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Healthy Recipes for Kids Part 1

School children are a special demographic indeed. In order for their healthy minds and bodies to function properly throughout the school day, they need proper nutrition. The Lunch Mob offers parents the option of having us provide wholesome, nutritious meals for their children to enjoy during their school lunch hour. We provide a plethora of different foods that school cafeterias may not have access to and we use our healthy recipes to prepare the foods in such a way that your child feels they are getting a meal straight from your kitchen. Our school lunch options help your children develop healthy eating patterns at a young age so that they may develop the habit for life.

We love helping parents provide nutritious meals for their children at school so much that we wanted to present a few healthy options for you to create at home as well. Below is the first part of a two-part series that presents 7 healthy recipes for children to try at home. They are kid-friendly and help children develop a love of whole grains and healthy foods. The recipes are also simple to prepare, naturally lower in calories, rich in vitamins and rich in minerals.

Chicken Fingers in Almond Crust

This recipe replaces the deep-fried and batter-dipped nuggets which is not a healthy food choice.  To prepare, coat the chicken tenders in a seasoned almond and whole-wheat flour mixture, then place on a greased baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until the juices run clear.  This recipe contains almost half the fat of traditional breaded chicken tenders making it a healthier choice.

Gnocchi and Chicken

This recipe is great as a weeknight comfort meal for kids. Start by bringing a large pan of water to a rolling boil. Add the gnocchi and cook while frequently stirring for two minutes. For the next one or two minutes, stir in peas and cook until the gnocchi become tender.

Meanwhile, cut chicken breasts into chunks and coat with flour. Heat one tablespoon of oil in a pan on medium heat. Transfer the chicken to pan, sprinkling with 1/4 teaspoon of pepper and salt. Continue cooking chicken for 5 minutes while occasionally stirring until slightly brown. Transfer the chicken to a plate to rest.

Next, add one tablespoon oil to the pan and then add chopped carrots, celery, thyme, onion and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Cook until the vegetables are crisp-tender while stirring occasionally for 7 minutes . Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour over the vegetables and stir in about 1 cup of broth. Let the broth thicken and then add the cooked chicken. Add the peas and gnocchi and cook for about 3 minutes while gently stirring until the gnocchi are hot.

BBQ Baked Beans and Sausage

The key to helping make baked beans healthy it to choose a brand that has the lowest sugar and sodium content. Simply heat the beans and add your favorite cooked lean sausage (we like turkey sausage) and some collard greens. Cook on the stove until the sausage is heated through and greens are soft. This meal can be served with cornbread and coleslaw if you choose. This meal is a great source of fiber and protein.

If you enjoyed these quick and easy recipes, stay tuned for our next post where we will give you 4 more meals your kids will love!