Healthy Alternatives

[Miasmamma]

I am preparing a quick lesson for my moms group on healthy alternatives to kid's favorite junk foods. I am looking for alternatives to things like chicken nuggets, fries, chips, pop, etc. For the most part I've got things like sweet potatoes in place of fries, apple or beet chips for potato chips, fruit smoothies in place of pop; but what I'm looking for is a good alternative to chicken nuggets. I was thinking chickpea burgers a la Gillian McKeefe, but I'm not finding a great and easy recipe. Does anyone have one or any other ideas? I'm planning on making a sampling of these items for the moms to taste. TIA!

[Alyantavid]

If you make chicken nuggets yourself, they are healthy. I use boneless, skinless breasts, just cut into smaller pieces, breaded and baked.

As for fries, I make my own, just cut potatoes, baked with a little salt.

[blessedwithboys]

i buy chicken tenderloins or breasts on sale and cut them into kid sized pieces and then i dip them in scrambled eggs with whatever seasoning fits the theme for that particular meal and then i dip in unsweetened shredded coconut and bake in the oven.

i have seen "all-natural" chicken nuggets at the warehouse club, but the are loaded with TVP, so we avoid.

oh, and as for soda pop, we make our own from scratch, TF-style

[cristeen]

I make my own chicken fingers out of boneless skinless thighs. A good replacement for soda (depending on your definition of good, I suppose) might be homemade lemonade, 100% juice mixed with mineral water/club soda, or even iced herbal teas (this is how I got my DH off soda).

[columbusmomma]

I like to make chicken nuggest with panko bread crumbs or crushed corn flakes.

[Miasmamma]

Thanks for the ideas! For those of you who make your own nuggets, can you freeze them and reheat like the ones you buy in the store? I know that being able to make them in big batches and freeze them for later will definately appeal to the moms I am presenting to.

[AAK]

Originally Posted by Miasmamma

Thanks for the ideas! For those of you who make your own nuggets, can you freeze them and reheat like the ones you buy in the store? I know that being able to make them in big batches and freeze them for later will definately appeal to the moms I am presenting to.

Freeze on a cookie sheet, then put into freezer bags. Reheating in the oven works best.

Amy

[Miasmamma]

Thanks!