Simple ways to Improve your kids eating habit

A good childhood has to be a well-guided one, not necessarily killing the fun but channelling the energy in the right direction. And since, "you are what you eat", we should spend some dedicated time on kids' food. Yes, it should be rich in nutrients and all the vital minerals they need to grow up, more important it should be fun too. A bland plate is unlikely to attract a child just as a colourful meal deficient in nutrition is unlikely to do him any good.

Stick to the basics


Rather than going in for fancy experimentation, we should stick to the basics when it comes to kids' food. It should contain the right quantity of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins. And if it is topped with a lot of kid fun, then bingo, you have the best formula in town!

One way of doing it is to just get creative, in moderation though. Experiment with ingredients and create something that will be fun to eat and also take care of your child's daily dietary requirement. Learn to involve your child in the preparation of a meal.

Some improvisation


Can't experiment much? Go ahead, steal ideas! If your kid loves junk food, then try to change that food into healthy fun food. All you have to do is change the ingredients and the cooking method.

Change the deep fat fried vegetable patty in the burger to a grilled vegetable and tofu patty. Add a lot more of salad to it and you have a nutritious burger.

Put scoops of papaya in a fancy glass with some badam thandai and you are ready to attract the kids. Ice cream can take a beating here.

Just dip banana in chocolate and let it cool, kids will run after you.

Just make your own pizza base from soya paratha and top it with the season's fresh vegetables and low fat cheese, and you have everything ready.

Still not enough? Then just try filling golgappas with tangy bean sprouts minus the spicy water.

Then? Watch for the results. No more running after the kids to feed them, they will run after you for food.

Now an idea kids may not have heard about: Chicken ki jalebi. This is one fun food idea in which you can involve your kid too, with precautions, of course.

Chicken Jalebi


Ingredients
Lean chicken finely minced: 200 gm
Powdered soya flakes: 50 gm
Garlic paste: 1 tbsp
Ginger paste: 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Green chilli paste: half tsp
Fresh cream: 2 tbsp
Egg white: 1
Garam masala powder: 1tsp
Mint and coriander paste: 1 tbsp

Oil: 2 tbsp

Method: Just tell your kid to mix everything together nicely. Heat the tawa to medium intensity and grease it with some oil. Take a clean kitchen cloth and make a small hole, of pencil thickness, in the middle, just like the jalebi cloth.

Put a portion of the chicken mix in it and hold it firmly on the hot tawa.

Squeeze and make jalebis on the tawa in round motion with your or the child's hand. When done on one side, turn over to the other side, till it is all golden brown.

Remove and serve with a sauce of your choice.

Click here for more chicken Recipes.



Source: The Hindu