You will have heard me no doubt talk about the kids and the fact that they will eat almost anything, but I have to admit they do tend to get stuck in a rut now and again with choices. As much as I love creating recipes from scratch some times you just want something easy to make and that is when simple meals are usually the fall back answer.
New research reveals that almost half (46%) of parents rely on six or fewer dishes that they cook from scratch for fear of their little ones not eating it, this figure rises to 65% of parents who have no more than 8 recipes on hand. A shocking 23% rely on 4 or fewer meals and often stick to staples such as scrambled eggs, sandwiches and cheese on toast.
In a poll of 1500 parents these fears though are not unfounded. Over 57% of children regularly leaving food on their plates and a third of them not even clearing their plates when a favourite meal has been offered! I know from experience this is true as my girls either get distracted or bored half way through then pick at what is on their plates!
63% of parents feel that their children are nervous of new tastes and textures. Whilst almost half – 47% – think they are put off by the look of new food and 30% by the smell. Three in ten say their children simply choose not to try anything new. I have to admit to being lucky on this score as the kids have always either tried what we are having or had taster nights with us where we add lots of different samples of food onto a board and we all try each one. We have done this with cheese, fish, meats etc – its a great way to get little ones interested if everyone is doing it!
Young’s Seafood have farmed a panel of mini chefs and food critics, aptly names The Youngsters. They create Chip Shop meals for kids, by kids, making happy meal times and guaranteeing clean plates all round. Every recipe has been designed to be quick and easy for families to make, using common store cupboard ingredients found in everyone’s kitchen.
The panel of six includes the children of the founders of leading parenting advice websites, Toby and Roo and Actually Mummy. The petite panel has worked with nutritionist Dr. Sarah Schenker, who specialises in cooking for young children and tackling fussy eaters, to develop the range of recipes.
Reuben Shearsmith, The Youngsters’ food critic (aged 7), commented: “I loved making food with Young’s, I think other children will really like eating the food as much as me!”
“I learnt a lot about vitamins! Vitamin A is in orange food like the sweet potato chips in my favourite recipe which was the Young’s Cod with vegetable chips but I didn’t like the parsnip chips so I’ll have extra carrot and sweet potato chips!”
From Becky’s Tasty Chip Shop Tacos to Toby’s Chip Shop Fish Fingers with Stuffed Peppers, The Youngsters’ range of Young’s Chip Shop recipes boasts something for everyone.
Dr. Sarah Schenker commented: “What’s great about these recipes is that not only have they been created and tested by children but that they contain plenty of the important nutrients that children need to grow, develop and stay healthy.
“The Young’s recipes have all been rigorously tested by The Youngsters panel and come highly recommended from the fussiest of taste buds!”
The data has revealed that nearly half – 47.5% – of parents cook no more than five times a week for their family.
Their other most popular culinary efforts include spaghetti bolognese, roasts, bangers and mash, pizza, curry, pasta bake and burgers.
Dr Schenker continued: “We were surprised to see that Fish & Chips is not in the nation’s top 10 recipes at home, despite it being such a simple way to get Omega 3 – an essential source of fatty acid found in fish – into children’s diets. The Youngsters Chip Shop recipes are packed full of vitamins that boost immunity, benefit bone health and keep eyes healthy.”
“Every single Chip Shop recipe from The Youngsters panel has been given the seal of approval by child nutritionist Dr Sarah Schenker, so not only are these meals loved by children across the country, they are good for them too.”
XOXO
Debbie
This is a collaborative post with Young’s Seafood.