Frozen kids ready meals are becoming more and more popular, as parents are beginning to see the many benefits they can bring. A lot of families are concerned that pre-prepared and frozen meals are unhealthy for children, but this misconception couldn’t be further from the truth.

Kids Ready Meals Provide A Nutritious, Balanced Diet

Many parents find themselves stuck in a rut with the meals they cook at home for their children. Preparing the same meals week in week out might be an easy, fast option, but it isn’t giving your little ones much variety when it comes to their nutrition.

Kids ready meals can provide a vast range of fruits and vegetables that you might not usually include in your home cooking. From Vegetable Lasagne to Hidden Veg Macaroni Cheese, kids ready meals from Hey Fresto! are packed full of nutritional goodness.

Perfectly Planned Portions

Knowing the perfect portion size for children can be a challenge. It is common for parents to plate up way more food than their little tummies need, which can lead to overeating. Kids ready meals are prepared in perfect portion sizes for children, so you can be sure your children are getting the right amount at mealtimes.

Not only are the portions specifically designed for kids, but the balance between foods is just right too. Your children will receive the ideal amount of protein, carbohydrates and fats, which can be very difficult to determine with home cooking. A huge benefit of ready meals for children is that the exact nutritional information is available immediately, so you know exactly what is going into their bodies.

Quick And Easy Kids Ready Meals

Every parent knows that cooking a nutritious, healthy meal from scratch takes a lot of time and effort. There are always going to be some days where this isn’t possible. Instead of relying on oven-cooked pizzas and chicken nuggets on the evenings where home cooking isn’t an option, kids ready meals are a much healthier alternative. Ready meals designed for children are full of nutrients and goodness that can’t usually be found in super-quick meals. Our prepared meals are stored in the freezer and can be ready to eat in just 20 to 30 minutes. Hey Fresto! kids meals are microwaveable, meaning they can be on the table in less than five minutes.

There are many reasons why kids ready meals are an excellent choice for busy parents, but it is essential you choose meals that are healthy and nutritious. At Hey Fresto! all our ready meals are made to be balanced, delicious dinners. You can explore the nutritional information and full ingredients list of each of our kids’ ready meals on our website.

Read more at Hey Fresto

Children can become picky eaters for several reasons. Some children are inherently more sensitive to taste, smell and texture. Other children develop picky eating habits by copying their parents’ selective eating habits. 

Picky eating habits are more likely to develop when parents punish, bribe or reward their children’s eating behaviours. The goal for feeding picky eating children should be to try new foods early on and to keep food from starting a battle.

Cooking tricks and tips like blending vegetables into pasta sauces are all well and good for families who have an abundance of time to make home-cooked dinners every day, but this can be a real challenge for busy parents. 

The Hey Fresto Kids ready meals range can be a nutritious and delicious option for families that are short on time. You will find there are plenty of options for picky eaters for all budgets and tastes.

Our best children’s meals for fussy eaters

Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti bolognese is a family favourite that can be secretly packed full of goodness that your most fussy little ones won’t even notice. This meal is one of the best sellers in our kid’s ready meals range, and for good reason. Children will love the tasty blend of beef mince ragu on spaghetti pasta. Tomato and onion are cooked into the sauce and sure to be undetected by even the pickiest of eaters, so you can be sure they are getting one of their five a day.

Fruity Chicken Curry

Curry might not be your first thought when choosing a child’s meals for fussy eaters, but this one should not be dismissed. Bite-sized chicken pieces are cooked into an extra mild curry sauce and mixed with favourite fruits like sultanas. The sauce is yoghurt-based making it an excellent option for little ones, and sweet spices are used to create a delicious flavour designed just for kids.

Hidden Veg Macaroni Cheese

If you struggle to get your picky eaters to eat their vegetables, then this is the perfect kid’s ready meal for you. A tasty classic, macaroni cheese is packed full of nutritious veggies that your little ones won’t even notice. Cauliflower and onion make up the base of this yummy cheese sauce and ensures that your children will be getting one of their five a day from their dinner.

Cottage Pie With Root Veg Mash

When it comes to kids ready meals, this is a firm favourite among both parents and children. Ready to eat in just 25 minutes, this dish is made from beef mince and garden peas in sauce, topped with sweet potato mash. Making up 2 of their five a day, this dinner is perfect for fussy eaters who might usually turn their nose up at sweet potatoes or peas.

Penne In Tomato Sauce

Most fussy eaters crave simplicity in their meals, which is exactly what this dish offers. A super simple Italian tomato sauce is paired with penne pasta for an easy yet delicious dinner for all ages. Packed full of tomatoes, this children’s meal is one of their five a day and also vegan friendly.

