Topping-Bar Family Meals

This post isn’t a recipe, but rather, a super cool idea to please your kids for any meal (and it’ll make you look like the “cool” mom or dad).

We all know that buffets are diet sabotage.  There’s no way in the world you can go to one and stay on plan.  Even the best of intentions, such as: “I’ll just take a salad with dressing on the side,” fall by the wayside when your eyes scan the bountiful pleasures lined up for miles.  It’s not your fault; buffets are designed to tempt you and delight you (and keep you coming back for more).

Typical Buffet
Typical Buffet
Why not take the fun idea of a buffet, and turn it into a healthy breakfast, lunch or dinner idea that the kids will love, and won’t break your calorie bank.
 
Ideas include:
Yogurt bar-Offer different flavors of Chobani Greek yogurt and small dished of nuts, berries, coconut, granola, cereal, mini chocolate chips and dried fruit.
Yogurt Parfait from Yogurt Bar
Yogurt Parfait from Yogurt Bar
 
Oatmeal Bar-Oats, Quinoa, berry compote, granola,  fresh strawberries or blueberries, coconut, nuts, peaches, cinnamon, cocoa powder, protein powder, agave, honey, peanut butter, PB2, hard boiled egg whites (weird sounding, I know, but layered, it’s quite delicious).
Oatmeal Bar for the Kids!
Oatmeal Bar for the Kids!
 
Soup Bar-Offer a soup flavor or two (any Mexican soup or butternut squash or carrot soup) and set up your bar with cheese, black beans, avocado, grilled chicken and chips for the tortilla soup and creme fresh, goat cheese, curry powder, croutons, pita chips pepitas and pumpkin seeds for the butternut squash soup.
 
Taco or Quesadilla Bar-Cut up tomatoes, olives, beans, chicken, cheeses, guacamole, Greek yogurt or sour cream and shredded lettuce.
Taco Bar Fixings
Taco Bar Fixings
 
Salad Bar-Veggies, dried fruits, various cheeses, won tons, mandarin oranges, artichokes, grilled asparagus, etc.
 
Pizza Bar- Put out lots of veggies and various meats like grilled chicken or low fat turkey pepperoni.
 
Get creative and let your family take part in meal making.  You’ll end up with healthier kids and some darned good memories.
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