One of the biggest challenges parents face is what to feed our kids. This week we’re getting some expert help from Dana Pollack, CEO, and Founder of Dana’s Bakery. (You might be relieved to hear that even a professional chef sometimes sticks to the basics like chicken nuggets and PB&J.) 

ASK AN EXPERT: What a trained chef feeds her kids

We sat down with Dana Pollack, CEO & Founder of Dana’s Bakery, and author of Dana’s Bakery cookbook.  

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[This interview has been edited for time and clarity.]

What is your strategy when it comes to meals? Do you plan them out at the beginning of the week or just use what’s in your fridge? 

Both of my girls used to be great eaters and as they’ve become older (5 & 2)  they’ve become pickier, which I’ve heard from other parents as well. My kids actually eat very few of my meals. 

That makes me feel better! So what do they eat? 

The usual stuff. Peanut butter and jelly. Chicken nuggets and peas. Pizza and pasta. So I don’t plan their meals because I have a hard enough time planning my own meals. But I’ll give them the food they want with healthier substitutions. 

Like what? 

I’ll do sprouted bread instead of regular bread. If it’s pasta, I’ll give them a protein pasta. Or I’ll make a sauce with tofu so they can’t tell the difference. I’ll use coconut sugar instead of white sugar. Same thing with flour. If you know your child likes chicken nuggets, get a healthy version. I like Applegate Farms, it’s an organic chicken nugget. But there are so many great brands on the market, and most of the major food producers now have more natural brands.  

Any tricks to getting your kids to try new things? 

If you want them to try something new, cut it up and put it on plates, and use toothpicks. Kids don’t look at food the same way we do. They want it to be fun. That’s how I get Leni (my 5-year-old) to eat vegetables. I cut them up and put them on a plate. 

I also like to have one or two safe foods on the table that you know they’re going to eat, and one or two new things that you WANT them to try, and eventually they might explore. 

Great advice. Do your kids ever help you cook? 

I try to get them excited about cooking. I have little kid cooking sets. I’ll have Leni help me cut or separate the asparagus. A great trick is to get your child to help you make their meals or snacks; turn it into a fun project. 

You’re of course a trained professional. Are there easy things to make with kids? 

So kids’ meals can be easy, and you can also make them fun. Instead of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, do it in a wrap. We make a chia seed pudding with fruit. My kids put all the fruit in it. We do it the night before and then see what it looks like the next day. And I’ll say, eating this is going to make your heart strong. Eating carrots is going to make your eyes strong. So everything needs to be a game. 

Editor’s Note: Next week, Dana gives us her tricks for saving some money at the supermarket. And she shares her go-to healthy-ish dessert (no, it’s not her famous macarons!)