Oriental Chicken Noodles

Noodles are a fun dinner for even the fussiest of eaters, and this oriental dish makes a scrumptious meal for everyone. Diced chicken breast is mixed with noodles, baby corn and red pepper and coated in a mild sweet and sour sauce. With no added salt, this kid’s ready meal is a sweet way to encourage fussy children to try new things.

Here at Hey Fresto! we offer a wide range of kids ready meals, which are perfect for fussy eaters and food lovers. Choose their favourites and order now for delivery straight to your door.

Tips for parents of fussy eaters

Here are some great tips taken from the NHS to help with your picky eaters:

• Give your child the same food as the rest of the family, but remember not to add salt to your child’s food. Check the label of any food product you use to make family meals.
• The best way for your child to learn to eat and enjoy new foods is to copy you. Try to eat with them as often as you can.
• Give small portions and praise your child for eating, even if they only eat a little.
• If your child rejects the food, do not force them to eat it. Just take the food away without saying anything. Try to stay calm, even if it’s very frustrating. Try the food again another time.
• Do not leave meals until your child is too hungry or tired to eat.
• Your child may be a slow eater, so be patient.
• Do not give your child too many snacks between meals – 2 healthy snacks a day is plenty.
• Do not use food as a reward. Your child may think of sweets as nice and vegetables as nasty. Instead, reward them with a trip to the park or promise to play a game with them.
• Make mealtimes enjoyable and not just about eating. Sit down and chat about other things.
• If you know any other children of the same age who are good eaters, ask them round for tea. But do not talk too much about how good the other children are.
• Ask an adult that your child likes and looks up to eat with you. Sometimes a child eats for someone else, such as a grandparent, without fuss.
• Changing how you serve a portion of food may make it more appealing. For example, your child might refuse cooked carrots but enjoy raw grated carrots.

At Hey Fresto!, we have a great range of healthy, tasty and nutritious meals kids love! Explore our range today and find out how having frozen food delivered is a hassle-free way to keep your kids healthy and happy at meal times.

Read more at Hey Fresto

Over the years, ready meals have gained a bad reputation for being full of additives, preservatives, and unhealthy ingredients. Which couldn’t be further from the truth.

You will quite often see questions like: Are ready meals bad for children? Is it ok to give your child a ready meal? Just how healthy is your child’s ready meal? Across the internet. but today the truth is, children’s frozen ready meals are a nutritious healthy option for all ages. 

Find out Serving Your Kids Ready Meals is ok. 

Kids Ready Meals Mean More Family Time

Cooking and preparing healthy meals for your family takes up a lot of time. Whether you choose to batch cook everything in one day or cook meals each evening, it’s time away from other family activities. 

With frozen kid’s meals, you can have dinner on the table with no prep time in less than 5 minutes. Giving you more opportunity to spend some quality time with your children, especially if you are all out at work and school during the day. 

Dishes like our delicious Kids Spaghetti bolognese can be oven-cooked in 20 minutes or microwave in just 5 minutes. In no time at all your little ones can enjoy a delicious nutritious meal, as well as quality time with you in the evening. 

Not only can ready meals leave you with less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your family, but they also mean you can all dine together effortlessly. 

Dining together as a family is very important for children, as it can encourage them to try new things, reduce stress, and improve relationships. 

When you are cooking separate meals for your children, sitting down at the same time is often impossible. With pre-made kids meals from Hey Fresto! your whole family can dine together, even if everyone is eating a different dinner. 

Frozen Kids Ready Meals Are Nutritious

When cooking at home, it can be challenging to know that your children are receiving all the right nutrients and goodness in their diets. 

All the kid’s meals from Hey Fresto! give you a complete breakdown of the ingredients and nutritional information for each dish, so you can be sure your little ones are eating well. 

And because all of our meals are flash frozen, they retain all their nutrients and need no preservatives to stay fresh.

So our kid’s meal selection can provide healthy, balanced dinners knowing exactly what your little ones are eating. There is so much variety in our kids-friendly meals, that you can make sure your children are getting a healthy mix of vegetables in all our meals. From Kids Fish Pie to Kids Fruity Chicken Curry. 

Kid-friendly frozen meals are also a great way to encourage your children to try new things. Home cooking for your family can become repetitive and it is easy to get stuck in a rut. 

With Hey Fresto! you can try a variety of different dishes with your kids and encourage even the fussiest of eaters to try new foods. 

Check out our top 6 kids-ready meals for fussy eaters.

Read more at Hey Fresto

1. Bananas 
2. Broccoli
3. Brown rice 
4. Green cabbage 
5. Carrots 
6. Chestnut mushrooms
7. Chickpeas
8. Garlic 
9. Kidney beans 
10. Lentils 
11. Oat milk 
12. Oats 
13. Sweet potato 

Breaking headlines this week, a Norwegian study has indicated up to thirteen years could be added to a person’s life expectancy if they increased the quantity of whole grains and legumes in their diet. 

