A Review of Family-Friendly Cookbooks

Written by Keeley Drotz, RD, CD of HealthCastle.com
Published in April 2009

(HealthCastle.com) When it comes to putting dinner on the table, nothing is more discouraging than hearing, "Yuck! I don't like that!" or "Gross - what is that?"; The following cookbooks will help you prepare healthy meals your entire family will enjoy.

A Review of Family-Friendly Cookbooks

The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals Author: Missy Chase Lapine (Running Press Books, 2007; Paperback) New York Times bestseller Written by former publisher of Eating Well magazine who is a cooking instructor and mom Over 75 kid-favorite recipes, such as: Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins (containing yams, carrots, whole grains), Incognito Burritos (cauliflower and zucchini), and Unbelievable Choc-ful Cupcakes (spinach, blueberries, whole grains) Using substitutions and make-ahead purees, you can make healthy meals your children will eat - and they won't even know (or taste) that it's good for them Introductory chapters are packed with great information. Chapters: Keep 'em Happy and Healthy; For Their Own Good; My Philosophy About Food; The Lists (e.g. 12 Least Contaminated Foods, Staples to Buy); Sneaky Chef Bag of Tricks; Make-Ahead Recipes; Recipes: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner - Treats - Drinks   The Moms' Guide to Meal Makeovers: Improving the Way Your Family Eats, One Meal at a Time! Author: Janice Newell Bissex, MS, RD and Liz Weiss, MS, RD (Broadway Books, 2004; Paperback) Written by Registered Dietitians (nutrition experts) who are also mothers 120 recipes, including Broc 'n Roll Wraps, Cornmeal Apple Pancakes, and Blueberry Snack Cake Recipes provide nutritional analysis, "Kitchen Notes," and preparation and cooking times Very thorough "Getting Started" section provides a wealth of information and practical tips for getting your family to eat healthier Divided into 2 sections Getting Started: Why Do Families Need a Meal Makeover?; The 5-Step Meal Makeover Plan; The Best of the Bunch: Convenience and Fast Food; The Meal Makeover Pantry Recipes: Soups and Stews; Sandwiches and Wraps; Breakfast for Dinner; Pasta and Pizza; Vegetarian; Beef and Pork; Seafood; Poultry; Sensible Side Dishes; Deliciously Smart Desserts   The Six O'Clock Scramble: Quick, Healthy, and Delicious Dinner Recipes for Busy Families Author: Aviva Goldfarb (St. Martin's Griffin, 2006; Paperback) Author is the founder of The 6 O'Clock Scramble recipe newsletter, co-author of another cookbook, and a mom 260 dinner recipes, such as Tortilla Casserole, Pumpkin Black Bean Soup, and Thai Basil Chicken. Some are higher in fat, so check the nutrition information and substitute with lower-fat ingredients when appropriate Recipes include nutritional analysis, preparation and cooking times, and side dish recommendations. Many contain less than 10 ingredients and can be completed in 30 minutes or less. Helpful suggestions in the final chapters Chapters: The 6 O'Clock Scramble: Making It Easy to Get Dinner on the Table; A Well-Stocked Kitchen: Staples; Explanation of Nutritional Information; Menus: Fall - Winter - Spring - Summer; Simple Side Dishes; Beyond Cheerios: Ideas for Feeding Babies and Toddlers; School and Day-Care Snacks and Lunches   YUM-O! The Family Cookbook Author: Rachael Ray (Clarkson Potter Publishers, 2008; Hardcover) Written by a popular chef who is a host on The Food Network and a bestselling cookbook author Over 100 fun recipes, including: Tortilla Scrambles, Lunch Box Fun-due, and Supper-Size Egg Rolls Focuses on using less fat and more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. However, many recipes call for full-fat ingredients (e.g. cheese, cream), so you may need to replace them with lower-fat alternatives Written to make it easy, affordable, and fun for families to eat healthy Designed so kids can help with meal preparation Family-friendly colorful design that includes photos Sections: Introduction; Note to Kids; Rise and Dine!; Lunch Boxes that Rock and Snack-Attackers; It's All in the Numbers; Dinner Time!; Afterword from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation

The Bottom Line

Whatever cookbook you choose, the most important decision you can make is to prepare healthful meals for your family.

Disclaimer: HealthCastle.com did not, and will not, receive monetary compensation for this review. Editorial reviews on this website do not endorse commercial products or trade names.