Are your children picky eaters? Well, we have this list of meal prep ideas you can use for the entire week that your kids will love. You don’t have to worry about them not eating after getting these delicious ideas.
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Meal Prep, It’s Not Just For Adults
1. Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Bars
Perfect for those who want to eat healthier but don’t have the time or energy in the morning to cook. Make them ahead of time and pop one in your bag on the way out the door. Flavorful, moist, almost cake-like, and a great way to use up apples that you may have around the house.
2. Apricot-Peach Smoothie
A great way to sneak in nutrition is in the form of delicious smoothies. Big fruit flavor from the peaches and apricots helps to mask the flavors of carrots in the background. A delicious and immunity-boosting way to start the day or give your child a sweet mid-afternoon boost that you don’t have to feel guilty about.
3. Zucchini Pizza Casserole
Almost everyone loves pizza but this recipe gives it a healthy twist by using nutritious, tender zucchini as the crust. However, all the other classic pizza flavors are there such as cheese, pepperoni, tomato sauce, so your child might not even notice the difference at all.
4. Sweet Potato Mac & Cheese
Not too many kids in this world can resist a steamy bowl of macaroni and cheese but no way is that going to fly as an everyday thing. However, with a few changes, you can both be happy with this as part of a meal prep plan. Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber and form the base of the sauce and this recipe uses only about half the cheese of traditional macaroni and cheese.
5. Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole
You can easily take a recipe from unhealthy to healthy with just a few changes here and there. This recipe takes advantage of using reduced-fat soup, fat-free milk, and shredded vegetables that will blend themselves in the background. These little changes will make a big difference in the fat content and caloric numbers and is a great meal prep idea.
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6. Chocolate Zucchini Brownies
The recipe itself may raise an eyebrow but trust us, the zucchini in this recipe is almost undetectable once the brownies have been baked. Also, this recipe couldn’t be easier to make.
One pan is all you need to cook and prepare your batter, no need for multiple mixing bowls here. Compared to traditional brownie recipes, this particular recipe uses around half the butter and sugar. The addition of zucchini also has great nutritional benefits such as a high level of vitamin C and fiber. Another win for the meal prep for picky eaters team!
7. Strawberry-Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark
Another great meal prep for picky eaters tip is to take familiar dishes and make them with healthier ingredients. This recipe almost reminds of buying chocolate bark from stalls at the fair or on a boardwalk yet it has way fewer calories and added sugars. A great recipe to make at the beginning of the week, leave it in the freezer and turn to whenever you get that snacking urge but still want to eat smart.
8. Baked Plantain Chips
An important aspect of meal prep is setting yourself up for success. When you’re hungry and looking for a snack, the more healthy alternatives you have, the better. The next time you feel like munching on a bag of potato chips, try whipping up a batch of baked plantain chips instead.
You’ll feel way better afterward and plantains are high in fiber, potassium, and vitamins A, C, and B6. Use a mandolin to slice the plantains and slice them very thin. The thinner you slice them, the crunchier the chips will end up!
9. Homemade Sweet Potato Chips
Alright, maybe you don’t have all that time to bake a healthier version of potato chips. What if we told you that you could use your microwave instead? This recipe does so and you can have a batch of hot, fresh sweet potato chips ready in about 10-15 minutes tops. Your gut will thank you, literally, because sweet potatoes are high in fiber and antioxidants which helps promotes gut health.
10. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Meal prep for kids can be tricky. You want them to eat healthy, yet you don’t want to overwhelm them with unfamiliar foods and flavors. Having a familiar but healthier snack option on hand is one of your best bets to keep them going in the right direction when it comes to healthy eating habits.
Peanut butter promotes strong bones and helps with heart health, while rolled oats are high in fiber and help to keep weight in check. We love the fact that you can make these ahead of time, freeze them, and bake them anytime you’re craving for a cookie. No thawing necessary!
11. Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Tenders
What kids’ menu doesn’t have its own version of chicken tenders and fries nowadays? Again, a few modifications turn this unhealthy meal into something parents will be happy to regularly serve their kids. To complete the chicken tenders and fries experience, roast off some potato wedges alongside the tenders and you’re all set for mealtime!
Meal prep for picky eaters and kids alike doesn’t have to be a struggle. It can be fun giving your children new options to try out, just be patient, see what their palette leans towards and adjust accordingly.
What are some of your favorite meal prep recipes to serve your kids? Tell us in the comment section below!
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