Back to school season is fast-approaching and it's time to focus on a new school year as well as set some healthy eating goals. The summer was all about grilling, swimming and eating out a lot but now that we're getting ready to get back into the school routine, #MyNewGoal is to incorporate a variety of healthy fruits and veggies in our everyday meals.
As much as we can control what our kids are eating at home, we still want to be sure they're getting the nutrients they need to succeed at school -which is why I'm excited to be partnering with Revolution Foods, an amazing company that designs, produces and delivers healthy, affordable meals to students and families throughout the country, including right here in D.C.
We all know (and recent studies prove) that proper nutrition and eating well-balanced, healthy meals improve health and help children achieve their true potential. Revolution Foods believes that great tasting, healthy food that is kid-inspired and chef-crafted should be accessible to all. To meet this goal, they provide meals for over 2,500 sites, including early childhood education centers, districts, charters, and community & after school youth programs.
I also love that Revolution Foods uses fresh local produce, high quality proteins, rBST-free dairy products, and no high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners. They make well-balanced meals that exceed nutrition guidelines and also partner with community partners including FoodCorps and Share Our Strength to bring nutrition education to the communities they serve.
I'm amazed at all the programs, services and products that Revolution Foods offers. And here in Washington, DC, they offer school meals service serving the greater Washington metropolitan area, and extending to Virginia.
To learn more about Revolution Foods and how to get them into your school, go visit their webpage at: https://www.revolutionfoods.com/.
Inspired by Revolution Foods, I decided to compile some healthy cooking tips to share with you just in time for back to school! My kids are picky so I have to be creative in the kitchen to make sure they're getting the proper nutrients they need everyday to stay healthy and to meet #MyNewGoal this school year!
1. Secret sauce. An easy way to sneak in veggies is to grate or puree things like zucchini, carrots, and squash and add them to any marinara sauce. Make a simple lasagna and use this sauce as your base.
2. Go lighter. I love finding recipes that offer a lighter version of a classic, crowd pleaser, like this "lightened up" chicken marsala. It's a family weeknight dinner recipe that my whole family loves because not only does it taste delicious, it's also a healthier version!
3. Meatballs galore. Add fresh or frozen spinach to homemade meatballs and serve with whole grain spaghetti one night. My kids don't even know that there is a nutritious veggie right inside!
4. Smoothie time. One of the best ways to stick to #MyNewGoal this school year is to make some super healthy after school snacks. Here is where I can sneak in some veggies and make it fun for my kids: I just add a little fresh spinach to my strawberry and banana smoothies and they are none the wiser!
5. Snack attack. This is the perfect time of year to use zucchini since it is in season and so abundant. Make your family a new, healthier version of fries by slicing up some zucchini, then coat them in panko bread crumbs or in reduced-fat grated parmesan cheese and bake for about 20 minutes. Dip zucchini fries into marinara sauce (or ketchup!) for a light, fun, snack for everyone.
It is not impossible to eat healthier any time of the year, but as you start the new school year it is an important time to set some goals and start anew. Why not plan your weekly snacks and meals around some of these tips? Not only will your kids be healthier, but so will you.
*This post was sponsored by Revolution Foods. All views and opinions are mine. All images in this post were provided by the sponsor.
Trisha McKee says
It is so important to give children nutritious meals and it doesn't have to be difficult! Thank you for sharing this. Some great information.
Carrie Lancon says
I always try to have healthy meals for my kids and have healthy snacks on hand for them to graze on.
Samantha Cox says
excellent recommendations! I will try them with my nieces!
Calvin says
Empowering health with these nice tips. Follow them to become a better well being
Janet W. says
These are all great tips and ideas! I feel like we get in a rut during the school year and find ourselves not eating as healthy as we should.
Treia says
Great ideas. I haven’t thought about doing the zucchini fries, but I do plan on doing zucchini ranch chips pretty soon. I’ll have to give the fries a try next.
Danielle Menard says
The tips are great and the food seems healthier. Schools should definitely incorporate this into their lunch menu.
Deborah Cochran says
With busy school and work schedules, it sometimes can be tough staying on track eating healthy. But it is super important to maintain a healthy balance.
Robin Abrams says
I have been trying to cook healthier for my grand kids. These tips are great . I will be using them.
Theresa A. says
Sometimes it is a challenge to give them something 'healthy' that they will want to eat. There are some great options here, thanks for sharing.
Chrystal D says
Smoothies are always a tasty, healthy snack!
Alyce Poalillo says
Always looking for healthier snacks, thanks for the good tips.
sandra says
oh! i like the idea of hiding spinach in meatballs
Starla says
So many helpful tips, which seriously makes life easier. I love the smoothies one, in fact, I want to make some smoothie packs for this week for the little ones. Also , that lightened chicken marsala sounds SO good!
Lori Pierce says
Very good food choices definitely help the kids be more productive.
Lisa L says
These are great ideas. I especially love the secret sauce one because we love sauce and we got a pretty good blender that I could put to good use.
