|
Pleasing children is anything but easy! Any parent can attest to that. Children seem to
prefer everything that is not good for them. Food affects the way children grow, so it is
important to give them
 a
balanced diet. This does not mean every meal has to be balanced, just that over each day the
foods should add up to be balanced. If fruits and vegetables are missing from lunch, try to
make up for it in the afternoon with a light snack of vegetables or fruit pieces.
Young
children should not be put on a diet, unless you have been advised to do so by a physician
or a Child specialist. All the food groups are essential for growth and development. A
childhood spent eating junk food is not healthy and will contain far too much fat. Home
cooked food will be far more nutritious and healthy.
When introducing new food, don't be
disheartened if your child do not take to it readily. Try again a few days later.
Remember that with children, things that are hated one day, can be firm favorites by the
following week. Sweet food should never be used as rewards of bribes, as this gives them
added value in your child's mind.
Children tend to know how much to eat. They
eat when they are hungry and until they are full, without
having to be forced. Children appetites also fluctuate, depending on whether they gong
through a period of slow or rapid growth. Overweight children tend to be that way,
because they are offered too much food. Give small servings and allow for second
helpings, so no one is daunted by the food.
Snacks must be instant and
accessible, as well as healthy, otherwise it is easier to open a packet of crisps or
biscuits. Try to make fruits always available. Some ideas are nuts, carrots, dried
fruits, cucumber sticks, yogurt, fresh fruit jellies, etc.
Drinks can be high in sugar. Water,
fresh juices, fruit milkshakes, whips and cordials are much better than carbonated soft
drinks. Add soda water to fruit juices for a healthier fizzy drink and freeze ice-cube
trays of orange and lemon juice to add to drinks.
Meat and poultry are often served up to children as fillets and pieces rather then meat
on a bone. Children more often like cutlets and chops, chicken drumsticks and wings.
Ready-cooked barbeque chickens are useful for sandwiches, tortillas, enchiladas, paste
dishes and home-made pizzas. Kebabs are fun, but take them off the skewers before giving to
very young children.
 Fish
is often seen as tricky to cook, but this need not be the case. Choose very fresh firm-flesh
white fish that does not have bones, cod for example. The ever popular fish-and-chip does
not have to be a greasy affair - fish fillets can be dipped in flour then lightly
fried and served with baked potato wedges, tomato ketchup or tartare sauce. Children often
enjoy seafood, especially shrimps and calamari rings.
Carbohydrates should form the biggest part of most meals. Potatoes are and excellent
source of carbohydrates and can be cooked in many different ways. A seemingly plain boiled
potato can be transformed into a delicious mash in a matter of seconds and may well be more
acceptable in this form. A good repertoire of mash recipes can be useful - mix with green
veggies for bubble and squeak, with potato and pumpkin for a change of color, or serve with
lots of gravy.
Vegetables are often the most hated foodstuff of children and the hardest to make sure
they eat. If they prefer vegetables raw, then do not try to cook them. It can be easier to
persuade children to eat carrot sticks while watching TV than to eat cooked vegetables with
their dinner.
Dairy products are very important for children's calcium intake, as well as providing a
good source of protein. Children's calcium requirements are high and is recommended that a
daily intake of at least three serves of high calcium food ( milk or cheese ) be undertaken.
If using soy milk, make sure it has added calcium.
Pulses and grains can be a great way of getting protein into your child's diet if he of
she is not a great meat-eater. They are also a good source of fiber.
Last,
but certainly not least, a healthy child needs plenty of exercise. About twenty to thirty
minutes,
three or four times a week is recommended, but the more the better. Exercise is more
enjoyable as a family affair, and that way everyone will benefit.
|
Asian Melting Pot
Subscribe to our FREE e-newsletter below
|
|
|
|
published by asianrecipesonline.com
|
| VISIT OUR
WEBLOG