10 food items MUST have a healthy food guide for kids.
By Nmami Agarwal 27-Jan 2021 Reading Time: 6 Mins
Being a parent comes along with so many responsibilities, and looking after your child’s health plays a major role in your life. It is quite challenging when it comes to feeding your little ones as they don’t always eat what you want them to eat. Nevertheless, it becomes more stressful figuring out what exactly will help nourish their tiny bodies. A kid’s body needs all kinds of nutrition just like how we adults need it. Their body needs food-healthy fats for their brain, all sorts of minerals and vitamins that are achieved by many vegetables, fruits and so forth, they also need calcium for their bones to get stronger.
To release some of your stress and ensure that you are providing the healthiest foods to your kids, we have compiled some of the top healthy food items that you must incorporate in your kids meal to create a healthier lifestyle for them. Here have a look!
- Flax seeds
- Tofu
- Sweet Potato
- Yoghurt
- Eggs
- Berries
- Milk
- Ragi
- Oats
- Legumes
These seeds are filled with omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for the brain development. You may have these seeds in ground or whole form. Many researches have suggested that the ground form of flaxseed is easier for the body to absorb. You can sprinkle the powdered flax seed onto your batter of desserts or cereals. You may also replace the 1/4th of the flour with this ground flaxseeds during the preparation of bread, muffins, and pancakes according to your choice to add a healthy boost to your baked goods.
Tofu provides a great source of essential nutrients that every kid requires for their optimum development and bone health. It is filled with protein, B vitamins, calcium and iron. But kids simply don’t like the taste of tofu when served whole in certain cuisines. But they do love it when served with something more creamier like ice creams or smoothies. So, try that!!
Sweet potatoes are natural sweeteners and are said to be one of the most favourite healthy foods for babies. Try to include this nutritious vegetable in a way that your kid never gets bored of this food. You can bake the sweet potatoes and serve it with cinnamon-sugar or vanilla-yoghurt. You can also coat it with maple syrup or applesauce.
Yoghurt contains plenty of good bacteria, also known as probiotics. It provides more calcium as compared to milk and helps keep the little stomachs healthy as well as happy. Low-fat yoghurt is said to be the best as they contain no added sugar and you can scoop them up with some fresh fruits or simply add a spoonful of honey.
Eggs contain rich sources of DHA and protein, which helps in the growth of the child’s brain.
Berries contain high amounts of antioxidants and vitamins, which tends to be very beneficial to the child for his overall health.
Your child requires a rich dose of calcium which benefits his strong bones and teeth. Besides, D Vitamin, contained in milk, helps in absorbing the calcium.
Ragi is filled with calcium and is very beneficial for a developing child. You can substitute it with your chocolate cookies as it turns brown on being roasted, thus bringing a bright smile on the kid’s face.
Oats are rich in antioxidants and fibre and benefit your kid with a steady stream of energy everyday. Moreover, it is simple to digest and enhances the immune system of your kid.
Legumes are one of the perfect sources of protein and are packed with fibre. They help aid digestion. These include black-eyed peas, beans, and chickpeas.
Over to You
Feeding your kids adequately with proper nutrition helps them grow and develop their body. This requires regular intake of food enriched with minerals, vitamins, and other vital nutrients. Avoid feeding them with processed, and packaged snacks or foods as these contain excess amounts of sugar, which may weaken their immune system. As parent, you all need to introduce your kids with healthy food ingredients in a way that they love and get habituated with the healthy foods.