How to Waste Less Food When You Have Small Children

No matter what you prepare, do you always end up throwing away the food your kids don’t finish? Stop suffering from food waste. With these tips, you will no longer struggle at mealtime with these issues.Don't Overdo the PortionsDepending on age, size, and level of physical activity, young children require approximately 1,000 to 1,400 calories a day. If you serve your 4-year-old the same amount as you, it’s obvious the child won’t finish the food.Store in PortionsIf you prepare meals in advance, we recommend freezing them in individual portions. This way, you will only need to thaw and heat the amount your little one will actually eat.Make Use of LeftoversPlan your menu so you can make use of what you have left over from one day to prepare the meal for another. For example, if one day you make homemade chicken picadillo  , later you can prepare stuffed zucchini or with what you have left from the previous day. Prepare Small PortionsIt is very important to consider that children's appetite and cravings can change from one moment to another. If they ask for molletes, prepare only one and wait until they finish it to see if they want another. Never jump ahead because you could end up wasting food. Reserve the Sauce Only for Their DishSome children love to drown their rice in tomato sauce and pancakes in syrup. To avoid ruining the entire pot of food, it’s best to put just a little of your child’s favorite sauce on their plate. This way, the rest of the food will remain intact.Serve in a Fun WayThe problem with many children is that they are influenced by how food looks and often reject a dish just based on its appearance. Delight your little ones by decorating their food attractively. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do much. Sometimes just adding a chocolate bunny is enough.line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; data-mce-style=font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;>Teach Them to Eat What’s AvailableAlways remember this: if you give in once, you’ve lost. Teach your children to learn that they should eat what is available at home. If you prepare soy chorizo enmoladas, that is what they will eat. Don’t give them the option to choose something else, or you will always be throwing away what they don’t want.Visit our section on food for kids and discover delicious recipes that your children will love.line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; data-mce-style=font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;>