What do your kids eat for dinner?

AZ123 · May 2013

I need easy dinner ideas for the kids.

smiling76 · May 2013

You seriously need to get your kids to eat what YOU guys eat. It's good for them and better for you. Even when DS1 who had MAJOR allergies to foods for the first 4 years--I made sure that I was cooking ONE meal for all of us. Even if that meant we all ate allergy free (for the most part). I would adapt what I needed (like pulling something out for him from the meal before moving forward)--but tried to make it as easy as possible.

The more they eat like an adult, the better pallets they'll have later in life.

cecilyandgautam · May 2013

Whatever we eat. My easiest & quickest dinner: pan grilled chicken with roasted veggies. Done in 30 minutes or less!

I also make cauliflower-based pizza with tons of veggie toppings, taco bowls, coconut curry with roasted veggies instead of rice, carrot ginger soup (DD loves this!). If DH & I don't feel up for making ourselves a proper dinner, then we might just eat cheese and fruit for dinner, while we'll give DD yogurt topped with fresh fruit or shredded cheese and fruit. It's not awesome, but it's healthier than most lazy meals.

AZ123 · May 2013

You're right about them eating what we're eating. The thing is that DH and i really like spicy and flavorful food and it seems too intense for the kids.

salt78 · May 2013

Whatever I'm eating. When it's a really rushed night I will just do something fast like grab a rotisserie chicken at the store and steam up a veggie to go with it with something like brown rice as another side. It does not get easier than that.

ETA: I also like my food really spicy so a lot of times I'll prepare things where I can add the heat later on after I separate out her portion.

aeh72 · May 2013

I agree with pps about trying to get the kids to eat what we eat; unfortunately, though, that does not always work for us with our schedules. By the time DH gets home form work, it's almost bedtime for DS. So, sometimes DS will eat our leftovers from the night before but when I need to make something for him, it's usually something I've made ahead and then I reheat it for him. Things like turkey meatballs or various chicken dishes and then I give him some steamed veggies and some rice. I've found lots of good recipes on weelicious.com for things I can make in bulk and put in the freezer and pull out an individual serving.

cecilyandgautam · May 2013

AZ123:
You're right about them eating what we're eating. The thing is that DH and i really like spicy and flavorful food and it seems too intense for the kids.

Ah, I see what you mean. We eat a ton of curry and we toned it down when we were first introducing solids but now DD can eat most of what we eat, even when it's spicy. If it's grilled chicken, could you make a less spicy piece or half of piece for the kids? If you're making a saute, could you do half spice for the whole dish, take out a portion for the kids before it's done, and then spice up the rest for yourselves?

dizzycooks · May 2013

DD eats what we eat. I cook a lot of the starts for our meals on the weekend so if there's a real rush I may just give her grilled chicken instead of the more complicated meal I'll make DH and I, but that's rare.

I also sometimes pull hers early if i am adding nuts because I can't send nuts to daycare, but she gets what we get.

smiling76 · May 2013

AZ123:
You're right about them eating what we're eating. The thing is that DH and i really like spicy and flavorful food and it seems too intense for the kids.

Got it. In that case, if I make something too spicy, I'll take out some for them before adding in all the spices. Doesn't work for all meals, but a lot.

azuremama · May 2013

Most of the time, we all eat the same thing and I try to make sure there's at least one thing the kids will eat on the menu. I think it's good to get them used to not eating just "kid foods."

Sometimes I want to make something for DH and I that I know the kids don't like, or I make them their own meal for other reasons (like if DH and I are going out to dinner and we've got a babysitter). Both my kids like whole wheat pasta with marinara sauce and meatballs (I buy costco frozen ones or sometimes make them and freeze them). They also like tacos, bean burritos, english muffin pizzas. DS would eat a quesadilla every night of his life. Sandwiches are quick and easy. Salmon burgers (again from costco). Homemade sloppy joes or bbq chicken/pork sandwiches. Breakfast for dinner.

hoping4sticky · May 2013

Freely admit that the picky eating thing seemed much easier before having kids, and of course I have a picky eater. She still get some version of what we are having. I may deconstruct it because she doesn't like things that are mixed/touching. Often though, she doesn't eat dinner. There is something on her plate that she will eat if hungry enough and she is allowed to have fruit after dinner as a snack. If she actually tries everything on her plate she can choose to have pb&j if she doesn't like her meal, she also gets dessert if she actually tries all of her food. I do meal plan so that we have a 'real' dinner almost every night.

