When did deciding what to put down our throats become so darn tough? Between the alarming rise in food recalls, flip-flopping health reports (Is wine good or bad for you?), and the over-reported news of truly gross things lurking in drive-thru burgers, deciding what to eat these days can be tougher than a $5 steak.
Sensationalist "food news" aside, putting healthy, tasty food in front of the family every day is often harder than it should be. Hectic family schedules send us through the drive-thru, instead of to the dinner table. When money's tight, we stockpile questionable bulk foods, instead of the tasty fresh stuff we'd rather have. And then there are those notoriously finicky appetites that can extinguish the adventurous spirit burning inside anyone who's ever diced an onion. What's a home cook to do?
Comfort food is OK
There's a reason it's called "comfort" food - Hearty, home-cooked meals are deeply satisfying. And while the ingredient list for some of these dishes would give a nutritionist fits, comfort food tends to satisfy quicker than the empty-calorie drive-thru and microwave fare that never quite seems to scratch that itch. Some suggestions:
Top bacon recipes, from sweet surprises to savory favorites
Desserts for any time of the day
Healthy takes on home-cookin'
More often, we're scratching our heads for inspiration on tasty, everyday meals that won't blow out our waistline. We've got you covered there, too:
Healthy makeovers for recipes you love
Tips for eating on a strict diet, from gluten-free to calorie conscious
Tough customers at the table
And then there's the nose-turner-uppers - the toddler who refuses to eat anything green, the teen who refuses to eat anything with a face, your gluten-free uncle and the foodie friend who keeps a restaurant "bucket list." Will these picky palates ever be satisfied? You bet:
Feeding folks with food phobias
Feeding your vegetarian teenager
All things gluten-free
Cooking to impress: recipes for foodies
Low-fat recipes for the dieters in your life
I don't eat vegetables! Recipes for meat lovers
