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Please help me with my family's diet, its terrible

323 replies

xxxJess123xxx · 22/04/2021 14:34

Hi all, I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old. Both typically fussy. No allergies.
Our diets are absolutely terrible as I seriously can't cook. I'm the type of person who can't make an omelette or burn pasta for christ sake.
We eat shit basically. Ready meals, nuggets and chips, pizza. Lunches are sarnies crisps and some grapes etc.
I'm feeling like an absolute rubbish mum and I want to change but I seriously can't cook.
Does anyone have any stupidly easy, cheap to make, fool proof recipes for dinners for my family.
I am slightly overweight. Kids are good weights and take a multi vitamin each day. Eat far too much chocolate etc
I feel so ashamed 😞
Thanks x

OP posts:
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cupoftea2021 · 23/04/2021 09:48

If you teach yourself to make easy simple no fuss or fancy meals first
Macaroni cheese
Homemade pizza I would buy the bases get the kids into help with the toppings- this helps them get a interest and less likely to not want to taste it
I brought a veggie steamer, throw in your veggies and corn cobs, easy no over spilling saucepans or burnt foods with these. This could go with oven baked fish fillets or your chicken nuggets
I have one pasta meal a week- all store brought and taste delicious- kids help grate the cheese.- fills everyone up, add a garlic bread or nice bread rolls-easy.
Nachos of the easy kind- I add the sauce to browned mince
throw it on a plate with sour cream, nacho chips grated cheese.
Chop up and roast veggies
we eat several easy meals a week
Google ideas by searching for exactly that-
fussy kids meal ideas.

namesnamesnamesnames · 23/04/2021 10:01

[quote PurpleDaisies]@GrumpyHoonMain béchamel sauce is such an odd thing to say is the easiest thing in the world to make for a complete beginner cook. I really don’t think it’s a realistic statement. It’s a useful thing to be able to make but it isn’t that simple and can quite easily go wrong. I say that as a confident cook.[/quote]
I agree. My own mother is a wonderful cook, but does not make this because she just cannot get it right. I make it and have no issues and yes it's a very useful thing to know how to do, but it's not easy for everyone.

Instead, you can cheat somehow with cornflour and milk.

namesnamesnamesnames · 23/04/2021 10:02

Frozen prepared veg is so good! I prefer it to chopping onions as there is less mess and no sore eyes! Also it's quick! Costs more though, so that may be a consideration. I don't use it all the time.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

xxxJess123xxx · 23/04/2021 10:03

I have been to the shops this morning and brought a frozen family chicken pie, some frozen mash and frozen veg for tea tonight x

OP posts:
Fnib · 23/04/2021 10:11

Good luck with it @xxxJess123xxx
The benefits it of buying frozen veg include no chance of it going off at the back of the fridge, so if you're not religious about using it all up if it's fresh, it can actually save money and waste.

xxxJess123xxx · 23/04/2021 10:18

Does that sound a better dinner for the kids, I really appreciate everyone's help x

OP posts:
timeforanewnameagain · 23/04/2021 10:23

For a complete cooking beginner I would recommend this book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOSH-Students-Student-Cookbook-Recipe/dp/0993260985/ref=sr11_1?dchild=1&keywords=NOSH+for+Students%3A+A+Fun+Student+Cookbook+-+NEW+Edition%3A+A+Fun+Student+Cookbook+-+Photo+with+Every+Recipe&qid=1619169764&sr=8-1

This covers all of your basics from jacket potatoes, to omelettes, to bolognese etc. All of which are cheap, healthy staples.

VaVaGloom · 23/04/2021 10:27

That sounds like a good tea OP, I hope your family enjoy it. Optional but do you have any gravy granules - you just put in a mug and stir with boiling water to make a bit of gravy to go with it.

sashh · 23/04/2021 10:29

Sounds like a good start @xxxJess123xxx.

Check the timings on the back of the packets so it's all ready together.

MMMarmite · 23/04/2021 10:37

@xxxJess123xxx

I have been to the shops this morning and brought a frozen family chicken pie, some frozen mash and frozen veg for tea tonight x
That's a great start. Smile

Don't feel embarrassed when things go wrong, it's completely normal for that to happen when you're learning a new recipe. I just learn from my mistakes, and talk to other people or try a different recipe if I can't figure out why it didn't work. Though I accept it's much tougher when there's family to feed - one of my favourite things about living alone is that I can experiment with new recipes and just laugh at myself when it turns out really weird.

The main thing you'll learn with experience is what matters and what doesn't. E.g. if I'm frying spices, I've learnt I need to watch them like a hawk because they will burn quickly. If I'm roasting vegetables in the oven, it doesn't really matter how much oil and herbs I put on them, and lots of different root vegetables can be interchanged if I don't have the right ones.

My tip is to compare multiple sources of information on google. I've just googled "tomato pasta sauce recipe" and opened the top three hits. One (jamie oliver's "easy tomato sauce") has 3 ingredients, with some optional extras, another (allrecipes) has 12! So I would not choose the allrecipes recipe! But I might use it for ideas once I'd mastered the basics.

