I'm a doctor and there's a go-to dinner I swear by for my family-of-four that helps the 'body and the brain'

Australian GP Dr Preeya Alexander has shared her go-to weeknight meal that's easy, nutritious, and loved by kids - including the fussiest of eaters. In a recent post, the Melbourne-based doctor and mum showcased how she prepares Vietnamese-style meatballs packed with hidden veggies, and parents are taking notes. Dr Alexander, known for her practical approach to nutrition, says her philosophy is all about 'rainbows on the plate' - whether fresh, frozen, or canned.

'Every rainbow counts for the body and the brain,' she explained. In a video detailing her weekly meal prep, Dr Alexander revealed a kitchen bustling with activity - Mexican beans simmering on the stove, carrot and cheese melts being prepped for lunchboxes, and a tray of freshly cooked pork cooling on the bench. But it was her Vietnamese meatballs that stole the show. 'These are great for the kids because they love them,' she said.

'And it's perfect for fussy eaters - giving them some autonomy handling the rainbows, exposing themselves to it, even just having it on the table.'. Australian GP Dr Preeya Alexander has shared her go-to weeknight meal that's easy, nutritious, and loved by kids. The Melbourne-based doctor and mum showcased how she prepares Vietnamese-style meatballs packed with hidden veggies. Dr Alexander encourages parents to get creative and use whatever vegetables they have on hand, saying every batch looks different.

'I'm just using what I've got - but it's all rainbows,' she added. The doctor also emphasises that simply exposing kids to a variety of colours and textures - even if they don't eat them straight away - can help build familiarity and eventually lead to acceptance. 'Giving kids some autonomy with food can be helpful. Just having rainbows around - on the table, on the plate - it all counts as food exposure,' she explained.

Parents online have praised Dr Alexander's approach, calling it 'realistic' and 'approachable' for busy families. One mum commented: 'This is such a great way to sneak in veggies! My kids would actually eat these.'. Another added: 'Love the idea of just using whatever's on hand. Makes meal prep so much easier!'. Dr Alexander encourages parents to get creative and use whatever vegetables they have on hand, saying every batch looks different.

Ingredients:. 500g pork mince (or substitute with chicken or beef). 2-3 tbsp fish sauce. 2-3 tbsp soy sauce. Frozen spinach blocks (or fresh, finely chopped). 2 grated carrot. 1 chopped zucchini. 1 can of chickpeas, lightly mashed. 1 tsp ginger, minced. 1 tsp garlic powder. 1 cabbage head, chopped. 2 tomatoes, chopped. Method:. In a large bowl, combine the pork mince, fish sauce, soy sauce, grated carrot, zucchini, chickpeas, and frozen spinach.

Mix well using a paddle or your hands until the ingredients are fully incorporated. Roll the mixture into small balls and set aside. Heat a barbecue or pan over medium heat and fry the meatballs until golden brown and cooked through. Serve with rice noodles, fresh cucumber, lettuce, and a dollop of sour cream for a delicious, well-balanced meal. The doctor previously shared another delicious meal she makes for her family in under 30 minutes after a long shift.

She said her tuna sushi bake is the perfect dish - and it's easy to cook when you're in a rush. 'Canned tuna is the best - it's easy, it's always in the pantry, and it's cost-effective,' she said in a video. 'I'm whipping this up mid-week while I'm on the run with hangry kids and I don't have much time.'. Ingredients required for the dish are sushi rice, mirin, sesame oil, canned tuna, celery, red onion, Kewpie mayonnaise, nori sheets, avocados, furikake seasoning, cucumbers, and baby corn.

To make the dish, you first have to preheat your oven to 180C. Cook your sushi rice and then add the mirin and sesame oil to it. While your rice is cooking, combine the tuna, celery, onion, and mayonnaise in a bowl and mash it together with a fork. Dr Preeya Alexander, from Victoria, said her tuna sushi bake is the perfect dish that's easy to cook when you're in a rush. Ingredients required for the dish are sushi rice, mirin, sesame oil, canned tuna, celery, red onion, Kewpie mayonnaise, nori sheets, avocados, furikake seasoning, cucumbers.

Grab an oven tray and spoon your rice onto it before layering your tuna mix on top. Pop it into the oven for 12-15 minutes or until you're satisfied with the temperature. To serve, simply spoon some of the bake into a nori sheet and pair it with some chopped cucumber. 'The beauty of this dish is that you can throw in anything - peas, carrots, cucumber,' Dr Alexander said. 'Any rainbow counts for the body.'.

The phrase 'eating a rainbow' refers to combining fruits and vegetables of different colours in a meal to maximise nutrient intake. 'You can also sprinkle more things on there like roasted black sesame seeds,' she said. Many thanked Dr Alexander for her excellent recipe. 'This is such a great idea, my three-year-old is going to love it,' a mum said. 'My kids demolish this every time I make it,' another added.