Catering to the younger crowd

The other day I made taco salads. I’m trying to get the kids to eat more protein and veggies, but it’s slow going and I don’t want to push too hard, so I struggle with what are appropriate mealtime changes without being a short order cook. This is what I came up with for this one meal, which didn’t involve a ton of extra prep but I always struggle – what is too much? What is not enough? Am I being too unrealistic? Am I pushing too hard? Will they grow up to have an unhealthy relationship with food like all of us adults have?

So this is what the grown-ups ate:

Shredded taco chicken on lettuce, avocado, tomato, a little cheese and sour cream. I used cereal bowls so it all looks like meat, but there’s a lot of lettuce in there.

This is what the 8yo ate:

Chicken quesadilla, chips and salsa, blueberries.

This is what the 6yo ate (was served):

Shredded chicken, cheese quesadilla, chips and blueberries.

The 6yo proclaimed the chicken “too spicy” even though it was low sodium mild taco seasoning in chicken broth, so further watered down. He ate three bites (shreds) at my insistence. 8yo ate it all, and extra chips.

6yo is hungry CONSTANTLY but doesn’t eat anything particularly healthy or filling. But fruit is healthy! He exclaims. Yes, but as part of a balanced meal.

Sigh.