Mary Saph Tanaka

Kale is both in season and in fashion. From juices to chips, this leafy green seems to be everywhere. Loaded with nutrients, such as calcium and vitamins K, A and C to name a few, it’s no wonder this winter vegetable has risen in popularity. Here are two great recipes for introducing your kids to this flavorful and nutritious powerhouse: Kale Chips and Crispy Chicken and Kale Taquitos With Avocado Yogurt Dip.

The markets are loaded with a variety of winter squashes this time of year, and butternut squash is one of the most versatile and tasty of the bunch. Here are two great recipes featuring this vitamin-packed gourd—Turkey Butternut Squash Meatballs and Spiced Butternut Squash Muffins—that are sure to please the entire family.

It’s that wonderful time of year when apples are at their most delicious. Whether you prefer them tart or sweet, apples are a perfect snack for young and old alike. Apples also make great additions to some of your favorite dishes. Here are two great recipes that, served together, make a hearty and flavorful meal: apple cabbage coleslaw and sweet potato pork tenderloin sliders.

There’s just something about this time of year that has us craving pumpkin-flavored foods—and with loads of vitamin A and beta-carotene, pumpkin can be a healthy addition to your diet. Here are two great kid-friendly recipes—Creamy Pumpkin Soup and Pumpkin Mac and Cheese—that are sure to cure those pumpkin cravings and get you into the spirit of this wonderful season.

Do you really know what’s in those chicken nuggets your kids love so much? Based on the findings of a recent study, you probably don’t want to know. Instead, try making this tasty and healthier version of chicken nuggets, which you and your kids are sure to love.

Is there anything better than the delicious fruits of summer? At this time of year, the markets are full of delicious produce that can be eaten whole or mixed into recipes. Here are three great quick and simple treats your kids are sure to love.

It can be a struggle to get your kids to eat healthier, but snacks can be a great way to encourage them to eat more veggies throughout the day. Try these easy recipes for crispy edamame and a tasty bean dip that will have your kids gobbling up their veggies and asking for more.

Wondering what you’re going to feed your kids for lunch now that school is out for the summer? Try this delicious—and healthy—version of Sloppy Joes. With plenty of colorful chopped veggies, plus lean beef and turkey, this recipe is sure to please even your pickiest eaters.

It can be a huge challenge to prepare healthy meals with a newborn baby in the house, but there are ways to make it easier. With just a little preparation, you can make simple and nutritious dishes using ingredients you probably already have on hand. These recipes are super simple to make in a pinch and, as a bonus, you don’t have to constantly hover over the stove while you make them.

Are you struggling to get your picky eater to try new foods? It might be time to employ some “marketing” tricks to make healthy foods more appealing to your kids. Here are some fun ideas that use just a few ingredients to create quick and simple snacks your kids are sure to enjoy.

Need some helping teaching your child about appropriate portion sizes? While young children use internal cues to know when to stop eating, they often lose this ability as they grow older. Here are five great tips for helping your children eat healthy and appropriately sized portions of food.

When the nesting urge kicks in, many pregnant women find themselves washing walls and clearing out closets. Dr. Tanaka urges women to channel that energy into getting the kitchen stocked with healthy ingredients for easy-to-prepare meals. Here are her tips for creating fast and delicious meals for the whole family, both before and after the baby comes.

Do you find yourself struggling to get your kids to eat a healthy breakfast? Try these quick, easy and nutritious breakfast ideas and your kids will be excited to eat this often-neglected morning meal. And, as a bonus, they’ll likely be more alert and perform better at school!

Looking for advice on how to eat for one when you’re feeding for two? Check out this personal account (and advice) from Dr. Mary Saph Tanaka, a pediatrician, nutrition and cooking expert, and a first-time expectant mom.

Are your kids getting tired of eating the same old sandwiches every day at lunch? Here are some great ideas for changing up your kids’ lunches to make them more fun, tasty and healthy.

Curious about how you can use the USDA’s MyPlate to help teach your children about healthy eating? Try using these five great ideas to help bring MyPlate to life for your child and help them develop a lifelong love of healthy foods.

Try these three simple tips for making cooking with your child both enjoyable and a valuable introduction to planning and preparing healthy meals.

For many of us, the holiday season means sharing our traditions of food that have been passed down many generations. Here are some easy ways to put a healthier twist on these time-honored traditions of baking for the holidays, so you can indulge without feeling like you’ve gone overboard.

This summer’s heat wave has practically everyone craving cooler weather from coast to coast. Get some relief from the high temperatures with healthy and delicious treats courtesy of Mary Saph Tanaka, MD, MS, a pediatrics resident at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. You’ll get a dose of cool using the season’s ripest fruits and vegetables!