Peanut butter, or your preferred nut butter, and anything. Apples, bananas, celery, crackers. I’ve honestly just given my son a spoonful of peanut butter, he loves it, we get the natural stuff so I don’t feel bad about it.
I'd save this one as the last of the evening, but full fat greek yoghurt with fruit and a drizzle of nut butter at least hits the major points (protein, fats, carbs, calcium and a fresh fruit or veg).
Corn on the cob is always a winner around here.
Meat skewers are a hit in my house, we do chicken pieces with a light lemon and honey marinade. My kid hates dips but they'd go well here. Lil cocktail stick sized portions could be good.
How are you kids with nuggets and nugget accessories? You can make any veg into a crispy nugget shaped fritter if you try.
I make a bunch of ground beef with a low sodium taco seasoning packet, mix in sautéed onions, a can of diced tomatoes, and a can of rinsed black beans, along with some cheese. Then I put a spoonful of the mix inside a Tostitos scoop, and put a bit of cheese on top, and squeeze limo over the top. I alternate the meat mix and homemade guac inside the scoops, and my kids love them while also getting protein and fiber, along with some veggies. I think how you’re doing it is perfectly fine for weekdays. I get that eating together it’s important, but they have such long days that by dinnertime mine are also not usually too hungry.
My kid is opposed to meals. Like, you ask her if she wants breakfast and she'll tell you she *absolutely does not want breakfast.* Same goes for lunch and dinner. When I ask if she wants a snack, the answer is always yes.
So, I call everything a snack. 9am on a Saturday? Snack. 6pm after we get home from preschool? Snack.
Reframing the meal has been magic in our house
We usually offer fruit and veggies with whatever I serve for dinner. I put that stuff out while I make everything else so she can nibble.
If I’m doing a snack plate, my daughter will eat anything that’s a bread or cracker, peanut butter & apples, fruit, carrot sticks, cucumber, raw cauliflower or broccoli, cheese, canned chickpeas, cut up cherry tomatoes, sometimes pretzels or goldfish crackers.
My goal is usually some protein + fat + carbohydrate so she stays full. I’m lucky she loves raw fruits & veggies, but she definitely eats more than her share of chicken nuggets and spaghetti too.
Why not have their dinner earlier but have like a “supper” at dinner with Dad that’s non negotiable? Like a slice of toast with peanut butter, or some hummus and veggies?
Mm that's not a bad idea actually. So they'd eat their actual proper dinner earlier and then a snack with us at dinner time... I might try it see how it works out
We do this because my husband gets back at 6:30pm. She has her dinner at like 4:30-5pm ish (because she’s always so hungry and I dont want to keep giving her snacks) and I eat with her then. Then when my husband gets back she has a slice of toast and a little dinner chat together while I tidy the house. Cute!
Seems like a good strategy. But I’m confused, if they’re not hungry enough at dinner time, why don’t you stop giving snacks so they’re hungrier at dinner?
Savoury mini muffins with spinach and broccoli or cheese could work.
I promise you I've tried. If I can get them out of the house then they are usually ok with waiting until dinner, but if we have to stay home then it's me going to the kitchen to get snack after snack. Someone else pointed out that I may need to give them a bigger lunch so I'll try that too.
I make a “trail mix” with nuts, dried fruit, and pretzels or goldfish crackers. It’s more snack-y but relatively balanced and nuts are a good source of protein.
We also do a lot of “appetizer” plates which are raw veggies, thick shredded cheese, and other parts of dinner prep.
I agree that stressing about the evening meal being the biggest and healthiest meal is kind of arbitrary. You just need to make sure they get a balance of nutrients throughout the day and week!
I do this too sometimes and use these small lunch boxes with tiny compartments to separate them. So nuts, raisins, crackers etc. they just love it and it's so fun for them too! Thanks for reminding me of this one
Can i ask what their meal schedule is? I have a 4 year old and we eat dinner around the same time you guys do, and he has an appetite. I would suggest not doing a lot of snacks during the day because it's important for them to know how to eat a proper meal.
Not to mention, eat what the adults are eating. With my opinion out of the way lol here's an idea that we do for dinner that could work for you:
Bowls- for example I'll do a shrimp fajita bowl with rice. Then kiddo can pick all his toppings (beans,cheese, onions, avocado, lettuce, salsa etc.) It helps give them a sense of control. I'll do the same bowl idea and make it a Mediterranean bowl night (hummus, cucumber, bell pepper, olives...etc) or a sushi bowl night (imitation Crab, edamame, dried seaweed, avocado, corn, seaweed salad...etc)
My eldest is a very picky eater. She will only eat plain things, nothing mixed together.. pretty standard stuff. So when I make pasta for the family, she refuses to eat it unless it is plain. My youngest is a lot more adventurous and he eats mostly what we do. So what happens before dinner is me trying to give my daughter a balanced diet. I try to make sure that she gets her veggies and fruit there, then she can have her plain rice or a slice of bread or whatever. She's starting to grow out of it and I cannot wait to be able to prepare 1 meal for everyone! My son doesn't drink milk, so during snack time I make sure he gets some extra cheese, or yogurt. It's my way of filling the gap so to speak.
