how to improve your child's nutrition - part 1

Good nutrition is a vital part of children’s growth, right from the time they are born. Nutritive rich food develops their motor skills and helps them reach their development milestones, which is necessary to lead a healthy and fulfilling life. Healthy nutritious food strengthens children’s immunity against diseases, especially when they are constantly exposed to outside elements while playing with other children in the school, playground, park or the beach etc.

Proper eating habits taught at a young age will go a long way in maintaining the overall health of children plus they will continue to apply them in their later years as well. As children are generally quick fussy and picky eaters, you must introduce food in a new format everyday in order to pique their interest. Given below are some tasty recipes of snacks that children will surely love.

Apple, Dates n Carrot Sandwich

Brown bread – 12 slices buttered,

For the carrot spread – mix 1 cup of grated carrot with “thousand island dressing”**

For the apple spread – mix 1 cup grated carrot with ¼ cup chopped dates, 1 tbsp cream, 1 tbsp cheese spread and seasonings (salt, pepper) as required.

Spread a layer of carrot spread on 4 slices of bread and cover them with 4 other slices of bread. Apply a layer of apple spread on top side of each sandwich and cover them with the remaining 4 slices of bread. Cut the three sliced sandwich into 4 triangles or bite sized pieces and serve right away.

** Recipe to make “thousand island dressing”

200 gms fresh cream, 3 tbsp non-flavored yogurt, 2 tsp onions and capsicum chopped, 3 thsp tomato ketchup, ½ tsp chilly sauce ¼ tsp green chillies chopped, 1 tsp mustard powder, 1 tbsp sugar and salt as needed.

Beat cream well until it gets thick. Add all other ingredients and mix well. Store it in an airtight container and refrigerate it. Use it in 12 hours and serve cold.

Broccoli and cheese tikkis

Kids usually love to hate broccoli but they are very rich source of vitamins and minerals. They will surely love these tikkis with cheese added to it.

¼ cup chopped onions, ½ cup grated boiled potatoes, ½ tsp chopped broccoli, 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese, 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste, ¼ cup bread crumbs (for coating), 3 tsp olive oil.

Heat oil in a pan and add the chopped onions, ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a while. Add broccoli & salt and sauté till it is cooked. Remove from flame and mix in the grated potatoes and cheese. Keep aside. Divide the mixture in 3 or 4 equal portions. Fill in each mixture in different shaped cookie moulds or alternatively, flatten each mixture into small flat round tikkis in your palm. Roll each tikki in the bread crumbs and shallow fry them with ½ tsp of olive oil until it turns golden brown on both sides. Serve it with tomato ketchup.