Can You See Past Your Chicken?

Posted by Lesli

Do you ever wonder what to have with your fish for supper? Or wonder what would go good with pork roast? I remember a friend telling that she just didn’t know how to put a meal together. Sure, she could bake some chicken, but then what? I was surprised to learn that she couldn’t see past her chicken…

As a rule of thumb, when thinking of what to have for supper, I try to include a food from the meat group (fish, steak, chicken, etc.), a starch (like bread, pasta, rice, etc.), and a vegetable or two. I might have a glass of orange juice or milk to further enhance my efforts of including each food group. Where did I learn to think like this? From Mr. Hamilton, my fifth grade teacher, but also from the Canada Food Guide.

The Canada Food Guide was drilled into my head in elementary school – and it stuck! (Unfortunately, Chemistry was also drilled into my head, but Scientist I’m not!) In Health class we had to make up menu plans that were nutritious, and used the suggested amount of servings outlined in the Canada Food Guide from each food group. At the time I thought it was a bore, little did I know that I would actually use that information later in life...

Here are some of the meals I make often. So, if you can’t see past your chicken, maybe this’ll give you the inspiration you need to come up with a complete meal every night of the week…

Supper Combo Ideas:

Salmon, Brown Rice, Green Beans, Green Salad
Baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Green Peas, Carrots
Roast Beef, Roast Potatoes, Roast Carrots, Broccoli
Sausages, Perogies, Mixed Vegetables
Chicken Strips, Pasta & Parmesan, Broccoli
Eggs, Hashbrowns, Tomatoes
Hamburgers, Buns, Green Salad
Lasagna, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread

...I think you get the idea – what’s your favourite supper combination?

TAGS: Canada Food Guide, Chicken, Combination, Ideas, Meal, Meat, Menu, Starch, Supper, Vegetables
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