5 Reasons You Shouldn't Feed Your Kids Prepared Chicken Fingers

The homemade version of your kids' favorite food is so easy to make. Just cut chicken up into small strips, dredge the strips in flour, and then in dip them in egg wash (egg that's been whisked with a bit of water). Once the strips are coated in egg, cover them in bread crumbs and pan-fry or bake them.

(Credit: Flickr/Kristin)

You can make fish sticks using the same method. Fish is full of heart-healthy omega-3s that kids need to be healthy.

(Credit: Flickr/Mr. TinDC)

Homemade chicken fingers have the potential to be so much healthier. You can buy hormone-free chicken, use whole-wheat bread crumbs, and control the amount of salt, preservatives, and additives that are in your kids' food.

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Making foods from scratch provides you with an excellent opportunity to teach your kids about cooking, health, and nutrition. Plus, research shows that kids who help out in the kitchen tend to make healthier food choices.

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Making your own chicken fingers is cheaper, too. When chicken breast goes on sale, stock up and then cut it into pieces yourself (you can wrap and freeze extras); you'll spend less money on than you would buying prepared chicken fingers.

(Credit: Flickr/U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Kristie Collado is The Daily Meal's Cook Editor. Follow her on Twitter @KColladoCook.