A whole decade, just through the power of plants. 

Conducted by researchers from the University of Bergen in Norway, the study suggested the additional years could be added if an individual was to cut down on red and processed meats, opting for more plant-based eating instead.

However, sustaining a diet of so-called superfoods can be a daunting prospect both financially and practically; it can seem an exclusive world for people with the time and money to deseed pomegranates and concoct chia seed cupcakes. 

Add some hungry children into the mix and this becomes a cooking nightmare. 

But superfood is merely an internet buzzword for natural ingredients high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. 

Affordable and easy to include in weekly meals which kids love, there are many superfoods available consistently in UK supermarkets much cheaper than organic ground flax seeds. 

Saving you a google trawl, here is a breakdown of Hey Fresto!’s 13 cheap vegan superfoods to bolster your kids’ health with. 

The super 13

1. Bananas 

Aldi: 14p | Morrisons: 15.8p | Sainsbury’s: 14p | (Per banana)

Full of potassium, this funky-coloured fruit is well known for its health benefits. What you might not be aware of though is the key role potassium plays in maintaining a regular heartbeat and ensuring your muscles and nerves function correctly.  

Potassium is also a must in a child’s diet for regulating blood pressure. Possessing a high blood pressure in childhood can negatively affect the individual later on in their adult years. 

Eaten as they are, made into banana bread, or served with soya yoghurt, this yummy yellow favourite is widely available and inexpensive. 

2. Broccoli

Aldi: 47p | Morrisons: 46p | Sainsbury’s: £1.31 | (Per bunch)

The miniature trees of the food world, broccoli is a versatile veggie indicated to reduce the risk of certain cancers. 

One 2013 publication found evidence suggesting that a phytochemical in broccoli called sulforaphane may help detoxify airborne nasties such as those found in cigarette smoke. Not bad for a dark green veggie many a child has turned their nose up at. 

A healthy and suitable addition to most dishes from chilli to carbonara, broccoli is also delicious when baked with a little oil to crispen and add flavour. 

3. Brown rice 

Aldi: 99p | Morrisons: £1.85 | Sainsbury’s: £1.40 | (Per 1kg pack)

Wholesome wholegrain and nutritious fuel supply, brown rice is simply white rice which has not had its nutrient-rich bran or outer-layer removed. Where the magic happens, the hull or bran of brown rice is a great source of protein and fibre, a good food to give infants and kids if their digestive systems are moving slowly. 

With a nuttier flavour, this carbohydrate works great as an alternative to refined carbs, the perfect complement to a fragrant cauliflower curry or Moroccan squash tagine. 

4. Green cabbage 

Aldi: 43p | Morrisons: 45p | Sainsbury’s: 43p | (Per cabbage)

One of many green, leafy vegetables, cabbage holds a wealth of goodness such as anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

Whilst a less popular member of the fruit and vegetable world among children, cabbages can be smuggled into a meal with little detection. Try slicing them thinly and popping into a stir fry or turning shredded cabbage into vegan fritters. 

5. Carrots 

Aldi: 40p | Morrisons: 40p | Sainsbury’s: 40p | (Per 1kg pack)

Root veg rule. Carrots are no different. A comforting staple which has fuelled generations, carrots are thought to have originated in Afghanistan as a purple, not orange, vegetable. 

Stuffed with goodness, a half cup of carrot can give kids a whopping 73 percent of their required vitamin A consumption. Aiding growing bodies, this root veggie also supports a child’s cell growth as well as the healthy functioning of their lungs, heart, and kidneys. 

Showing itself in every British supermarket, carrots are easy to get your hands on and ideal to hide in stews for little ones who aren’t a fan. Alternatively, chop these orange veggies into classic sticks to dip into peanut butter or hummus. 

6. Chestnut mushrooms 

Aldi: 87p | Morrisons: 99p | Sainsbury’s: £1.20 | (Per pack)

Wonky, weird, and wonderful, mushrooms are a world of fun to introduce your children to. Unlike a lot of other veggies, these fruitful fungi have a lot of vitamin D which is vital for the development of strong bones and general growth in kids. 

They also contain beta-glucans, a type of complex carbohydrate, which can help lower blood sugar levels – a good food for those with diabetic issues. In addition, shrooms also contain adaptogens which help your body respond to viral and bacterial triggers, a must for kids who are forever picking up bugs from school. 

Earthy and meaty, chestnut mushrooms are equally a brilliant meat substitute to make soups, ramen, risottos, and many other dishes a whole lot cheaper. 

7. Chickpeas

Aldi: 30p | Morrisons: 45p | Sainsbury’s: 55p | (Per 400g tin)

A vegan go-to, these heavenly spheres of plant based proteins are the ultimate proof superfoods do not need to be pricey or time-consuming. Available straight out the tin or dried in a bag, chickpeas can be present in pretty much any type of meal. 

