The Heartland Spa (Illinois)
Getting the family together for dinner at the table may seem like an impossible dream, but with a few standard meal plans, that dream can be easily achieved. You will be teaching your children that “fast” food does not always mean the restaurant drive-through. And you will all enjoy spending time together.

Use your pantry and freezer to keep quick and easy to prepare foods on hand and you will be able prepare a delicious and nutritious meal quickly. Enlist your spouse or children to help with shopping, chopping and cooking.

A few of our favorite healthy quick meals are:

Breakfast for Dinner
Scramble one egg plus two whites and top with one ounce of Feta cheese and one cup of frozen or canned spinach. Add one slice of Canadian bacon, lean ham or soy sausage links and whole grain toast.

Pizza
Whole wheat English muffin, pita, or tortilla as pizza crust. Spoon canned tomato sauce on top, sprinkle with low-fat cheese, and your favorite veggies. Bake until the cheese is melted.

Super Supper Salad
Choose a prepackaged bag of mixed salad greens (not “no nutrition” iceberg lettuce) and use as the base of the salad. Top with pre-cooked chicken or salmon or canned beans (rinsed and drained). Add colorful veggies tailored to each family member’s taste buds. Drizzle with a small amount of salad dressing made with good fat-olive or canola oil. Serve with a warmed whole grain roll or bread stick.

Enjoy family time together and encourage your family to invent their own healthy “fast” food dinners!