Nutrition for children

                         
     Children are always on the move. they are usually hyperactive and extremely busy discovering new things all the time. It is parents duty to see to it that the children eat well, on time and most importantly, healthy food. Healthy food makes the child's body and mind healthier, so they have more energy to learning and playing.


     It is very important for the parents to plan a well balanced diet for the child which includes right amount of nutrients. The child needs to be give fresh fruits, raw vegetables and milk along with the regular food. We all know how difficult it is to get a child to the dining table and have the everything that is served.


      Here are a few tips to make the child eat well without the parents running behind them with the food in hand:

• Children always love colours, textures, shapes and taste. Try to make the food look attractive, colourful and in different shapes. For example if you are making rotis, parathas and chapatis, cut them in different shapes with the help of a cookie cutter. You can also make them colourful by stuffing the parathas with different vegetables. Or you can also make some design on the rotis with sauce or cheese.
• Serve them raw vegetables cut in different shapes, along with some nice homemade dips made of cheese or cream.
• Boiled vegetables with different colours and textures mixed with dried herbs gives a different aroma and attracts the child. You can add a few drops of lemon juice to the vegetables while boiling. It retains the fresh and natural colour of the vegetables.
• Milk should be given at least twice a day. But not every child likes to drink milk. You can serve the milk with homemade almond mix, which gives a good flavour and taste to the milk. It also adds up to the child's nutritional intake. Take couple of almonds, some sugar, and a little bit of kesar or saffron churned in a blender to a fine powder. This mix can be stored in an airtight container for a couple of days.
• Whenever a child asks for noodles or soups, add some fresh vegetables to the canned or dried foods.
• Make attractive pulavs\or rice items with lots of vegetables.
• Prepare fruit salads with custard and keep it in the fridge. This comes handy when the child asks for something to eat.
• Whenever the child asks for between the meal snacks, heat some butter and frozen corn and add a bit of salt and chat masala. Children will love this.
• Indulge your child in cooking and shopping for the vegetables. Buy the vegetables that they prefer and they will love to eat them.

• Prepare fresh soups at home which proves to be healthier than ready or dried soups.
• Avoid giving them junk food, colas, sweetened juices and street food. Instead try preparing them at home. With a little efforts, creativity and time, even home made food can also turn out to be tasty and appealing to the children
• Above all make sure your child drinks lots water. This helps the digestive system in good condition and keeps the body cool and hydrated.

Try these out and I am sure your child will eat well and comes back for a second helping.


-Deepa