From sugar free ice-cream to organic soft drinks, now more than ever mums are being coerced into following baseless nutritional fads when it comes to nourishing their families. Rather than having created a generation of super beings, children seem to be developing ever more health issues as a direct result of parental mollycoddling.

Thanks to the modern parents penchant for hand sanitizer it seems like every second child is allergic to something. Not to mention the fact that almost a quarter of Australian children are classified as overweight or obese, more than double the statistic for youths from the late 1980s.

Clearly these gluten free, soy rich, over pasteurized diets aren’t doing as much for the youth of the nation as mums have been led to believe. Perhaps it’s time to get to basics and care for our families bellies the way our mothers did for us – with traditional, hearty meals, keeping everything in moderation. After all, we turned out alright.

With this in mind, here’s a look at six healthy, hearty meals you enjoyed as a kid.

Roast
Lean beef, chicken, turkey and pork are high protein, low calorie meats force your body to work in order to digest, boosting your metabolism in the process. In this respect, eating a piece of roasted meat can actually accelerate weight loss.

For a top-notch seasoned roast turkey recipe, click here.

Spaghetti Bolognaise
Not only is using lean mince meat in spaghetti bolognaise a great way of boosting your families metabolism and assisting digestions, but mums can trick reluctant kids into eating veggies like grated carrot, celery and baby spinach by hiding them in the sauce.

Rather than hitting the supermarket pasta sauce isle, try making your own using fresh tomato.

Baked Potato
Nothing says wholesome family cuisine like the humble baked potato. While carbohydrates seem to be treated as something of a culinary antichrist these days, keep in mind that they are an invaluable source of energy for growing children.

When it comes to adding toppings to your baked potato, the healthier the better.

Shepherds Pie
Minced lamb is rich in protein, a great source of vitamin B, zinc and iron. Add a layer of fluffy mashed potato topped with melted cheese and you’ve made yourself a meal the whole family will love.

Check out how to make this wholesome family favourite.

Beef and Veg Casserole
A casserole chock full of lean meat and an array of garden vegetables is not only incredibly filling but also nutritious. Best of all it can be refrigerated and reheated, meaning you can spend a night out of the kitchen.

Beat the winter chill with a hearty casserole.

Fish Fingers
Fish tends to be low in fat and a great source of essential vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids like omega-3. Fish fingers are a great way of getting your kids to eat seafood as well as a quick and easy snack to prepare.

Instead of heading for the frozen section at the supermarket, give these home made fish fingers a go.


HEALTHY EATING TIPS FOR MUMS

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