Food For Kids

FFK101: How to get my child to eat pulses or legumes - beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas.

16 min · 14. maj 2026
episode FFK101: How to get my child to eat pulses or legumes - beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas. cover

Description

Today’s episode is part of our series of how to get kids to eat more of something, and today it’s the turn of pulses or legumes, so beans, lentils and peas. I don’t think I need to explain in too much detail why it’s great to help kids to like legumes. So you want to have more pulses in your family’s food, but how to get your child to accept them? As with our other epsiodes on this, we’re not actually aiming to get our kids to do anything. We are finding ways to give children opportunities to build familiarity with a food and try it when they feel comfortable, or building foods into or alongside familiar foods so they feel comfortable to eat. In this episode Joanne gives some suggestions of dishes where the beans or lentils are obvious to see and taste, and some where they are mixed or blended in so their texture might be easier to cope with for some children. But as usual even when we are mixing things in together, the idea is not to hide them and pretend they are not there, if asked you can always tell the truth or allow them to help to prep them. Hiding and sneaking only builds distrust. But there is nothing wrong with blending or mixing things in to make foods easier to approach and just be honest if asked. The episode gives lots of ways to get more beans, lentils and peas into your family’s food. And there are lots of recipes in the shownotes. Links in this episode: Why beans are so good for us: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/sites/default/files/2025-10/TFF_Beans%20Facts_DIGITAL_0.pdf [https://foodfoundation.org.uk/sites/default/files/2025-10/TFF_Beans%20Facts_DIGITAL_0.pdf] Food Foundation Bang In Some Beans campaign: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/initiatives/bang-in-some-beans [https://foodfoundation.org.uk/initiatives/bang-in-some-beans] Recipe ideas in the shownotes at: https://thefoodies.org/ffk101 [https://thefoodies.org/ffk101] Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

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105 episodes

episode Berry Tips: How to store berries to make them last longer, how to freeze them and recipe ideas to use them up. artwork

Berry Tips: How to store berries to make them last longer, how to freeze them and recipe ideas to use them up.

This episode is part of a monthly series where Joanne runs through some ideas to reduce food waste and save money by storing foods well and using them up effectively. This episode is about all kinds of summer berries so there are some ideas about how to store berries to make them last longer, and stop them going off. This includes how to store them in the kitchen, how to freeze them and how to dry them. There is also a suggestion for what to do if your berries have started to go mouldy, and how to rescue what you can. And then there are a few good ideas on how to use up excess berries before they go off - either some from the shops that are going a bit squishy or harvests coming out of the garden. The episode includes our monthly Q&A with Kate Hall from The Full Freezer on how to freeze berries and different ways to use them. Links in this episode: Inverting punnets to drain https://www.tiktok.com/@nickskitchen/video/7494069903494745375?q=storing%20berries&t=1750244714876 [https://www.tiktok.com/@nickskitchen/video/7494069903494745375?q=storing%20berries&t=1750244714876] Storing with a lemon wash https://www.tiktok.com/@parrisandhallie/video/7493077298581703958?q=storing%20berries%20uk&t=1750244906290 [https://www.tiktok.com/@parrisandhallie/video/7493077298581703958?q=storing%20berries%20uk&t=1750244906290] Vinegar water wash to reduce mould https://www.tiktok.com/@irishbudgeting/video/7515151754334424342?q=storing%20berries%20uk&t=1750244906290 [https://www.tiktok.com/@irishbudgeting/video/7515151754334424342?q=storing%20berries%20uk&t=1750244906290] Blogger who experimented with different storage methods https://coastalbend.momcollective.com/in-the-kitchen/do-strawberries-last-longer-in-glass/ [https://coastalbend.momcollective.com/in-the-kitchen/do-strawberries-last-longer-in-glass/] Kate's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on raspberries https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CFjVqdgAsUK/ [https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CFjVqdgAsUK/] Kate's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on blueberries https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CQ0XmenIxGx/ [https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CQ0XmenIxGx/] Kate's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on strawberries https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CDDsYPmA4xy/ [https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/CDDsYPmA4xy/] Kate's "Can I Freeze It?" reel on blackberries https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/Cpn2Oh7oDAK/ [https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/reel/Cpn2Oh7oDAK/] Kate's reel on eating frozen fruit as a snack https://www.instagram.com/p/CYZC9nIBBt9/ Recipe links are all in the shownotes at https://thefoodies.org/storing-berries [https://thefoodies.org/storing-berries] Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

18. juni 202614 min
episode How to store leftovers safely with Jenna Brown the Food Safety Mum. Keep family leftovers and takeaways safely, and avoid food poisoning. (Food For Kids Podcast 2026) artwork

How to store leftovers safely with Jenna Brown the Food Safety Mum. Keep family leftovers and takeaways safely, and avoid food poisoning. (Food For Kids Podcast 2026)

In today’s show, I asked Jenna Brown, who goes online everywhere under the name Food Safety Mum, about how to make sure that we handle our leftovers safely so we can waste less food but not worry about anyone getting sick, especially little ones with their less established immune systems. Jenna is an experienced Environmental Health Officer with over 14 years of experience in food safety and public health. She started the Food Safety Mum business when she became a mum herself. That understanding of how much you think differently when you have a little one to think about too, Jenna became passionate about promoting food safety in the home. She is on a mission to help parents to safely save time, money & food! Links: Jenna's website: https://www.foodsafetymum.co.uk [https://www.foodsafetymum.co.uk] Jenna's guides to baby food and party food: https://www.foodsafetymum.co.uk/shop [https://www.foodsafetymum.co.uk/shop ] Jenna's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodsafetymum [https://www.instagram.com/foodsafetymum] Guide to keeping rice safely: https://www.foodsafetymum.co.uk/handling-leftover-rice [https://www.foodsafetymum.co.uk/handling-leftover-rice] Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

