I recently aquired two teenagers. What should I feed them?

Question

They're always hungary. I want to make them healthy, yummy food. My husband and I don't eat much meat. Any suggestions? So far I've fed them chocolate chip-walnut pancakes & milk; spinach-chicken-white sauce-lasagna; and brazilian black beans & rice with salsa, sour cream, cheese, tortilla chips, etc.

They don't know how to cook (yet).
They don't have a mom, and all they have eaten is fast food and pasta (before I aquired them.)
And what are jacket potatoes???

Oh, and my husband and I eat mostly beans & rice, which they probably won't want to have all the time. So "they should just eat whatever you eat" doesn't really work. Thanks anyway.

T, I love these kids like crazy. There's nothing "cold" about it. I just don't know how else to describe it... they're not adopted, not foster kids, they don't even live with me...

Answer 1

NO NO NO, i am a teenager and i would not want to be fed that, get then to eat jacket potatoes, salad lots of vegetables and soup. no chocolate its not good for you, make then italian food, like pasta and tomatoe dishes, sometimes the occasional low fat pizza and for afters fruit, cereal bars, apple crumble with yoghurt, or a slice of vienetta

Answer 2

Well, most teenagers don't exactly like the healthy stuff. But depending on where they go to school, they most likely eat fast food or junk from the cafeteria at lunch, so they need something decent for dinner. Just ask them for feedback. Ask what they like to eat. What you have down so far is a good start. Maybe try some other Mexican foods, or variances of chicken or burgers. Although you don't eat much meat yourself, it's really hard to come up with a full meal that doesn't include it, unless you eat a lot of pasta

Answer 3

If they are like my kids, they will eat anything that is not alive (and at times I worried about that). There is nothing like a hungry teenager -- they are hollow all the way down to their toes. What you have fed them so far sounds wonderful, you can come to my house any time!!! Seriously, anything unless they are picky. You sound like a fabulous cook, but teenagers also like the simple things - hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza. I understand that they lived on fast food, but with your skills, create versions of them yourself - not McDonald's. If they are old enough to 'learn' to cook - teach them. My sons loved to cook as and then turned out to be very good cooks. They would experiment with different spices (and ask questions) and some of their 'experiments' were quite good. Just talk to them and then compromise - some dinners just need to be simply. Don't complicate the issue with new kids, just relax.

Answer 4

Sounds good!! They may get used to all the good food and complain when you don't have time and give them something simple.

It's a shame you don't eat much meat....cuz lots of protein is good for growing bodies! I would still make some kind of meat for every meal...even if you and your husband don't eat the meat....you can make just enough for the kids. And lots of fresh fruit and vegetables! Usually if you have a bowl of grapes and some containers with fresh cut up vegetables in the fridge they'll snack on it.

Answer 5

You can ask them what they like to eat. My daughter who is now an adult liked (in addition to whatever meal I prepared) grilled cheese sandwiches, tuna is good to have on hand, milk is an easy grab from the refrigerator. Fresh fruit, vegetables and dip. Frozen pizza can come in handy - try to have food on hand that they can eat that you don't have to prepare. If they are teenagers, then they can do some of their own prep-work. It will do them good for when they are on their own or in college. We are not cereal eaters, but my guess is that cereal would be a good choice.

Answer 6

They should eat whatever you make for dinner for the family (it sounds like you are the who cooks). I have two teens, too. One eats no meat, the other lives on meat. They have to eat what I make, but they adjust it to their liking. (i.e. the vegetarian eats around the meat, the other eats the meat and less of the other part of the meal.) It works well for us.

They do like to snack, so have healthy snacks around - veggies and dip, fruits and dip, pretzels, etc.

Answer 7

They are people, too. Just younger and hungrier. Feed them the same stuff you guys would eat. But they'll eat more of it. Why would you assume that a teenager should eat any different than any other person?

Answer 8

These are a few of my favorites!!

Crock Pot Enchiladas
Serves 6

1 lb Ground Beef, lean
1 (8.5 oz) White Onion, chopped
1 (4 oz can) Chopped Green Chilies (leave these out if you don't want it to be spicy)
1 (14 oz can) Enchilada Sauce
1 (10-3/4 oz can) Golden Mushroom Soup
1 (10-3/4 oz can) Cheddar Cheese Soup
1 (10-3/4 oz can) Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 (10-3/4 oz can) Cream of Celery Soup

Instructions:
Brown hamburger and chopped onion and pour off grease.