Jamie Oliver cooks his pasta sauce for 10 minutes, whereas the BBC good food simmers it for 45 minutes to an hour. So from that I would guess that this recipe has an initial cooking stage so the ingredients aren't raw, then gets a deeper taste by leaving it to simmer for a long time, and that it doesn't really matter how long you simmer it for.

Videos are really helpful to see the techniques, and see what you are aiming for at each stage.

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 23/04/2021 10:43

I'm a good cook - also incredibly modest! - I don't cook sweet potato fried because they always come out soggy. Keep them for meals out / take away. Agreed! I think they must deep fry them in restaurants to get that nice crisp finish. It's really hard to replicate in the oven at home. I agree with other posters who said that sweet potato cut into cubes and roasted is easier and nicer.

Here's another good sweet potato recipe that's easy and very forgiving.

Allow one large sweet potato per person. Give it a good scrub and take off any manky bits. Prick the skin and microwave on high until it's soft. A potato about the size of my fist will take about 5mins. I'd start with 4 mins and then do extra minutes until it's done. You need to be able to stick a sharp knife right through it without feeling any hard bits. Then cut it in half lengthways and scoop out the middle into a bowl. Leave the skins as whole as possible but don't worry if you make some holes, it really won't matter. Mix the inside of the potato with a tin of mixed, spicy beans (Tesco called them Taco beans). Add the sauce too. You can also add some chopped spring onion. Squidge it all back into the skins as best you can and top with as much grated cheese as you like. Stick into a hot oven until the cheese goes bubbly and brown. Serve with a bag of salad, or whatever veg your kids will eat!
It's basically a slightly fancier version of jacket spud, cheese and beans but healthier with the sweet potato.

Frezia · 23/04/2021 10:48

You can do this Smile

There's a really easy, foolproof recipe for roasting a whole chicken.
Check what it says on the packet about the roasting time and temperature and set your oven to that temperature. Then take a roasting pan and put a fistful of salt at the centre of the pan so it makes a little mound (just plain table or sea salt, it doesn't matter).
Take the chicken out of the plastic and put it, breast down, on the salt mound, then press it down a little so it doesn't wobble too much.
You don't need oil or anything else, just the roasting pan, salt and chicken. Just remember to put it breast down in the roasting pan (the opposite way from how it comes in the packet).
Then put it in the preheated oven for the time it says on the packet. And that's it.
It comes out juicy and tender every time with loads of crispy skin, and not really salty at all.

You can serve it with frozen mash and veg and use the leftovers in sandwiches or, when you get a little more confident about cooking, in a curry or risotto.

I also found bell peppers are a vegetable kids tend to like as they're quite sweet tasting (red peppers for sure). They don't need peeling or cooking (although you can certainly cook them in lots of different ways).
You can just wash them and cut in strips. If there are any seeds on the strips, just take them off.
You can add them to sandwiches for an easy way to make them healthier, or with dips such as hummus, or in salads.

Sometimes when I don't feel like making lunch we just have lots of finger food, like vegetable strips (carrots, celery, peppers) with different dips (hummus, guacamole...), boiled eggs, cheese cubes or strips, with some toasted bread on the side and olive oil. Cheese goes well with grapes, or olives if you like them.

Caspianberg · 23/04/2021 10:52

I think start with what you know they like.

Pasta and sauce seems a current hit. So making a homemade tomato sauce, with lots of blitzed up hidden veg would be a good start. Roast onions, garlic, veg like peppers/ courgette etc ( you could buy them frozen also). Once roasted add a few tins passata and oregano. Blitz using blender. A nutribullet or cheaper equivalent worth getting. Make enough to freeze plenty of spare portions so you only have to make once a month.

Get some small Tupperware to use for freezing sauces or extra anything.

If they like pasta and tomato sauce. Maybe pasta with cream cheese? Literally pasta, add some cream cheese/ butter/ grated cheese or whatever they like. Can add peas

Pesto pasta. Jar pesto. Add peas/ sweet corn/ leftover chicken from roast etc. You can add whatever they like

Try and think of two veg or fruit at every meal. If they like chicken nuggets and chips, keep the same for now, but add some peas/ carrots/ sweet corn/broccoli on the side. Gradually changing. If you make a simple cheese sandwich for lunch, add cucumber/ raw carrots/ chopped apple or whatever next to it.

Try and master one thing at a time.

AlohaMolly · 23/04/2021 10:54

I couldn’t cook and never had cooked until I had DS when I was 28. I couldn’t look in the fridge and rustle up a meal, didn’t really know how to feed a family, nothing. When I started weaning DS I got a bit more interested but I tried to cook really fancy meals for DP when I had no clue about the basics, so I started with things my DM used to cook. Bolognese, chilli, roast dinner, shepherd/cottage pie.

