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Importance of Healthy Eating in Children
Most families include parents who both work, and the parents have very little time for cooking. It makes the children more dependant on the unhealthy fast food that can have various adverse effects on their body. On the other hand, a healthy diet helps to improve their mind and maintain healthy weight. It prevents depression and stabilises their energy.
Parents must be responsible enough to instil the habit of a healthy diet in their kids. The early habits that a kid has influence in their future life,too. Imbibing healthy eating in kids will help them ward off dangerous diseases. Parents must ensure that children have a craving for healthy food only. So, why not make them learn to cook. It makes kids aware of the nutritional properties that various foods have. On the other hand, they also gain an essential skill that will be useful for them in future.
Teaching Cooking to Kids
Kids usually spend their holidays with their relatives. More often they would be at a picnic or relaxing at a wonder park. They are rarely involved in anything creative, especially activities that could be helpful in their future. Cooking is such an activity, through which the kids can learn about various types of nutritious foods and this will also help them in future. Let us have a quick look at the benefits of teaching kids how to cook.
Adding Fruits and Vegetables in Their Diet
Kids need to recognise the different types of fruits and vegetables as a part of their food intake. It is often challenging to teach these things when needed. Parents who teach their children how to cook often remark that their kids find it easy to identify different fruits and vegetables very quickly. In the process of teaching them how to cook, they need to be taken to grocery shopping with you. It also helps them know the various ingredients that go into making various dishes. Thus they tend to remember the ingredients better. In all this process, kids also improve their knowledge about the taste of different food items.
Increased Sense of Responsibility
Kids need to be made responsible for their actions. Parents need to make their kids take up responsibility by introducing them to various activities. It could start with tidying the bed or helping in gardening. Cooking comes way down in this list. Gradually, parents can make the kids make their breakfasts or some quick snacks. It will make the kids take responsibility which will help them in the long run. Learning a new recipe will be fun and can instil pride when serving it to their parents and the rest of the family.
Need for Balanced Nutrition
Children always have access to junk food very easily. They do not understand the amount of effort that goes to make a nutritious dish. But it is something that they need to know. They also need to know about the hard work and the resources required to make a dish. When parents cook, they should also teach children about the amount of nutrition that is present in the recipes that are being prepared. They need to be informed about the benefits of having a balanced diet and making food using fresh ingredients.
Important Survival Skill
Kids may be separated from their parents in order to continue with their higher studies. There they will have to be on their own and need to undertake various activities on their own. Sometimes, they have to cook also as the nearest eating joint may be far off. Having culinary skills can be of help at any time, and they may even impress their friends and family with their skills.
Helps to Fight Obesity
Studies have shown that exposing children to culinary skills prevents them from consuming junk food. Once they understand the amount of nutritional content present in healthy eating, they reduce the intake of junk food. While preparing food, the kids also get to know about calorie information and understand the healthier ways to make food. while cooking they will understand that the same ingredients such as pasta, potatoes and chocolates can be used to cook healthier food as well. Cooking also makes them more creative and let them cook newer dishes with better taste.
Managing Health
When children learn to cook, they get to know about the impact of various types of fruits and vegetables on the health of the body. They also know the benefits and effects of the various foods they are making. This way, they are in a position to manage their own health. At an early age, they can understand the need to stay and have healthy food. These kids also get into exercising a lot, which will also keep them healthy. At a young age they get acquainted with their body and its functions.
Quality Family Time
Children also need time from their parents. But most of us are busy throughout the week; the children are left without any companion. The only time left is the weekends. If you teach the kids how to cook, they will be able to spend time with their parents and also learn an essential skill at the same time. The children can relax and have discussions with their parents so that this time spent in the kitchen acts as a bonding time. The kids can also relax and learn at the same time.
Boosts Confidence
Once they have learnt a recipe, they can be allowed to make it on their own. The feeling of having visited the grocery for the ingredients and selecting the best ones and then to have cooked it all by themselves will provide them with a sense of confidence. Moreover, if they make a dish, they are more likely to consume more of it. Some of them may even finish all of it. Gradually, the kids will develop a penchant for cooking, and it will also boost their health along with improving their confidence levels.
Few Quick Snacks That Kids Can Make
Once the kids take the first few steps into the kitchen, they will start with handling the fruits and the vegetables. Gradually, they will try to learn all about cooking and then try to make something for themselves. You may try from these easy-to-make recipes with them.
Chocolate Chips and Banana Sandwich
You will be surprised at how amazing this combination can turn out to be. Your kids will love it not just for its taste but also for how easy it is to make.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- Peanut Butter – Half cup
- Chocolate chips – Two tablespoons. You can also use some portion of a chocolate bar. Break it down into small pieces .
- Whole wheat bread – Four slices
- Banana – One, thinly sliced
- Honey – Two spoons
- Cinnamon – One-fourth spoon, grounded
Directions to make:
- First, you will need to mix the peanut butter, honey and the cinnamon.
- Then spread it over the bread.
- Put some banana slices over it.
- Place another bread on top.
- Similarly, prepare another sandwich with the remaining two pieces of bread.
Peanut Butter Balls
Another peanut butter recipe that is nutritious and does not take much time to make.
Preparation Time: 10 mins .
Ingredients:
- Peanut butter – Half cup
- Milk Powder (Non-fat) – Half cup, dry
- Oats – Half cup
- Cracker crumbs – Two large spoons
- Vanilla extract – Half spoon
- Nuts for garnishing
Directions to make:
- Combine the peanut butter along with the vanilla extract and honey.
- Next, add the Oats, milk powder and the cracker crumbs and stir.
- Make the mix into small balls.
- Garnish with roasted nuts and cashew nuts.
