Chicken Nuggets Alternative

My daughter loves chicken nuggets like many kids. They are kid sized, tasty and can come with several options for dipping.

Fast food versions of chicken nuggets are not the most healthy, so here's a great alterantive.

Take boneless, skinless chicken breasts and grill/bake them. Then cut into small bite sized/kid friendly pieces. You can store in the small containers/plastic bags in the right amount needed and refrigerate or freeze. Then they're ready to go when you need.

To cook without any added fat, use a fat-free cooking spray or cook on a tabeltop grill like George Foreman or an outdoor grill. Season with salt-free spices such as Mrs. Dash or your own favorite seasonings for a great taste.

Benefits

• Your kids be consuming 100% real chicken that may or may not be in the fast food versions
• Less sodium (or salt) in the homemade version - you have control over how much goes on
• Your kids can help with the meal by cutting up the chicken with a child-safe knife or help you make your own great dipping sauces
• It will probably take you the same amount of time to cook the chicken as it would to sit in the drive-through and order your food and wait for it to be made
• Save money, especially if you get chicken on sale - if chicken is on sale for $2.00/lb you get a whole 8oz (roughly 6oz cooked) for only $1.00

Let's compare some of the fast food options:

McDonald's McNuggets 4 pc   190 calories, 18gm fat and 540mg sodium (1)

Chick-fil-A grilled 6pc              110 calories, 1.5gm fat and 840mg sodium (2)

Chick-fil-A pressure ckd 6pc   200 calories, 9gm fat and 745mg sodium (3)

Wendy's chicken nuggets          220 calories, 14gm fat and 460mg sodium (4)

KFC Popcorn chick, kids         230 calories, 17gm fat and 690 mg sodium (5)

Compare to:

Chicken breast, rst,broil,bk 3oz  141 calories, 3mg fat and 341 mg sodium (6)

References

(1) http://www.mcdonalds.com/

(2, 3) http://www.chick-fil-a.com/

(4) http://www.wendys.com/

(5) http://www.kfc.com/

(6) http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

Shop Now, Store For Later

When items are on sell, purchase a little extra and freeze, can, store the extra for later.
It's always a good idea to have a reserve food storage in your pantry.

Items that are good to store:

1. Freeze fresh fruits such as berries, bananas, pineapple, mangoes, etc in plastic bags. Pull from the freezer when needed.
2. If possible, can meat such as chicken or beef when on sell. Jars can be reused and a food processor can be a great investment. Visit the National Center for Home Preservation for details on canning.
3. Freeze vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc. Try grilling before freezing to be pulled for easy, quick dinners.
4. Freeze meat, poultry and fish  - package in a amount normally used for meals that way it can easily be pulled from the freezer for one meal.
5. Stock up on canned food when possible.

Save Money & Eat Better

Eating healthy doesn't have to cost more.
Here are some tips to help you save a few dollars on the food you need:

• Purchase Fruits and Vegetables - they are packed with essential nutrients and make great snacks
• Fresh is Best - fresh fruits and vegetables have higher nutrient values when in season and are less expensive 
• Choose Frozen After Fresh - often frozen fruits/vegetables are picked when they are ripe and frozen immediately retaining a high level of nutrients
• Shop the Perimeter - the healthy foods are usually on the outside. Stores strategically place the higher priced and often unhealthier foods in the middle of the isles at eye level
• Use Coupons - clip online or in local papers and buy when food is on sell
• Stock Up - purchase a few additional items if possible when they are on sale, that way you have them on hand when needed
• Choose Whole Grains - often whole wheat or whole grain items such as pasta are the same price
• Eat In - save a few bucks and make a fancy dinner at home - it will save you money and calories
• Plan a Menu - helps to buy needed food and not wanted foor on on impulse
• Never Shop Hungry - when an empty stomach chooses what's bought, it's often high calorie/high fat foods

For additional tips view MyPlate website at http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

Why the Blog?

I've been wanting to start this blog for a while now, but as many of you can relate to - life has a way of getting in the way sometimes.

The focus of this blog is to share credible nutrition information, food tips as well as recipes that are simple, nutritious and delicious!

Enjoy!