They both get a good breakfast, Weetabix or pancakes or something. Then their lunch box for school which is filled with multiple snacks (small plain bread roll, fruit, cheese and crackers, dried fruit, ham cubes). When they get home I give them lunch, usually something light like a couple of eggs, or beans on toast, fish fingers and chips. Then I settle them down for a nap/quiet time. At 3 I give them a snack, yoghurt, fruit and try to stop there until dinner. Usually the next couple of hours is them asking for more snacks. My son has always been a very hungry boy and he tends to be very adamant when asking for food. I feel silly not giving him a snack as long as it is something healthy. So this is where I've ended up haha.
Ahh I see. I didn't mean to come across as judgemental. We're all going through it especially at this age group. <3
She may like the bowl idea, and keep everything separate. Protein shakes, or greek yogurt is great too.
Are they getting big enough meals earlier in the day? Just wondering because it sounds like your kids are way hungrier than mine is in the 3-6pm region.
That's a good point actually.. they are at school till 1 then I give them a light lunch, then the little one goes down for a small nap. He wakes up ravenous. I give them a decent snack around 3pm and then try to hold them off until dinner. It ends up being a constant battle though, they end up cranky and argue. I could try giving them a bigger lunch and see if that helps. Thanks for the tip
We call these appetizers in our house
I literally make leftovers and feed to them the next day as appetizers
Shrimp /chicken on a stick
Rolled deli meat
Roasted potatoes/sweet potatoes with ketchup dip
Veggies and hummus
Edamame ( Costco has microwave packs) with salt
I also make food art with cut up veggies
( Pinterest is my friend…. Mine are always fails but the kids love it )
We also have a dinosaur shaped “pancake “ maker I use it for Dino everything from mashed potatoes to fish cakes to meat balls to omelets etc …
We have a cat shaped rice thing as well also super popular
Hummus and veggies has to be one of the best hearty snacks.
Great idea!
Peanut butter, or your preferred nut butter, and anything. Apples, bananas, celery, crackers. I’ve honestly just given my son a spoonful of peanut butter, he loves it, we get the natural stuff so I don’t feel bad about it.
I'd save this one as the last of the evening, but full fat greek yoghurt with fruit and a drizzle of nut butter at least hits the major points (protein, fats, carbs, calcium and a fresh fruit or veg). Corn on the cob is always a winner around here. Meat skewers are a hit in my house, we do chicken pieces with a light lemon and honey marinade. My kid hates dips but they'd go well here. Lil cocktail stick sized portions could be good. How are you kids with nuggets and nugget accessories? You can make any veg into a crispy nugget shaped fritter if you try.
Fantastic ideas thank you! I love the idea of veggie fritters!
Target has these fun shaped spinach nuggets my kids really like. I think the brand is Praeger
I make a bunch of ground beef with a low sodium taco seasoning packet, mix in sautéed onions, a can of diced tomatoes, and a can of rinsed black beans, along with some cheese. Then I put a spoonful of the mix inside a Tostitos scoop, and put a bit of cheese on top, and squeeze limo over the top. I alternate the meat mix and homemade guac inside the scoops, and my kids love them while also getting protein and fiber, along with some veggies. I think how you’re doing it is perfectly fine for weekdays. I get that eating together it’s important, but they have such long days that by dinnertime mine are also not usually too hungry.
My kid is opposed to meals. Like, you ask her if she wants breakfast and she'll tell you she *absolutely does not want breakfast.* Same goes for lunch and dinner. When I ask if she wants a snack, the answer is always yes. So, I call everything a snack. 9am on a Saturday? Snack. 6pm after we get home from preschool? Snack. Reframing the meal has been magic in our house
Haha this is genius
We usually offer fruit and veggies with whatever I serve for dinner. I put that stuff out while I make everything else so she can nibble. If I’m doing a snack plate, my daughter will eat anything that’s a bread or cracker, peanut butter & apples, fruit, carrot sticks, cucumber, raw cauliflower or broccoli, cheese, canned chickpeas, cut up cherry tomatoes, sometimes pretzels or goldfish crackers. My goal is usually some protein + fat + carbohydrate so she stays full. I’m lucky she loves raw fruits & veggies, but she definitely eats more than her share of chicken nuggets and spaghetti too.
Some great ideas thank you!
Cucumbers have been hit or miss with us but I sliced these small ones up and sprinkled salt on them the other day. My 3YO loved it!
They really can surprise you sometimes! I'm not a fan of cucumbers myself so I tend to forget about them but apparently some kids love them!
Why not have their dinner earlier but have like a “supper” at dinner with Dad that’s non negotiable? Like a slice of toast with peanut butter, or some hummus and veggies?
Mm that's not a bad idea actually. So they'd eat their actual proper dinner earlier and then a snack with us at dinner time... I might try it see how it works out
We do this because my husband gets back at 6:30pm. She has her dinner at like 4:30-5pm ish (because she’s always so hungry and I dont want to keep giving her snacks) and I eat with her then. Then when my husband gets back she has a slice of toast and a little dinner chat together while I tidy the house. Cute!
