Pizza Night!



Ok, let’s face it, kids love pizza (and so do most adults), so here is the easiest and fastest way to make a personal pizza for everyone in your family:

Pizza Perfection!

 Ingredients:

·         4-6 pita rounds (white or whole wheat)

·         1 cup of pizza sauce

·         2 cups cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)

·         toppings of your choice (veggies, cooked meats, cheeses)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Spoon pizza sauce and spread over pita rounds.

Top with cheese and desired toppings.

Place on baking sheet and cook for 7-10 minutes, or until cheese has melted.

Enjoy!

Why this meal is good?

 This meal is good because:

·         It is fast, easy, and delicious (my cousin’s children love these pizzas).

·         The best way to get your kids to try new foods is by introducing them to new foods along with ones that they are already familiar with. Another way to encourage your kids to try new foods is by eating them yourself, so make sure you are loading your pizza up with lots of vegetables as well, and remember that the best way to teach is through example. Try and challenge your kids to see who can make the most colourful pizza!

·         It is a balanced meal according to Eating well with Canada’s Food Guide since it contains food items from all four of the food groups. 1 pita = 1 serving of grain products, 50g of cheese = 1 serving of dairy, vegetables can = 1-2 servings of vegetables, and 75g of chicken = 1 serving of meat.  

·         It can easily be made into a vegetarian meal (meat can be replaced with a meat alternative such as tofu or fish).

·         It is peanut and nut free.

·         Also, it is an easy way to get your kids involved with food preparation and gives them time to ask questions about where their food comes from!

·         You can also teach your kids about food safety by making sure they wash their hands before they start making the pizzas.  

First things first…

Before we get into the “meat of the dish” I just wanted to start out with a few basics so that we are all on the same page. The picture below show how your main meal plate should be set up:

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It is recommended that you eat six small meals a day to keep your body fueled at all times, and don’t forget the most important meal, breakfast! Breakfast helps to jump start your metabolism and gives you and your children a boost of energy to keep you going throughout the day.

For more complete information on portion sizes and food groups you can click on the following link which will take you to the Canadian Food Guide:  http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/alt_formats/hpfb-dgpsa/pdf/food-guide-aliment/view_eatwell_vue_bienmang-eng.pdf

Important things for parents to know!

It is important for parents to remember that children learn their eating behaviors and patterns from you, the parents! So the best way to get your kids to be good eaters is through setting a good example. You must also realize that when it comes to eating both parents and children have responsibilities and things that they can control:

Remember that as a parent you are in charge of what, when, and where your child eats. This means:

·         What- You are in charge of what food gets put in front of your child.

·         When- You decide at what time the meals and snacks should be.

·         Where- You decide where your child should eat, for example, let them know that food is eaten at the dinner table with the rest of the family, not in front of the television.  

You must also remember that your child is in charge of how much they eat and what they eat off the plate.

Remember that your child will know when they are hungry and when they are full so do not make them eat everything off of their plate. Children should also be in charge of what they eat off of their plate because their bodies will tell them what they should eat when they need it.

For more information another great resources is this website at Eat Right Ontario: http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/viewdocument.aspx?id=145



Icky Food can Taste Good!

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Dear readers,

Remember when just the thought of vegetables made you make this face? You used to ask “Why does everything good for us have to taste so bad?!” Unfortunately, some things never change, and kids these days still don’t like vegetables. In fact, 47% of children and young Canadians aged 12-19 don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables each day according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada₂.

In this day and age where heart disease and diabetes are at an all time high, it is even more important to educate our children about the risks associated with poor eating habits. Parents have a lot of barriers to overcome when it comes to healthy eating such as cost, taste, and convenience; but it is not impossible. This blog is going to focus on cheap, tasty, and fast meals that will encourage your children to consume a more balanced diet. It will also include how to get your children more involved with the food they are eating, basic food safety, what a balanced meal looks like, and other tips on getting your children to develop a healthy life style.

Hope you enjoy!