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Ask Mindful Chef’s dietitian your questions about healthy eating for busy families - £100 voucher to be won!

34 replies

MaddyMumsnet · 01/09/2026 10:56

Busy family life can make eating well easier said than done. Between work, school, clubs and everything else competing for your time, finding meals that are quick, nutritious and that the whole family will actually eat can feel like a challenge.

Whether you’re stuck in a midweek dinner rut, wondering how to make family meals healthier without creating extra work, trying to introduce more variety into your family’s diet, or simply looking for realistic ways to eat well when time is tight, now’s your chance to ask an expert.

Sasha Watkins (MSc, RD), Head of Health at Mindful Chef and registered dietitian, is here to answer your questions. You can ask Sasha about anything from practical nutrition tips for busy households, to creating balanced family meals, eating for energy, encouraging a positive relationship with food and making healthy choices feel more manageable day to day.

About Sasha:
Sasha Watkins is Mindful Chef’s Head of Health and a registered dietitian with more than 20 years’ experience in nutrition. She works closely with the chefs at Mindful Chef on recipe development and ingredient selection, helping to ensure its meals balance nutrition with great taste.

Sasha believes healthy eating should feel enjoyable rather than restrictive, and specialises in turning nutrition science into simple, practical advice that can work in everyday life.

Post your question for Sasha below by 29/9/26. She’ll then be back to answer a selection of your questions on the thread. Everyone who posts a question by then will also be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 VEX voucher (T&Cs).

Ask Mindful Chef’s dietitian your questions about healthy eating for busy families - £100 voucher to be won!
OP posts:
BumblebeeBum · 01/09/2026 18:49

Hi, exciting! Any tips on adapting dishes for fussy eating kids rather than making three different (sob!) dishes every night? Thanks

Kweenxo · 02/09/2026 00:01

How do you get kids used to eating different types of food and not being fussy when they're older?

BristolMum96 · 02/09/2026 15:07

Do kids eventually grow out of fussiness without intervention from the parent?

TonsleyB · 03/09/2026 18:55

I find i run out of imagination when it comes to midweek meals and end up cycling round the same food. Where do you go to find inspiration?

CopperPan · 03/09/2026 19:01

How can I encourage children to eat vegetables? They eat plenty of food but love pasta and rice and will eat protein, but they ignore any kind of side veg no matter what recipes I try.

ruqiya1965 · 04/09/2026 04:46

During tough times, what's a good, healthy, cheap meal that's generally a great hit?

Gingerkittykat · 04/09/2026 07:05

How do you know if you are getting enough protein in your dinner,

ItalianChineseIndianMexican · 06/09/2026 14:32

Are there any quick wins for increasing fibre in our diets? Thanks

P3ngu1n3 · 06/09/2026 18:57

Is upf really that bad? E.g. tuna, ham or flavoured yogurt. I find it difficult to be perfect with this when I so busy! I can’t fill a packed lunch without some upfs :( (not being allowed nuts makes it twice as hard)

hannahp1209 · 07/09/2026 12:37

What are your best tips for bulking out meals please?

saffysabir · 08/09/2026 20:17

What nutritious meal is a win for most if not all fussy eaters?

salemaxo · 09/09/2026 01:29

How do I know whether I'm feeding my kids too much or too little?

PDAalltheway · 09/09/2026 05:08

What principles would you apply to feeding children with ARFID?

CarelessWimper · 09/09/2026 06:06

Any tips for a healthy lunchbox and school snacks?

alshareif · 09/09/2026 18:12

I always see parents making smiley faces with the food, just to get their kids to eat more or to give a positive experience. What is the best way to get kids to enjoy a variety of foods?

chickenpotnoodle · 10/09/2026 17:31

What's the best meal to batch cook for the week ahead ? Easy, filling, and nutritious ? TY

gingercat02 · 10/09/2026 17:34

Just waving at fellow RD 👋

Haleyscomets · 11/09/2026 09:41

What do you think about adding pasta and pulses to bulk up meals and make a batch cook last longer - is there a good bulking nutricious alternative you'd suggest ?

SuiGeneris · 11/09/2026 10:59

What would you suggest as a family dinner that (1) avoids nuts, peanuts, peppers (anaphylactic risk); (2) has no visible cheese (fussy child); is healthy and contains a lot of fibre?

MayCottage · 11/09/2026 19:07

Best one pot meal using chicken - and what cut of chicken would you use - boneless - and would you marinade the chicken the night before - or does a slow cooking method make no difference - I'd use a delayed timer - need to save time when I get home and have hungry DC's and little time - but more time in the morning. Also best cut of meat for slowcooking.

Awkwardisfunny · 11/09/2026 22:27

Hi Sasha, been a fan of Mindful Chef for a long time - love the vegan options and that everything is gluten free.

Frankly, I think MC's meals cover nutrition, variety and healthy eating needs, but would you have any advice on preparing a range of medium-sized, go-to snacks.

So, instead of a pot noodle, pizza or throwing chips in the air fryer, is there anything equally appealing as a 'go-to' snack, that hits those pangs for something fast and/or unhealthy but actually isn't. I don't think I've seen that category in the Mindful Chef options and I'd love to know what you'd recommend.

I don't mind bulk preparation but variety and longevity are important to help not fall back in to bad habits.

Pinkbox · 11/09/2026 22:58

Is there any chance Mindful Chef will offer cold meals (ie fabulous salads)? I have enjoyed the meals in terms of quality, protein content and taste and would appreciate also being able to buy a range of non-cook options.

TheKestralNextDoor · 12/09/2026 12:26

What are your top tips for making quick family dinners genuinely nutritious when you’re exhausted after a busy day — especially with fussy eaters who would happily eat the same three meals on repeat?
I’d also love some practical ideas for adding more fibre to everyday meals and sneaking in extra vegetables, such as peas, without making meals feel like a battle. And what are your tips for making family favourites like pizza a bit healthier? I’m not sure about cauliflower pizza bases, but I’d be open to trying one or making healthier homemade versions for my children. What would you recommend?

junkoenoshima · 16/09/2026 12:04

I want to add a lot more vegetarian meals into our family’s diet and cut down on red meat and introduce more fish - any ideas how I can make fish more appealing into young children - a fish curry is delicious, but I cannot get my family to even try - it you should mind of matter - what vegetables would you add to a fish curry to make it look pretty and appetising?

Ooohaaahjustalittlebit · 16/09/2026 13:43

My children are allergic to milk, do you have any recommendations for good substitutes? When they were little we had supplements/special formula but I feel less sure how to ensure their diet is balanced now they are teens