Meal planning is one thing, but how do you build your recipe collection in the first place? And where do you go when you’re looking to make a change, such as trying a new technique, or cooking an unfamiliar food for the first time? In this special episode of The Mom Hour, Meagan and Sarah talk about both the challenges of feeding a family healthfully, as well as the sources of inspiration we look to when we find ourselves in a rut. From tearing recipes out of magazines (do people still do that?) to our favorite cookbooks and foodie websites, we’re sharing where, exactly, we get our best meal ideas. We also speak with Megan Lott, the Deputy Director of Healthy Eating Research, who is sharing their latest recommendations on how families can work on healthy mealtime habits. 

We’re thrilled to partner with Healthy Eating Research on this episode! Over the years we’ve talked about how some of our kids have been pickier eaters than others, so our listeners should know by now that new food reluctance is super common. However, just because we know it’s normal doesn’t mean we still don’t stress about it. That’s why we’re so impressed by the new nutrition recommendations by Healthy Eating Research. Instead of talking about what kids should be eating, these tips really dig into how we can help our families develop healthy habits around food and mealtime. Healthy Eating Research has some super smart and practical advice for parents to try at home.

Childhood is an important time for the development of eating behaviors and habits that last into adulthood. These habits play an essential role in growth, development, overall health, and the prevention of obesity and other chronic diseases.  Healthy Eating Research’s recommendations are based on evidence that autonomy, structure, and repetition are key to helping young children develop healthy eating habits.

Healthy Eating Research has research-based recommendations for creating healthy eating habits for our kids. At www.healthyeatingresearch.org you can find more than 30 strategies and resources like tip sheets (in both English and Spanish), answers to your most common feeding challenges, videos, and graphics. 

Follow @healthyeatingresearch on Instagram for excellent tips on encouraging kids to try new foods, creating meal routines, and getting kids involved.

• Learn more about our sponsor Healthy Eating Research and their new recommendations for kids healthy food habits
• Megan Lott recommends myplate.gov for great nutrition resources and New York Times Cooking for recipes
• The Girl Next Door Podcast did a whole episode on their favorite cookbooks
• Didn’t I Just Feed You is a fave food podcast for parents
• It’s easy to find a ton of recipes on Instagram, Pinterest, Food Network, and Allrecipes
• Meagan and Sarah both love the special interest food publications from Better Homes and Gardens
• Some of Sarah’s favorite cookbooks are America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook, and Pascale Beale’s Salade: Recipes From The Market Table and Salade II: More Recipes From The Market Table
• Sometimes, our go-to dishes are riffs on recipes from celebrity chefs or food personalities like Alton Brown, Ree Drummond, or Paula Deen
• Even if we don’t cook any of the dishes, it’s entertaining to watch food shows, such as “Taste The Nation” and “Searching For Italy”
• Check out all our episodes and blog posts on feeding a family

The post Cooking Inspiration: Where We Get Our Best Ideas (And How To Re-Inspire Your Menus!) appeared first on The Mom Hour.