What My Kids Have Eaten Lately: Inspo for Quick and Easy Nourishing Meals

Sometimes, getting meals on the table is more mentally exhausting than anything.

Here is your permission slip to keep things simple and nourishing, while giving you a little inspiration!

I remember a couple of years ago, it was not uncommon for me to ask myself multiple times a day: what the heck do I feed my kids??

I wanted to be mindful of their nutrition (are they getting enough protein, veggies, fiber?!), while also keeping my sanity.

As the primary caregiver, grocery shopper, and meal prepper in my family, I knew that I needed a simple and sustainable way to feed my kids well, while also fostering healthy nutritional habits for them as they age.

Here’s a look at some of the meals we’ve eaten in the last couple of weeks to help inspire you. And offer a healthy dose of a reality check (because the truth is: most of our meals are very simple).

Our Family Philosophy On Nutrition

Before diving into what meals we eat, it is important to know what we prioritize. These choices are going to look a bit different from family to family, and that is okay. We all have personal nutrition goals, preferences, wellness backgrounds, and accessibility.

Regardless of where you are coming from, I think it is important to consider your own nutrition goals.

Here are some for our family:

• 80/20- the majority of the time we are cooking at home, using real food ingredients.. the other 20% of the time, we are eating out, having BBQ’s with friends, and relaxing about what we eat.

• Viewing food as medicine, and investing accordingly— From the time we got married, my husband and I have agreed on spending a little bit more money on nourishing, healthy foods. We maintain a food budget, and that means we forego a lot of pre-packaged snacks or convenience snacks.

• Nutrient density is the priority— With every meal, I am asking myself how I can increase the nutrient intake. Sometimes that’s cooking rice in bone broth, adding some extra veggies, or swapping processed foods for more whole food alternatives

How I Build Meals in Our Home

If you've followed me for any length of time, you know I’m all about keeping nutrition simple. We have a rotating meal plan that keeps things easy to prepare, while reducing decision fatigue.

But what about building the individual meals?? What’s the main component? What about sides??

Rather than aiming for perfection, I use a simple framework that helps me build meals without overthinking them.

Related Reads:

• How to Build a Metabolically Supportive Meal

Start with a protein.

Protein is usually the first thing I decide on because it keeps you full, satisfied, and supports blood sugar balance. It also provides important nutrients for growing kids and busy adults alike.

Some of our regular favorites include:

• Ground beef

• Chicken

• Salmon or some type of seafood

• Eggs

• Greek yogurt

• Cottage cheese

• Beans or lentils

Add color

We prioritize fresh, local vegetables and fruit whenever we can! These are also healthy sources of carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, and vitamins.

Some of our favorites:

• broccoli

• bell perppers

• root vegetables and squash

What about fat?

If we are having a lean protein, I’ll cook our veggies in olive oil, coconut oil, butter, or ghee!

Keep it realistic.

Perhaps the biggest lesson I've learned as a mom is that consistency matters far more than perfection.

Some meals are balanced. Others are simply what I can get on the table between work, homeschool, activities, and everyday life. That's okay.

Our goal isn't to create the "perfect" plate every single time. It's to offer nourishing foods consistently, model a healthy relationship with food, and trust that those small choices compound over months and years.

If you look through the meals below, you'll notice they aren't fancy. They're simply real meals that fit our family's season of life—and that's exactly the kind of inspiration I hope you'll take away from this post.

A Sneak Peek Into My Kid’s Meals Lately

Tuna sandwiches with snap peas and blueberries

Homemade Poke Bowls with Rice and Spinach

Squash, Watermelon, and Ground beef

Overnight protein oats for breakfast

Eggroll in a bowl

Homemade granola bars

costco chicken strips

Steak, strawberries, and veggies

chicken and veggies

Ground turkey, raw carrot salads, roasted potatoes

Burgers, carrot salad, and roasted potatoes

Homemade chia pancakes, hard boiled eggs, and berries

salmon bowls with rice, cucumbers, and sriracha mayo

Lentil pasta and vegetable marinara

Pb + J, berries, and bell perppers

taco bowls

Steak, veggies, and saurkraut

Some of our other go to’s that are not pictured:

• good ol’ peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with fruit and veggies on the side

• quesadillas with ground meat

• Greek yogurt bowls with granola and berries

• eggs and toast

My Favorite Kid Meal Supplies

Over the years, I have tried many different kids’ plates, bowls, and dishes. Our favorites are the ones that avoid plastics, are sturdy, and can be used throughout all the different stages of toddlers and childhood.

• MonkeyProof Bowls— these stainless steel bowls are something we use every single day!

• Elkie And Friends — another one of our faves that gets daily use!

Related Reads:

• The Best Non-Toxic Dinnerware for Kids (Mom Approved!)

What are some of your favorite go-to kid meals? I’d love to hear your fam faves!

Kaelyn

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