Will Kids Eat It?

With a little effort, anyone can make healthy meals on a budget. But the real success (or downfall) of feeding the family lies in the snacks. What's that you say, "Why do you need snacks if you are feeding the younglings three square meals?" Ah, my fine feathered friend, welcome to the land of the little people. They live on snacks.

If you add up all the food consumed between meals, those little growing bodies really eat about five meals a day. And there's not an ounce of fat on any of them (except JoJo--he's still got that cute baby fat). Between growing like weeds and running all over the neighborhood and the forest behind the house, they consume it all. When the Olympic commentators informed us that gold medalist Michael Phelps consumed 12,000 calories per day without gaining weight, we were not surprised: it happens here every day--no swimming pool needed.

Let's face it: snacks are mostly junk. So this is where the big challenge lies. Step one: (almost) no candy. We ration the candy intake using an arguably sensible rule: candy is a treat, not a food. In its place, the daily staple snack is a piece of fruit. Bananas are a favorite. Apples are popular too. Add raisins, oranges, and the occasional pomegranate, and you've got the basis for sustainable snackdom.


The bread family contributes to the snack party too. Crackers, home-made whole wheat bread, and cookies add to the party. And of course, ice cream. Yes, the real thing--but only upon special occasions.

Chef Kat

For everyday use, we make our own 'ice cream' that is (believe it or not) just as satisfying as the store bought kind,

BX makes dessert

with no sugar added. We wash/peel fruit and put it in the freezer. We then run the frozen fruit through a Champion juicer (with the blank instead of the filter) so that it comes out looking just like frozen yogurt. Everyone loves it. It tastes great, and it passes the 'water test' (you're not thirsty after you eat it). Fruit ice cream is inexpensive and popular year 'round. When we're feeling formal, we buy cones to put it in. Deeeelicious.