Lean, clean, fibre machines, chickpeas are a good source of zinc which plays a critical role in the growth of children. According to the World Health Organisation, a “deficiency in this micronutrient restricts childhood growth and decreases resistance to infections.” If this wasn’t enough to convince you in favour of the humble chickpea, then know they are naturally gluten-free too. 

Like our other superfoods, chickpeas are impeccable in just about everything. Hidden in hummus or used as a salad supplementer, these protein pearlers have been suggested to benefit brain development and mental health too. 

8. Garlic 

Aldi: 20p | Morrisons: 24.8p | Sainsbury’s: 25p | (Per 1 bulb)

Used as far back as 3750 BC by the Egyptians, garlic makes everything savoury better, it’s just a fact. Far from just a strong-smelling plant, this tangy bulb has been shown to behave as an anticoagulant. In non-science terms, garlic makes your blood platelets less likely to clump together and cause heart attacks. 

So getting your kids into these archaic cloves from an early age might not be such a bad idea! 

Brilliant for spicing up mayo and turning into aioli, garlic is great grilled, fried, baked, or smashed to add flavour to your dish of choice. 

9. Kidney beans 

Aldi: 30p | Morrisons: 45p | Sainsbury’s: 55p | (Per 400g tin)

Good sources of protein and omega-3 fatty acids that help maintain our cell membranes, kidney beans are maroon gems you should be introducing your kids to. On top of providing essential fats which our body doesn’t produce, kidney beans are useful for making homemade meat substitutes like burgers which are healthier and arguably tastier than processed alternatives. 

Although black beans are usually preferred in most recipes, Red kidney beans are also a smashing alternative to black beans in a chilli if the shops are low in stock. Smothered in a smoky, tomatoey sauce, kidney beans are a scrumptious addition to vegan versions of this classic. 

10. Lentils 

Aldi: 99p | Morrisons: £1.20 | Sainsbury’s: £1.15 | (Per 500g pack)

Soups, stews, pies, casseroles, the list of meals lentils can be included in is practically endless. Packed with protein, lentils are a necessary and essential legume to add to a vegetarian or vegan diet and are effective for making healthy, plant-based meat substitutes too. 

Loaded with fibre, potassium and folate, lentils are good for children’s and adults’ hearts, keeping them healthy and strong. 

11. Oat milk 

Aldi: 85p | Morrisons: 95p | Sainsbury’s: £1.10 | (Per 1 litre)

A silky and scrumptious substitute for milk, yoghurt, or cream, oat milk is a non-dairy superfood winner. Although a tad more costly than some of our listed vegan superfoods, oat milk is usually on offer in most supermarkets. 

A good source of vitamin B12 which helps our red blood cells to function, oat milk is a plant food you should seriously consider adding to your child’s balanced diet. 

Probably the biggest positive about this delicious drink is the complete absence of saturated fats, the type of fat which increases cholesterol and could lead to heart disease. 

Reserved for your kid’s breakfast cereals or poured as a vegan snack, it is unsurprising oat milk is a winner of the superfood market. 

12. Oats 

Aldi: 75p | Morrisons: 75p | Sainsbury’s: £1.10 | (Per 1kg pack)

A type of cereal grain, oats are well-known for being extremely fibrous and therefore great for your child’s digestive system. 

Controlling blood sugar, oats help your tummy stay fuller for much longer than its sugary cereal competitors. To keep your little ones satiated for the morning without snacking on sweets, porridge with oat milk is a good idea for a superfood breakfast. 

13. Sweet potato 

Aldi: 89p | Morrisons: 99p | Sainsbury’s: 89p | (Per kg of potato)

An upgrade of the regular spud, sweet potatoes have been indicated to reduce the duration of common colds in children by 13 percent. Good for keeping your child’s skin glowing, these potatoes are packed with vitamin C, copper and B6, aiding cognitive development and immune function. 

Roasted to release sweetness, popped in a simple jambalaya, or mashed with some salt, pepper, and a drizzle of oil, sweet potatoes are a filling and tasty accompaniment to your child’s diet. 

You can enjoy superfoods in the delicious frozen food delivered by Hey Fresto! Check out our vegan and vegeterian range today.

Want to learn more about superfoods? Be sure to check out our lastest blog about Organic Sea Moss!

• Keralan Red Pepper & Cauliflower Curry£5.25 – £8.90
• Mushroom Ramen£5.25 – £8.90
• Black Bean & Butternut Squash Quinoa Chilli£5.25 – £8.90
• Kids Penne Pasta In Tomato Sauce£2.90
• Kids Hidden Veg Macaroni Cheese£3.45
• Kids Butternut Squash Risotto£3.45

Read more at Hey Fresto