Put all ingredients in crock pot. Mix and cook low 4-6 hours.
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Chicken Parmesan
Serves 6

1/3 Cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 Tsp Italian Seasoning, crushed
6 (4 oz) Chicken Breast, boneless, skinless
1 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
1/2 Cup White Onion, diced
1 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
1/2 Cup 2% Milk
1 (1 oz packet) Ranch Flavored Salad Dressing Mix
6 Slices Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 (10 oz pkg.) Spinach, frozen, thawed, drained
1 Tbsp Pimiento, chopped

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350ºF

In a small mixing bowl combine cheese, ranch salad dressing mix, and Italian seasoning. Roll chicken pieces in cheese mixture to coat lightly; set remaining cheese mixture aside. Arrange the pieces in an 8x8x2-inch baking dish. In a small saucepan cook onion in hot margarine until tender.

Stir in flour; add milk all at once. Cook and stir till bubbly; stir in drained spinach and pimiento. Place a slice of cheese and spoon the spinach mixture over the chicken; sprinkle with remaining cheese mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes or until tender.
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Chicken Pasta Alfredo
Serves 6

6 Qts Water
12 oz Fettuccine Pasta
2 Tbsp Peanut Oil
6 (4 oz) Chicken Breast, boneless, skinless
2 (10-3/4 oz can) Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 (20 oz bag) Frozen Broccoli Florets
3/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated

Instructions:
Heat a large pot of water, over high heat. When water comes to a boil add the pasta and boil for 8-10 minutes. Drain; reserving 2 cups pasta water. Cut the chicken into strips (1/4''x1''); set aside.

In a large frying pan, over medium-high heat, add the oil and chicken pieces stirring frequently until golden brown.

In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add the chicken pieces, sauce, 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, stirring frequently. Add the remaining pasta water into the saucepan and bring just to a boil, then add the broccoli. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Divide the cooked pasta evenly between serving dishes and top with chicken and broccoli mixture.
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Spanish Meatloaf
Serves 6

1-1/2 lb Ground Beef, lean
1 (5.5 oz envelope) Wyler's ''Hearty Beef Stew'' Soup Starter
1 (8 oz bag) Mexican Style Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 (4 oz can) Diced Green Chili Peppers
1 (14-1/2 oz can) Diced Tomatoes, drained
1 Cup BBQ Sauce (recommended: Kraft Carb Well)

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350ºF

In a large bowl add the soup starter, diced green chili peppers, and the diced tomatoes; mix until the liquid is absorbed. Add the ground beef and BBQ sauce and mix thoroughly until well combined.

Place 1/2 of the mixture in a loaf pan, making a well in the meat, top evenly with the cheese and place the remainder of the meat mixture on top to seal.

Bake for 45 minutes; drain any residual fat if necessary.

Place the meatloaf on a warmed serving platter and serve immediately. Serve with mixed vegetables or a salad.
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Crab Quiche
Serves 6

1 (8 oz pkg.) Louis Kemp Crab Delights, flaked
3/4 Cup Mexican Style Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1/2 (8 oz pkg.) Cream Cheese, cut into 1/4'' cubes
1/4 Cup Green Onions, sliced
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Basil
1/2 Cup Heart Healthy Bisquick
1 Cup 1% Milk ''Skim''
1/2 Cup Eggbeaters
3 SecondsNonstick Cooking Spray

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350ºF

Mix the crab delights, shredded cheese, cream cheese, onions, salt, and basil in a medium bowl.

Coat a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray and spread the crab mixture into the bottom.

Beat the remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour over the crab mixture and bake for about 40-45 minutes.

Serve immediately.
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Strawberry Shake
Serves 2

1 Cup Frozen Strawberries, thawed
2 Tbsp Honey
1 Cup Cold 2%Milk
1 Cup Plain Yogurt
2 Tbsp Sugar Substitute (recommended: Splenda)
2 Whole Strawberries, garnish

Instructions:
Puree the strawberries and honey in a blender or food processor. Add milk, sweetener and yogurt; blend until smooth.

Pour into glasses; garnish each with a whole strawberry

Answer 9

First of all it is so generous of you to go to the shelter and adopt. Be prepared to feed them a lot. Teenagers are always hungry! I hope you got two that were housebroken!!

Answer 10

im a teenager, all i eat is chips, pizza, jacket potatoe, rice, n sweets n im still only 7 & a half stone. so let them eat what they want most teenagers are healthy anyway xx