How to Add Nutrition to Your Family's Favorite Meals

If your family turns up their noses at new foods, and won't try new things chances are you are in a food rut. The best way to eat healthy is to choose various foods from different food groups. But if your family won't eat it, there is no sense making it. Here are some ways to sneak in added nutrients to your family's favorite foods.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a keen eye
• a bit of sneakiness
• determination for your family's health

1. Reduce sodium: Drain and rinse canned vegetables before cooking them, Purchase Low Sodium versions whenever available, Avoid prepared and shelf stable items because they are packed with sodium for preservation.

2. Reduce Fat: Broil, bake, sautee rather than deep fat frying. Use extra virgin olive oil rather than vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. Choose low-fat, and fat free products whenever possible. Buy leaner cuts of meat, less red meat, and more fish.

3. Add Nutrients: Use V8 juice in place of tomato paste, tomato juice or stock in soups, stews, and chili. Buy whole grains whenever possible: crackers, pasta, breads, cereals. Add fresh vegetables and mushrooms to pasta sauces.

[rainal]

on 2/23/2009 good tips, will try the V8 too! thanks

[Wasatch]

on 12/18/2008 Good tips. Health can always be improved with simple steps.

[MotherDove]

on 12/18/2008 Brewer's yeast, flax seed and wheat germ flakes are easy to pass off in sauces. Kelp and even echinecea can be slipped into soups! You're right though, I gotta cut down on frying foods. It just tastes so good! Thanks for this super helpful article.

[painthorse42]

on 12/15/2008 I really like the V8 idea! We use the whole wheat pastas. Thanks! 5*

[ljstraight]

on 12/2/2008 Great suggestions! 5 stars