[wordsmither]

Lately, L has been craving stuff like hard boiled eggs and peanut butter, so I did a search looking for high protein meals for kids, and was astonished to see how many links were about high protein meals and how they help kids w/ADHD.

Anyone done this for their kids and seen a positive effect?

Also, unfortunately, most meal idea seemed like they were designed for people who had a lot of time to prepare meals - which is not our case. I had a hard time finding sites that had a variety of meal ideas. Anyone have any resources there?

[Barksum]

I did a search for 'recipe by ingredient' and was able to find a site that allowed me to put in 'main dish' and then 'pork chops' or whatever. Do not ask me what the site was, though!! LOL

I've also found that Taste of Home
( Find Recipes, Appetizers, Desserts, Holiday Recipes & Healthy Cooking Tips, | Taste Of Home ) has recipes that can be done quickly. I think they have a "30 minutes til dinner" section. Something like that. You do have to have ready-made stuff on hand, like canned goods or precooked kinds of meat.

Also, beans are good sources of protein. You can combine them with another source to get a complete protein, and it doesn't have to be at the same meal. I found that to be wonderfully helpful! LOL You can serve the two complimentary proteins in the same meal, but you can just do it in the same day, too. We find that Mexican food is a great way to go for quick meals that are filling and you can put lots of protein in them. Beans, rice, cheese, meat...yum! My kids are all tostada fanatics so we often have those, especially in the summer.

[kretzklan]

Wow, never thought about that link. I use a lot of recipe sites - and search for 'quick fixes'. Interestingly, DS2 drinks protein shakes to help gain weight and thinking back - I do see that his attention issues have been lessened. Of course, the protein shakes and Concerta were all about the same timing...so hard telling which was the 'biggie'.

[momraine]

You might also check for some recipes from some of the high protein diets that are popular, you know like south beach and some of the other ones. Depending on if the kids have weight problems adding beans, meats, nuts, cheese and milk or soy to things adds protein. Nuts or peanut butter can be used as snacks to add protein.

[po]

You can also buy protein powder and add it to smoothies. My husband had bariatric surgery and has to have a certain amount of protein a day. He makes smoothie using cup of milk, big spoon of yogurt, big spoon of sour cream, 2 scoops of protein powder, some fruit, a little juice and crushed ice. Then he used a blender until it is whipped and almost like an icy. They are very good. It makes a large drink so it can be shared by all. Depending on the amount of protein in the powder it can be a s high as 40 mg.

[ajjhmf]

We're found that what our son eats really contributes to his hyperactivity. One of the biggest keys has been to increase the amount of protein and eliminate the procesed sugars and dyes.

Starting with protein is a real key to J's day. I've gotten pretty good at scrambling some eggs with shredded cheese by the time het gets to the table. My son also loves natural peanut butter in a bowl with either a bananna or apple slices for beakfast. Also, if your kid will eat them, you can keep a box of protien bars on hand for depserate mornings, lol.

Lunch is usually a PB&J (heavy PB with light J) on organic or all natural bread with natural peanut butter and simple organic preserves. I also do lots of meat and cheese combos for him. Again with the natural/organic stuff and lots of healthy "sides;" natural fruit leather, cheese sticks, Organic yogurt tubes, pretzels.


Dinner is obviously easier since I have more time and it doesn't have ot be transported, lol. Barki is dead on about the beans. They are an awesome source and can go with just about any cuisine. I've been experimenting with pureeing foods with a little liquid and hiding them in other foods my kids like.