DS is nearly 5 and our diet has slipped again, DP has multiple allergies and DS is gluten intolerant and both are picky so it’s a pain in the neck BUT one of the things I’ve done now is investigate healthier ready meal options. So for DS, once a week I give him chicken nuggets, beans, peas and a waffle. The chicken nuggets are Ella’s Kitchen with ‘no crap’ in them and added veg so it makes me feel a bit better. Beans count as a veg and are done in the microwave, j boil the kettle and pour it over a handful of frozen peas. The chicken nuggets and the waffle are done inthe oven for 20 minutes. I buy’healthier’ crisps for DS like lentil curls or the Organix carrot/sweetcorn puffs. I also buy the bear snacks and roll ups so he thinks he’s having a treat in his lunchbox but at least they contain fruit... I know the sugar isn’t great, but small wins! I boil a gammon joint at the weekend and slice that for sandwiches during the week instead of more processed ham.

I wouldn’t go crazy and try and do everything at once OP. Small changes, switch things you know they like for healthier versions and be proud that you’re doing your best!

And sweet potato fries are bastards.

Tomatobear · 23/04/2021 11:06

You could use ready made slow cooker sauces to start with. I mean they're not the healthiest but at least you'll be eating proper meat and veg with your meals. I always use them for lazy days and they're surprisingly soo nice!! I don't know how fussy your kids are but you could add frozen dumplings in while it's cooking.

Anything with mash and veg as someone suggested. Also new potatoes boiled, add a spoon of butter. Lovely.

Also the oven is your friend. Just bake everything- chicken breasts, pork chops, sausages etc. Bonus points if you can bake it on greaseproof paper so it doesn't need so much washing up.

Roast chicken, just bung it in the oven. You don't need to oil/salt it etc. Still delicious with boiled new potatoes or even frozen roasties.

Jar sauces, just add chicken breast (can even buy it chopped).

If the kids won't eat veg you could blend up a load it (buy frozen veg) and hide it in the jar sauces.

The biggest tip I think for cooking motivation is to actually buy a good chopping knife and chopping board. Makes a world of difference to cooking!

Tomatobear · 23/04/2021 11:08

I mean a big triangular knife, not a little fiddly one btw.

Also there were paragraphs sorry!

xxxJess123xxx · 23/04/2021 11:15

Thank u so much, I really am determined to do better for my kids. I will definitely let you all know how the pie turns out. The frozen veg is mixed carrots, peas and broccoli x

OP posts:
MMMarmite · 23/04/2021 11:17

@Tomatobear

I mean a big triangular knife, not a little fiddly one btw.

Also there were paragraphs sorry!

That's a good point. OP, what equipment do you have in your kitchen at the moment? Obviously don't want you to have to buy lots of stuff, but it's useful to understand what tools you have, and whether there are any really key ones that you are missing.
MMMarmite · 23/04/2021 11:20

@xxxJess123xxx

Thank u so much, I really am determined to do better for my kids. I will definitely let you all know how the pie turns out. The frozen veg is mixed carrots, peas and broccoli x
Sounds yummy. Have you cooked frozen veg before, or would tips be helpful? (It's pretty straightforward, but as we've been saying, everyone has to learn the first time.)
Mylittlesandwich · 23/04/2021 11:23

You've got loads of great help here but I just want to add, don't beat yourself up over it. I'm very overweight and I'm determined not to pass that down to DS, however I had terrible anxiety and PND and a Velcro baby so cooking was a real challenge for me. I still stress about it a bit now and he's 17 months.

Easy things I do is, cook frozen veg and maybe some chicken or sausages, cook pasta, add pesto and mix it all together. It's also quick so DS doesn't loose his mind while I'm doing it haha. We also have meals of chicken nuggets now and again though, they aren't poison, I buy the ellas ones from M&S because they have veg added and I can pretend they're lovely and healthy but in reality freezer food along with a generally healthy diet will not do them any harm.

xxxJess123xxx · 23/04/2021 11:28

A have a couple of big knifes, 2 chopping boards, cheese grater, mixing bowl, saucepans and frying pans x

OP posts:
xxxJess123xxx · 23/04/2021 11:28

Last time I did frozen veg I think I overdone it as it was mushy. Told u I'm crap! Blush

OP posts:
Turquoisesea · 23/04/2021 11:33

I make a quick pasta sauce using a tin of tomatoes. I chop up and fry an onion, garlic and red pepper. You can get all these frozen if easier, add a teaspoon of mixed herbs, add a tin of tomatoes and a tin of tuna. Boil some pasta and add to the sauce and then put grated cheese on top. That’s always been a very quick favourite in our house, especially when the DCs were little.

meow1989 · 23/04/2021 11:35

Slow cooker stews are your friends!

Stewing beef, Celery, carrots, onions, stock, Tinned tomatoes, ale, some sweet potato - whack in in the morning, leave for 8 hours. Make dumplings if you're feeling fancy.

Chicken, stock, some herbs, carrots, celery, leek, onion, cook as above.

alliejay81 · 23/04/2021 11:40

I'd go for an incremental approach. For the first two months, just do something like an easy roast on Sunday. Then add in homemade pizza on Saturday for two months (I recommend frozen dough from Northern Dough co). Add in a basic pasta dish (my child loves pasta and tomato passata - so so easy). And keep going, in just over a year you'll have transformed your menu. Much better to do it this way than try and change everything at once and up feeling overwhelmed and defeated!