- Refrigerate as necessary.
Banana Sushi
Quite an exciting dish that will enthral the taste buds of the kids even after they finish. Quite nourishing too!
Preparation Time: 10 minutes.
Ingredients:
- Banana – One, peeled
- Chocolate chips – Two large spoons
- Grapes or blackberries – One-fourth cup
- Peanut butter – Two large spoons
- Crackers crumbs – Two spoons
Directions to make:
- Place the banana on a place after peeling. Slice it into small pieces like a “sushi”. You may have the banana frozen too.
- Put the peanut butter over it.
- Sprinkle the grapes, crackers crumbs and the chocolate chips over it. The dish is ready.
Doughnut Apples
Apples are nutritious, but kids generally do not like to have them. It won't be so after making this one!
Preparation time: Twenty-five minutesIngredients:
- Cream cheese – 300 grams, softened
- Chocolate (melted) – Half cup
- Honey – Two teaspoons
- Apples – Three
- Edible sprinkles
Directions to make:
- Divide the softened cream into two bowls.
- In one bowl, add the honey and mix well to combine.
- In the other bowl, add the melted chocolate and mix well to combine.
- Slice the apples in circles and cut out the central portion with a knife or a cookie cutter.
- Spread the mixture from the two bowls on the apple slices.
- Top the apples with the sprinkles.
Popcorn Like A Birthday Cake
Missing a birthday cake? Well it may not be one but sure does look like one.
Preparation time: Forty-five minutes
Ingredients:
- Butter popcorn – One Packet
- Vegetable oil – Two large spoons
- Vanilla cake mix – Three large spoons
- White chocolate chips – One cup (You can also use some portion of a chocolate bar. Break it down into small pieces.
- Edible sprinkles – One-fourth cup
Directions to make:
- Make the popcorn as per instructions.
- Mix the chocolate chips and vegetable oil and heat till it is fully melted.
- Add the cake mix and stir till a beautiful blend.
- Take the mix into a bowl and add the popcorn and mix well till the popcorn is coated.
- Spread the coated popcorn on a baking sheet and spread the sprinkles evenly on top.
- Refrigerate for 20-25 minutes.
Fruit & Nut Yogurt
If you wish to combine all the best things together and also to make it super yummy, then here is a recipe that kids will love
Preparation time: Ten minutes
Ingredients:
- Nuts – Three large spoons, broken and roasted
- Pumpkin seeds – One large spoon
- Banana – One, sliced
- Berries – Few, as needed
- Vanilla yoghurt – 200 grams
Directions to make:
- Roast the nuts till crisp.
- Mix the nuts and the pumpkin seeds.
- Mix the sliced bananas with the berries.
- Pour the yoghurt in a bowl and add layers of bananas and berries.
- Add the nuts and pumpkin seeds on top.
Coconut And Date Balls
Coconut and dates – both are too nutritious. Both are also very unpopular with the kids to eat. But they will be too excited to make and eat this one.
Preparation time: Ten minutes Ingredients:
- Coconut – Three cups, shrunken
- Dates – Two cups, without the seeds
- Nuts – Three large spoons, broken and roasted
Directions to make:
- Ensure the coconut is shrunken.
- Put the shrunken coconut and dates into a blender.
- Turn on the motor and process for 4-5 minutes and ensure a smooth blend.
- Remove the mix from the blender and roll into small balls.
- Add the nuts to each of the balls.
- Refrigerate if necessary.
Banana & Mango Smoothie
Need to freshen up quickly in the summer? Nothing better than a smoothie.
Preparation time: Five minutes Ingredients:
- Mango – One
- Banana – One
- Orange – Half a litre
- Yoghurt – if needed
Directions to make:
- Peel the mango and cut to small pieces.
- Peel the banana and chop into small pieces too.
- Put all the ingredients into a blender and turn on the motor. Ensure a smooth blend and stop the motor.
- Pour the ingredients in a bottle and refrigerate for some time. Alternatively, pour few ice cubes and serve.
Mini Muffins
Does your kid love muffins? Why not teach them how to make one? It fits into their lunch boxes too.
Preparation time: Twenty minutes Ingredients:
- Flour – One cup
- Cream – One cup, thickened
- Sugar – Three spoons
Directions to make:
- Preheat the oven to 180 oC and spray a mini muffin tin with cooking oil.
- Mix the flour and sugar in a bowl thoroughly.
- Add the cream slowly into the flour mix, ensuring the ingredients are wet and lumpy.
- Pour some portions into the muffin cups and bake for up to 15 minutes.
- Keep it to cool for some time.
Frozen Banana Cereal Pops
A nutritious delight that your kids will eat all after preparing.
Preparation time: Fifteen minutes Ingredients:
- Yoghurt – One cup. You may choose flavoured yoghurt too. Alternatively, add edible flavours to the regular yoghurt.
- Fruity cereals – One cup
- Bananas – 4, peeled and cut in half
Directions to make:
- Peel the bananas and cut through the middle.
- Insert wooden pop sticks into the cut side of the bananas.
- Dip the bananas first into the yoghurt and then into the bowl of cereals for a coating.
- Move them to baking sheets and freeze for an hour.
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What to Stock In Your Pantry!
Showing your kids to cook can be a good plan, but it can backfire on you very badly! Your kids, if they learn to cook, can also start consuming unhealthy and sugar rich items. Things such as chocolate spreads, brownies, oily fries and jams and jelly sandwiches are equally easy to make, but really damaging for the health of a kid. So, be wise and stock up on only fresh items like fruits, vegetables, whole wheat breads and pasta and nuts etc. Once your child starts cooking unsupervised, he will only find healthy food to choose from, and you can retain your piece of mind!