In our bustling household, where five energetic boys are always on the move, maintaining balanced eating habits is both a challenge and a priority. As a mom of five, I’ve learned that feeding a growing family requires careful planning, flexibility, and an emphasis on nourishment. In this blog post, I want to share my strategies and insights for keeping our kids healthy and well-fed, even in the midst of our busy, on-the-go lifestyle.
The Importance of Balanced Nutrition
Growing kids need a variety of nutrients to support their physical development and cognitive growth. A balanced diet provides them with the energy and building blocks necessary for healthy growth. I can’t claim to be a nutritionist, or anything even close with my habit of eating ice cream nearly every night after putting the kids down! But I am a boy mom who constantly struggles with the impact of bad diet on the boys’ behavior.
My personal experience is this: If the boys don’t eat enough, or they eat a high carb/low protein diet, we are far more prone to melt downs, frustration, and unkind actions. When I start to hear incessant fighting amongst them, I can usually cure it quickly with “Hey boys! It’s snack time!”
It is also important that I teach our boys about balanced nutrition early in life to set the foundation for healthy eating habits when they grow up. It’s an investment in their long-term well-being, if we can’t establish those habits now, it will be even harder when they get older.
Meal Planning and Preparation
I know I’ve said it before, but I’ve found that planning meals for the week is a game-changer. I create a menu that includes a mix of proteins, fruits, vegetables, and grains, ensuring that we cover all the essential nutrients. Plus, I build it around our activities to make sure we always have the right amount of time to have the meal we plan for. I use our own The Chaos Planner for a super simple way to plan ahead for meals, aligned with our activities
With five boys and a very busy business, I often cook multiple meals in one day to reduce the meal prep time the subsequent days. Items like pasta, taco meat, etc are super easy to cook on Monday and just reheat and enjoy on Tuesday or Wednesday. This makes it easier to put together nutritious meals quickly, even on hectic days.
Snacking Wisely
Snacking at home is much easier than snacking on the run. I keep a variety of healthy snacks on hand, such as cut-up fruits and vegetables, yogurt, cheese sticks, and whole-grain crackers and the boys happily eat “snack plates: which is just a plate of assorted items from the list above. It’s never the same, which gives them variety, and they get to pick what they eat first, giving them a sense of control of what they get to have.
Unfortunately, living in the Florida sunshine, these options are not as convenient for on-the-go moments. While sometimes we are able to plan ahead with a cooler to bring these balanced options along, a lot of times we have to take a quick snack that can be thrown in the diaper bag. I did find shelf stable yogurt pouches (Amazon Link) that the boys love, and of course the fruit pouches are always good. But as the kids get older, I’ve found that it’s just not enough. Lately, we have found that Z Bars (Amazon Link) are a good option to keep their hunger, and hanger, at bay.
Portion Control
While snacks are essential for growing kids, portion control is key. I provide small, balanced snacks between meals to keep them satisfied without spoiling their appetite for the next meal. Where we admittedly struggle the most is at mealtime. It’s not uncommon from the bigger boys to get school lunch… then get another school lunch! Their active lifestyle means they need a whole lot more calories a day than you typical kid. But, this also means we sometimes have to say no to the foods they want and redirect them to the foods that will satisfy their hunger.
While eating 2 cheeseburgers and chips is a normal meal for Jasper after a long day of playing (7), I also know that he tends to enjoy less active play, like Legos and piano. So if we had a particularly slow day, he can have that cheeseburger and chips, but instead of a second burger, we go with fruit and cheese to fill him up without over-doing the calories.
The Drink Dilemma
While most kids would choose juice or soda over water, I emphasize the importance of drinking water throughout the day. It’s the best way to stay hydrated and is essential for overall health and energy. And with our favorite water bottles, I don’t usually get push back, and they are quick to just bring them to the dinner table and have water with dinner too. Because it’s become such a habit, the kids rarely ask for anything but water.
And yes, we enjoy occasional treats like 100% fruit juice or flavored milk, and even soda when we go out to a restaurant. But I limit sugary drinks at home so the boys see these as exciting treats that just aren’t available at home so water just naturally remains the primary beverage of choice.
Family Dining Habits
I know it’s cheesy, or old school, but, we prioritize family meals nearly every day. Sitting down together promotes healthy eating habits, encourages conversation, and fosters a sense of togetherness. Therefore, they get enjoyment from the family bonding, not whatever food happens to be on their plate.
Luis and I also try to model balanced eating habits for our boys. We usually prepare meals that are nutritious all around, allowing us to eat the same meal as them. Plus, it is common for them to see Mama cutting up veggies, strawberries, and cheese for a fun summer salad, or watching Papi grill meat, not fry it when they are having pizza or something that I don’t feel like eating. They observe us making nutritious choices, which reinforces the importance of a healthy diet.
Nurturing Healthy Eating Habits
Balanced eating habits for five growing boys in a family on the go require dedication and planning, but the rewards are worth it. By prioritizing nutritious meals, snacks, and family dining experiences, we’re helping our boys develop a healthy relationship with food that will serve them well throughout their lives. It’s a journey that emphasizes not just nourishment but also the joy of sharing meals and creating lasting memories together.