Feeding the family

Posted by Sarah on February 12, 2009 - Posted in Recipes There is 1 comment, Add yours!

Recently I have had a few clients ask me, “How can I get my kids to eat paleo?” Eating paleo can be a big change for kids who are used to a frosted cereal breakfast, PB&J lunch, and a cheesy pasta dinner, BUT - feeding your family paleo is more than possible, it can be fun, fast, and delicious! 

First recommendation; introduce paleo living to your family one meal at a time.  With our new clients we recommend making the initial rollover to paleo eating at breakfast and I encourage you to do the same at home with the kiddos.  Make the cereals disappear, buy a giant griddle, and fry up some bacon and eggs.  You will notice a difference almost immediately in how your children feel and behave after a breakfast laden with good protein rather than a sugar-loaded temper tantrum inducing carb-fest breakfast. More creative breakfast meals can be introduced later down the line like frittatas and veggie omelets!!

Second recommendation; always be prepared!! Smart shopping is essential and making sure that the fridge is always stocked with kid-friendly paleo foods will make life easier. Have on hand loads of unprocessed (free of sodium nitrite) lunch meat, at least a dozen hard boiled eggs, already chopped veggies, sliced apples, blueberries, strawberries, mandarins, and fun condiments like pickles, olives, and almond butter (Trader Joes is great for all of the above).  My kids love it when we roll pickles and avocado up in turkey slices, serve with olives and some tasty mandarins and Presto - healthy easy snack!  Besides having quality food choices available at home, make sure you have mobile healthy food choices as well. Keep beef jerky, almonds, and apples in your car to avoid cranky hungry kids which could ultimately lead to a fast food fix…

Final recommendation; get the kids involved.  Kids LOVE to help in the kitchen so allow your children to participate in the creation and preparation of a meal, pump them up with praise, and go bananas over how great their food tastes, and I guarantee they will eat what they worked so hard to make.

Good luck and go for it!  Kids will not starve themselves so if the unhealthy choices are not in the house, your little paleo monsters will eat what is served!! 

Meatloaf Recipe by Jaden Fragoso, age five (and a little help from mom…)

1 lb grass-fed ground beef
2 apples chopped
1 onion chopped
3 minced garlic cloves
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 egg
Ground black pepper and pinch of salt
Mix with hands, place in loaf pan and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. 
Serve with sweet potatoes, broccoli trees and cauliflower snow!!