15. juni 202613 min
episode Five June seasonal meal ideas, easy and family friendly, with suggested swaps for fussy family members. Food For Kids Podcast (2026) artwork

Five June seasonal meal ideas, easy and family friendly, with suggested swaps for fussy family members. Food For Kids Podcast (2026)

In this episode of the Food for Kids podcast, Joanne shares simple, family-friendly June seasonal meal ideas using seasonal produce available in June. The focus is on easy-to-make recipes that require minimal prep time, making them perfect for busy families. Joanne discusses three main meals, a dessert, and a quick snack, all utilizing fresh ingredients that are in season. She gives suggestions on adapting recipes to suit children's tastes and some swap ideas too. Links to the recipes: New Potato & Asparagus Frittata - https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/asparagus-new-potato-frittata [https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/asparagus-new-potato-frittata] Creamy Courgette & Pea Pasta - https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/creamy-courgette-sweetcorn-pasta [https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/creamy-courgette-sweetcorn-pasta] (with peas subbed for corn) Mild Chickpea & Spinach Curry - https://healthylivingjames.co.uk/10-min-chickpea-spinach-curry [https://healthylivingjames.co.uk/10-min-chickpea-spinach-curry] Strawberry & Rhubarb Crumble - https://weelicious.com/strawberry-rhubarb-crumble [https://weelicious.com/strawberry-rhubarb-crumble] Strawberries, cream cheese wraps - spread a quarter wrap with cream cheese and squash on some ripe sliced strawberries. Roll into a cone and eat! Or use a mini wrap and fold into a semi circle. For more seasonal food ideas go to: https://www.thefoodies.org/seasonal/june-food-ideas/ [https://www.thefoodies.org/seasonal/june-food-ideas/] Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

11. juni 20267 min
episode Is this fussy eating "normal" or does my child need help? With Emma Shafqat. What happens if you visit a dietitian and practical strategies for all families with a fussy eater. Food For Kids Podcast. (2026) artwork

Is this fussy eating "normal" or does my child need help? With Emma Shafqat. What happens if you visit a dietitian and practical strategies for all families with a fussy eater. Food For Kids Podcast. (2026)

In this interview with Emma Shafqat from Dietitian With A Difference, we are talking about how to know if your child’s fussiness is just a "normal" level of developmental hesitancy around new foods, or whether you should consider asking for advice from a professional. I think a lot of us worry that we’re either making a mountain out of a molehill, or on the other hand, writing off actual eating issues as “just a stage”. Emma is very helpful in this interview in flagging up what to look for and when to ask for help. She also helps us to understand where your child is coming from when they refuse a food and gives suggestions on how to make mealtimes less stressful. Emma Shafqat is a qualified paediatric dietitian and focuses primarily on fussy eating and allergy issues and has the handle @fussyeating.dietitian on social media. Since graduating with a first class honours degree in Dietetics and Nutrition, she has been working as a dietitian for over 10 years. She has worked for the NHS, in special needs schools and privately, focusing on children’s health, and is also a SOS Paediatric Feeding Therapist Emma helps children and their families overcome a broad range of dietary issues. She has a huge online following where she runs great free workshops, and has a popular fussy eaters group programme as well as one-to-one work. Emma's website - https://dietitianwithadifference.co.uk/ [https://dietitianwithadifference.co.uk/] Emma's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dietitian.withadifference/ [https://www.instagram.com/dietitian.withadifference/] Emma's programme - https://dietitianwithadifference.co.uk/creating-confident-eaters-programme/ [https://dietitianwithadifference.co.uk/creating-confident-eaters-programme/] Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

8. juni 202613 min
episode How to freeze ingredients if batch cooking isn't your thing, with Kate Hall. Freeze unused or leftover ingredients for easy meal prep, save money and food waste. Food For Kids Podcast (2026) artwork

How to freeze ingredients if batch cooking isn't your thing, with Kate Hall. Freeze unused or leftover ingredients for easy meal prep, save money and food waste. Food For Kids Podcast (2026)

In this interview with Kate Hall of The Full Freezer, we explore how to use your freezer to store individual ingredients rather than whole batch cooked meals to make family life easier. Kate was a batch cooker before she had her second child, but found herself buying food to cook for the freezer and then failing to find time and wasting food while also buying convenience foods to make up the difference. Kate's solution was to find ways to freeze ingredients that might be about to go to waste, as well as leftover bits and pieces, to provide building blocks for meals later down the line. Kate teaches her system "The Full Freezer Method" through books and online challenges and has now been interviewed many times in national media, although this was one of her earliest interviews back when I first prepared to launch the podcast. This interview goes over the principles of her method and is a great listen if you are often beating yourself up for letting good ingredients - and good intentions - go to waste. Learn how to hit a "pause button" on a half tin of tomatoes or a few spoons of pesto and stop feeling guilty about wasting food. Kate's website - https://www.thefullfreezer.com/ [https://www.thefullfreezer.com/] Kate's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thefullfreezer [https://www.instagram.com/thefullfreezer] Kate's Can I Freeze It? page for individual ingredients [https://www.instagram.com/canifreezeit/] Kate's children's books: https://www.thefullfreezer.com/the-books [https://www.thefullfreezer.com/the-books] Music "Happy Days" by Simon Folwar via Uppbeat

4. juni 202617 min