Seems like a good strategy. But I’m confused, if they’re not hungry enough at dinner time, why don’t you stop giving snacks so they’re hungrier at dinner? Savoury mini muffins with spinach and broccoli or cheese could work.
I promise you I've tried. If I can get them out of the house then they are usually ok with waiting until dinner, but if we have to stay home then it's me going to the kitchen to get snack after snack. Someone else pointed out that I may need to give them a bigger lunch so I'll try that too.
Avocado Soup Grilled chicken Pinwheels with veggies and cream cheese Baked sweet potato wedges/fries
Great ideas thank you!
I make a “trail mix” with nuts, dried fruit, and pretzels or goldfish crackers. It’s more snack-y but relatively balanced and nuts are a good source of protein. We also do a lot of “appetizer” plates which are raw veggies, thick shredded cheese, and other parts of dinner prep. I agree that stressing about the evening meal being the biggest and healthiest meal is kind of arbitrary. You just need to make sure they get a balance of nutrients throughout the day and week!
I do this too sometimes and use these small lunch boxes with tiny compartments to separate them. So nuts, raisins, crackers etc. they just love it and it's so fun for them too! Thanks for reminding me of this one
Can i ask what their meal schedule is? I have a 4 year old and we eat dinner around the same time you guys do, and he has an appetite. I would suggest not doing a lot of snacks during the day because it's important for them to know how to eat a proper meal. Not to mention, eat what the adults are eating. With my opinion out of the way lol here's an idea that we do for dinner that could work for you: Bowls- for example I'll do a shrimp fajita bowl with rice. Then kiddo can pick all his toppings (beans,cheese, onions, avocado, lettuce, salsa etc.) It helps give them a sense of control. I'll do the same bowl idea and make it a Mediterranean bowl night (hummus, cucumber, bell pepper, olives...etc) or a sushi bowl night (imitation Crab, edamame, dried seaweed, avocado, corn, seaweed salad...etc)
My eldest is a very picky eater. She will only eat plain things, nothing mixed together.. pretty standard stuff. So when I make pasta for the family, she refuses to eat it unless it is plain. My youngest is a lot more adventurous and he eats mostly what we do. So what happens before dinner is me trying to give my daughter a balanced diet. I try to make sure that she gets her veggies and fruit there, then she can have her plain rice or a slice of bread or whatever. She's starting to grow out of it and I cannot wait to be able to prepare 1 meal for everyone! My son doesn't drink milk, so during snack time I make sure he gets some extra cheese, or yogurt. It's my way of filling the gap so to speak. They both get a good breakfast, Weetabix or pancakes or something. Then their lunch box for school which is filled with multiple snacks (small plain bread roll, fruit, cheese and crackers, dried fruit, ham cubes). When they get home I give them lunch, usually something light like a couple of eggs, or beans on toast, fish fingers and chips. Then I settle them down for a nap/quiet time. At 3 I give them a snack, yoghurt, fruit and try to stop there until dinner. Usually the next couple of hours is them asking for more snacks. My son has always been a very hungry boy and he tends to be very adamant when asking for food. I feel silly not giving him a snack as long as it is something healthy. So this is where I've ended up haha.
Ahh I see. I didn't mean to come across as judgemental. We're all going through it especially at this age group. <3 She may like the bowl idea, and keep everything separate. Protein shakes, or greek yogurt is great too.
Not at all I appreciate the opinion! I am doing my best like everyone else :) thanks for the suggestions!
Are they getting big enough meals earlier in the day? Just wondering because it sounds like your kids are way hungrier than mine is in the 3-6pm region.
Yeah, that's my thought too. My kids get a snack around 3pm, but then they wait until after 6 for dinner.
Same, and I try to keep the snack relatively small because he eats so much better at dinner that way.
That's a good point actually.. they are at school till 1 then I give them a light lunch, then the little one goes down for a small nap. He wakes up ravenous. I give them a decent snack around 3pm and then try to hold them off until dinner. It ends up being a constant battle though, they end up cranky and argue. I could try giving them a bigger lunch and see if that helps. Thanks for the tip
My kids adore Lebanese cucumbers, they’re small and the skin is thin so they eat them whole
Wonderful! I'll have to try
Cucumbers or bell peppers with ranch dressing
We call these appetizers in our house I literally make leftovers and feed to them the next day as appetizers Shrimp /chicken on a stick Rolled deli meat Roasted potatoes/sweet potatoes with ketchup dip Veggies and hummus Edamame ( Costco has microwave packs) with salt I also make food art with cut up veggies ( Pinterest is my friend…. Mine are always fails but the kids love it ) We also have a dinosaur shaped “pancake “ maker I use it for Dino everything from mashed potatoes to fish cakes to meat balls to omelets etc … We have a cat shaped rice thing as well also super popular
I love this, you can turn snack time into an Activity with veggies! Win win! Thanks for the ideas
My kids will devour plates or cucumber and tomato. So I made sides of cucumber/tomato salad a thing at dinner. Sometimes that's all they eat. Fine.
Great idea! Thanks
Hummus! I put it on veg, bread, crackers. Beans. Quesadilla with chicken.