How important are home-made meals to my 1 & 2 year old?

Answer 1

They do not even realize how much time you put into any meal at this stage. Just make sure you feed them healthy.

Answer 2

Nutrition is very important! You don't have to go all out and spend hours cooking elaborate meals though. Just limit the amount of sugar, processed foods, artificial ingredients/colors and trans-fats your kids eat.

I'm not a health nut but I don't want my kids eating garbage either. There have been studies that prove that nutrition influences a child's ability to learn. I believe that. Even if you don't agree with this theory, why not give your kids every advantage to be the best they can be?

A little cake, candy or a few chips won't hurt a kid but try to give them good food most of the time! ;) Good luck!

Answer 3

Very important!
Good nutritional habits begin now! You should not be pumping your child full of fat and grease. Most prepackaged meals and most fast food contains trans fat or hydrogenated oils. These oils are terrible for the body. They are man made and your body has no idea how to process them. Trans fat is worse than saturated fat. Not only does trans fat raise your bad cholesterol but it strips away the good cholesterol. It also alters cell structure resulting in long term damage of cells which can lead to many health issues, including cancers. If you know any cancer survivors ask them if their doctors told them to avoid prepackaged food or to eat a more whole foods diet. Knowing all of this, why would you want to do this to your children's bodies?

Home cooked meals are not that difficult to do.There are plenty that can be made simply and that are pleasing to young children. Home cooking does not mean you spend all your time in the kitchen. It is easier than most think. Also, if you have access to a whole foods store then there are boxed options that are all natural and free of trans fat and other preservatives. Look at brands like Annie's Home Grown or Amy's. Annie's makes some excellent mac and cheese. I mean, I like to cook from scratch but even I don't have time to cook EVERY night. But I make sure our boxed dinners or frozen pizzas are all natural.

Edited to add: Here are a few cookbooks that may be of use to you.

*Cooking Rocks! Rachel Ray 30-minute meals For Kids (I LOVE this book--I enjoy the recipes as much or even more than the kids do)

*Healthy Food by Leanne Ely. She has a ton of books out now. This one was the first one I had when I first got started on the home made meals kick. She has some very good ideas for quick, healthy meals. Also, check out her website savingdinner.com

*Kinder Krunchies-Healthy Snack Recipes for Children by Karen Jenkins. This is a book put out by Discovery Toys. It is a good tool though for snack ideas. I got my copy on ebay.

Answer 4

Its better than fast food junk and a whole lot less fatting. Its important for them to eat at the table with you.Mac and cheese is easy so are a lot of simple but healty meals for them.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/recipes/index.html
here are some easy quick recipes for you.The Ants on a Log looks good as well as a fun food.

Answer 5

Very Important

Answer 6

Extermely important. Firstly there's more nutrients in home cooked meals,compared to processed and take away foods. Secondly if you dont introduce healthy foods at a early age your kids wont eat them later on. They'll get fat and of course will suffer from diet related illneses later in life. It is your duty as a parent to look after your kids that includes feeding them well.

Answer 7

Nutrition is very important in early toddler years. Fresh fruit and veggies and even frozen are great. Canned tend to have more salt or sugar and preservatives. Dairy products are also important for calcium and vit D absorption, you don't want your kids to get rickets. Go for lean meats, that aren't fried in there own fat. Just as important as what is going in to their system is the environment that they are in during consumption. Family dinner is something they will remember long after the spinach is gone.

Answer 8

Hmmm. Well, you could just feed them Happy Meals until they croak at age 35.

VERY IMPORTANT! Ever hear the term, "You Are What You Eat"? Fast food does not provide good nutrition.

Answer 9

its not really that important i mean its good because they get to know u as their mother the one woman who can make mcdonald happy meals at home but it really doesnt matter at that point in age unless he can talk an is always wanted fast food then of course that their decision i hope this helps...

Answer 10

That depends.

If you cooked crappy homemade meals that are loaded with butter and junk, then they aren't very important.

It doesn't matter where they eat, as long as WHAT they eat is healthy and that you know for a fact it is healthy. And since it's easiest to eat healthy when you cooked it and know what's in it, then it is a good idea to make homemade meals the bulk of their meals.