This mum shows you how to adapt one meal for the whole family

‘I just LOVE cooking three different meals to cater for the different tastes of my family’ said NO MUM EVER.

Cat Christ has lost over 30kg on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge and today she shares how she adapts recipes from The Healthy Mummy for her family’s meals.

It means that she is cooking ONE dinner with just a few little tweaks to keep everybody happy (and healthy). We love it! Over to you Cat…

This mum shows you how to adapt one meal for the whole family

I am a mum of two and have lost over 30kgs using The Healthy Mummy Smoothies and 28 Day Weight Loss Challenges.

My journey began after seeing three digits pop up on the scales for the first time ever. Something had to change and I stumbled across The Healthy Mummy website by a total fluke while googling one night.

I am now 32kgs lighter, and am at my healthiest, fittest and strongest ever.

I teach group fitness classes as one of my jobs – classes like Body Step, Body Pump & Sh’Bam.

The 28 Day Weight Loss Challenges has taught me that healthy eating at home doesn’t have to mean cooking separate meals for you and the rest of the family.

Healthy swaps with the Healthy Mummy

Choosing meals that your family would normally eat and then finding a Healthy Mummy alternative is a great place to start.

For example, pizza…not many kids don’t like pizza. Did you know the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge Recipe Hub has 40 results with search word ‘pizza’? Crazy hey!?

There is sure to be one that everyone at your house likes!

I often tweak recipes or sides with our favourite mains to help cater to the majority. When we have pizzas we often have Pitas Pizzas and I cut up a range of toppings – ham, cheese, pineapple, mushrooms, olives, capsicum – (or whatever we have on hand) and I let everyone choose their own toppings.

This way we are all having the same meal, just slightly tweaked to suit all tastes.

When we have something like Cheesy Chicken Meatloaf, Mexican Lasagne or Tuna & Bacon Patties (get the recipe in the Challenge hub), the sides will vary depending on the season or what we feel like but usually either steamed veggies or a salad.

Someone always likes corn but not peas or carrot but not broccoli so I will cook about 3 or 4 veggies and let the kids choose which 2 or 3 they have that night.

I will then load up their plates with their chosen veggies.

For salads, I often cut up a “chunky salad” like a platter for them to create their own. I have found doing little tweaks like that keeps everyone eating the same meal and encourages clean plates all round.

Cat’s Family Faves

Here are some of our family favourites:

1. Healthy Mummy 2 Ingredient Pizza Dough (with toppings)

Try this recipe using just two ingredients for the pizza dough.

2. Burgers

Try these classic Beef Burgers which are totally customisable.

3. Chicken Nachos

This is a great recipe that everyone can make to their own tastes.

4. Cheesy Chicken Meatloaf

My kids LOVE this one. Get the Cheesy Chicken Meatloaf recipe here.

5. Devilled Sausages

Most kids like sausages, and this Devilled Sausage recipe is really easy to throw together.

6. Butter Chicken

Great for the cooler weather, Make This Homemade Butter Chicken In Under 30 Minutes.

7. Mexican Lasagne

This Mexican Lasagne recipe is great for a dinner party or a family meal.

8. Beef Nachos

Here’s a quick and easy beef nachos recipe.

9. Tuna & Bacon Patties

This tasty recipe is available to members of the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge. 

10. Breakfast for Dinner

Yep! You read correctly, breakfast for dinner. Using a breakfast recipe with eggs (and bacon) can make a super quick, no fuss, mid-week dinner. Try these baked eggs.

Plus, if you generally enjoy your Healthy Mummy Smoothie for brekky like I do, you often miss out on the delicious breakfast recipes in the Challenge Hub, so adding them to your dinner plan gives you the best of both worlds.