (sometimes)
grilled cheese
salami
toast
tuna fish (sometimes)
strawberries
broccoli

And that's pretty much it.

It's so funny what they choose to eat. Jack is super super picky and would not eat half the things Lily eats.

He eats:
chicken nuggets
sweet potato fries
pizza
baked beans
corn
french toast sticks
oatmeal
cheerios
steak

That's about it. Randomly he'll eat my Aunt's Ziti - but not mine

He will eat a ton of fruit though. This morning alone he ate THREE apples