AYSHA CHUNAWALA suggests devious ways to incorporate nutrition into your kids’ fave treats.
Today, unfortunately, the main criteria of choice in food are tasty, fast, satisfying and cheap. We inculcate the same habit in our kids. The childhood impulse to imitate is strong so don’t ask your child to eat vegetables while you devour street food. It’s important to remember that your kids aren’t born with a craving for cheap-chips and Maggi and hatred towards spinach and carrots. This conditioning happens over time, as kids are exposed to more and more unhealthy food choices.
Kids are known to be fussy eaters; making them eat healthy is easier said than done. The eating patterns of older kids and teenagers are mostly influenced by peer-pressure and TV commercials. Healthy eating habits are more likely to stay with you if you learn them as a child. So, the challenge is to make healthy choices appealing. No matter how good your intentions are, it is always going to be difficult to convince your child that fruits are as delicious as a strawberry cheesecake.
We have a solution: How about disguising healthy meals under the garb of kids’ favourite food? Without making healthy food dull, give junk food a makeover with staples like multi-grain, wheat and ragi accompanied by the goodness of vegetables and fruits…
Stuffed idli
Make this with equal portions of rice and millet along with urad dal to prepare the batter. Sneakily hide chopped veggies in them which will enhance the overall nutrition value of the food.
Smoothie bowl
1.What’s in a name, you say! A bowl full of flavours. Capture your kids’ attention by just making them a bowl of happiness comprising of apple, spinach, kiwi, banana, dates, flax and almond chips.
Yogurt delight
“Yogurt is a popular dairy product made by the bacterial fermentation of milk. The health benefits of yogurt are so impressive that many health conscious people make it a daily habit. People love yogurt for its rich and creamy indulgence,” explains nutritionist Sofia Ansari. Amalgamate the goodness of yogurt with the perfect amount of freshness from apple, warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and dates. Topped it with our favourite cocoa nibs.
Egg custard
The trick to healthy eating for kids is making sure it doesn’t look healthy. This custard has wholesome fats in the yolk which provides excellent nourishment at such a fast growing and hormonally charged time of life.
Nachos galore
Whole-wheat nachos could be your child’s next devouring treat. It is healthy, crisp and, most importantly, you have a variety of options to play around with for toppings including tomatoes, lettuce leaves, spring onions and cottage cheese.
Chocolate treats
No meal is complete without a dessert and no dessert experience is complete without chocolate.“I have an 8-year-old son and he loves chocolates. I’m always on the lookout for the best and most delicious chocolates. It is a myth that chocolate contains a high amount of sugar. If you choose the right brand which has adequate quantity of sugar and is not heavily processed, you are on the safer side,” says celebrity chef Sarah Todd.
Cheese balls
Draw a smile on their faces with this easy to prepare, melt in the mouth affair. Mashed potatoes, boiled corn and cheddar cheese is all you need to make this super delicious yet healthy snack.
Firni fave
A traditional Indian dessert of rice cooked in sweetened milk, here you can exercise your creativity when it comes to the garnishing. Not only does it taste delicious but it packs a serious nutritional punch.
Baked pineapple
“Children thrive on routine. Give them a daily dose of dietary fibre from fruits, as part of an overall healthy diet,” recommends housewife Shaista Qadri. Make fruits attractive for them by cutting them in various shapes and sizes. Enhance the flavour of fruit such as pineapple by adding a sprinkle of red chilly powder, honey, and salt and then grill it in butter.