As for spicy things, DH and I had sriacha or texas pete at the table, we tone it down a little bit or I will add some greek yogurt to the kids to tone down things like curry/chili. I also cook with less salt for the kids so sometimes I sneak some more salt onto my food.

mgrulke · May 2013

AZ123:
You're right about them eating what we're eating. The thing is that DH and i really like spicy and flavorful food and it seems too intense for the kids.

Can you make two batches or add the seasonings after it is cooked?

ferris0906 · May 2013

My 15 month old eats whatever we are eating for dinner (maybe slightly modified or supplemented depending on what it is). That said, sometimes dinner is not ready for him because we tend to eat late, so there basics like sandwich makings, fish sticks, fruit, etc around the house.

shannm · May 2013

We all eat the same dinner and I do consider them when I plan. I try to make sure there is at least one item my son will eat. Some of the things in my rotation are:
spaghetti/ravioli and salad
turkey Cobb salad
shrimp and sausage with saffron rice
brisket, sweet potato fries and broccoli
Fish, rice, and peas
Chicken and veggies

jroth33470 · May 2013

Let them try it. Mine eats salsa, spicy guac and well seasoned(garlic, onion, red pepper flakes) stuff. He never gets a bellyache.

honeybee111 · May 2013

For the most part, DD eats what we eat. She doesn't like spicy food either(she's tried it and didn't like it). DH and I don't eat super spicy, but I will set aside a portion of food for her before adding spice to it. DD is a really good eater most of the time, but she has gone through picky phases. Her go-to meal if she doesn't want what we are having is a cheese/avocado quesadilla on a wheat tortilla. It takes me like 2 minutes to make, and is pretty healthy.

MammaBear81 · May 2013

smiling76:
You seriously need to get your kids to eat what YOU guys eat. It's good for them and better for you. Even when DS1 who had MAJOR allergies to foods for the first 4 years--I made sure that I was cooking ONE meal for all of us. Even if that meant we all ate allergy free (for the most part). I would adapt what I needed (like pulling something out for him from the meal before moving forward)--but tried to make it as easy as possible.

The more they eat like an adult, the better pallets they'll have later in life.

ALL of this. We make one meal for everyone, and they eat it.

nosoup4u · May 2013

DS1 is a lot pickier than DS2. We usually plan for meals that DS1 will eat part of, or things that can be cooked/separated/deconstructed (i.e. not really making more work for the cook). If all else fails, scrambled/hard boiled eggs or yogurt is easy and filling.

AsOctoberFalls · May 2013

Another "he eats what we eat." Last night it was pulled chicken with roasted red pepper sauce, sauteed broccolini, and kale/broccoli slaw salad with poppyseed dressing. He tried one bite of the broccolini, spit out the kale, and ate most of his chicken. This is pretty standard. Sometimes he refuses to even try things. He woke up pretty hungry this morning.

dglvrk2 · May 2013

aeh72:
I agree with pps about trying to get the kids to eat what we eat; unfortunately, though, that does not always work for us with our schedules. By the time DH gets home form work, it's almost bedtime for DS. So, sometimes DS will eat our leftovers from the night before but when I need to make something for him, it's usually something I've made ahead and then I reheat it for him. Things like turkey meatballs or various chicken dishes and then I give him some steamed veggies and some rice. I've found lots of good recipes on weelicious.com for things I can make in bulk and put in the freezer and pull out an individual serving.

Yes

This!

DD has a snack at DC at 3 pm. She's ready to eat about 6. DH doesn't get home from work until after 6 and we both like to work out after work. One plays with DD while the other runs, goes for a bike ride etc.

We often eat after she goes to bed. 8ish

That being said, I'm not an on-demand chef. I offer DD whatever we are eating later, or leftovers. There's lots of stuff I cook in bulk that keeps for a few days. In addition to our meals, DD often gets cooked carrots and plain whole wheat pasta. If she doesn't eat what I offer her, she doesn't eat. period. It's never been a problem. If she's really hungry, she'll eat something on her plate.

Her "dessert" is yogurt. No matter how she eats at dinner, she gets her yogurt around 7, before we start bedtime rutine.

I've learned you need to do what's easiest for you. Big Smile

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