Blair Villanueva says
Those veggie burritos would be a great meal! And lots of fruits 😀
I bet your kids would be more motivated knowing that their lunch boxes are full of healthy foods!
Chelsea Damon says
Revolution Foods sounds like a great option for kids!
David Elliott says
I forget sometimes you can sneak veggies and other delicious and healthy items into meatballs. My daughter would definitely love that. And including it in marinara would help a lot as well.
kim says
Love all of these ideas! Can't wait to try some of the recipes too!
Jennifer Prince says
I like the idea of going lighter. Not changing everything but swapping out for a few healthier options. Hope the kids don't notice. Ha!
melissa major says
These are some brilliant healthy cooking tips! My kids love homemade food
Jade says
I love these healthy ideas, especially adding the spinach to a smoothly of veg to a sauce! Very clever! I’ll have to try some of these tips out!
Ruth I. says
We try to be more strict with my niece's snack but the grandparents are a little spoiler. lol! These tips are helpful! I will share this with my sister.
Vaibhav Mehta says
I try to apply the healthiness quotient to my food everyday. Thank god for a greak cook that my mother is. Hope the kids become less troublesome haha
Flyingkids says
These tips are great especially for mothers out there struggling in finding new and healthy lunch recipes for their kids. This is a very nice and well-said read.
Louisa says
Oh, this is amazing! Something to keep in mind when I start a family.
Jackie says
I often grate veg into meals at night for my son to sneak veggies in there, its just much easier than the stress of convincing them to eat them!! Such great tips all together for sure.
Peter says
We too are trying to incorporate healthier school lunches and snacks. Your tips and ideas will be put to good use over here
Rosey says
My son doesn't like lasagna but he likes everything that goes in it, lol. I will never get it. 🙂 I use veggies in our pasta sauces.
Terri Steffes says
You have very lofty goals for your school year! I do agree though, that even if you did this for 50% of the days, you are well ahead of the rest of us.
Dalene Ekirapa says
You're right...while kids go to school, they may not get all the necessary nutrients as they get from eats at home so for sure, your tips will really come in hand. I'd love the meatballs galore.
Elizabeth O says
This is a really helpful post indeed. I really like the tips you gave and he idea for a secret sauce is so creative. I know a few people who would definite benefit from that tip.
Emily says
I like the idea of the secret sauce! I have one child that really does not like vegetables so I do have to get creative with ways to make sure he is getting what he needs. Thanks for these healthy tips!
Tabitha Blue says
My kids love smoothing and that's always a great way to get a boost of nutrition, but I love the rest of your tips too!
sara lafountain says
These are some great tips! I make a marinara that has tons of veggies in it. I puree it and the kids have no clue that it is really healthy!
Sarah Bailey says
These are some great tips - it is amazing the healthy spin you can put on things when you think about it (hands up I'm not very good at it myself). Plus it's a great way to kick off the school year on the right foot.
Amber Myers says
I will have to keep your tips in mind. We do try to eat pretty healthy when we can. Wraps are a big hit in the house!
Laura Dove says
Great tips for healthier food. My kids come home from school starving and want to raid the fridge each day. I need to make sure I am fully prepared for that come September!
Matt says
This line killed me: My kids don’t even know that there is a nutritious veggie right inside!
Some really good ideas here, I have a one-year-old and I'm already obsessing over nutrition. I really think more emphasis needs to be put on teaching kids about nutrition in schools. This sounds like a great project. Good luck.
Monidipa Dutta says
The tips are great and the food seems healthier. So I guess it is good for kids and parents shall go for it.
Tomi C says
My kids are into smoothie bowls. They even have a yogurt and toppings bar at school so they can make their own smoothie bowls.
Melissa Chapman says
School lunches are always a chore and to keep them tasting fresh is always great. Your ideas and lunches look amazing and your kids are lucky
Gisele says
These are great tips. I have a recipe for zucchini sticks that I've yet to make. My zucchini is gone for this year but I'll make some next season.
Jeanette says
I needed ideas for the school lunch! I am already bored with what goes in my kiddos lunch! This gives me a lot of great ideas! Thanks for sharing this!
Alyssa from The Sparkly Life says
Love these healthy tips! We do a lot of meatballs and smoothies around here. And Revolution Foods sounds awesome! Much better than the school lunch I had as a kid! 🙂
Heather says
Healthy eating is always on my radar but especially now. I just bought a skinnytaste cookbook and will hope my family loves the recipes.
candy says
We should be doing this healthy meal and snacks all the time. I am always searching for snacks and meals to make for the family that are healthy and good.
Alli Smith says
I've been looking for healthier snack ideas for when the grandkids come over. You've given me some great ideas, including the zucchini fries.
Aditya Tiwari says
Some of the good tips you have mentioned are really worth mentioning. Proteins are the most important part of our nutrition life and it should not be avoidable. By the sounds of it, Revolution foods are really doing a good job. If I was a child, I would have been part of Snack Attack and Smoothie Time.