A four-point diet plan for your kids

Too much information is not always good information. I have seen many parents struggle with what could be an ideal diet for their children. Content all over the media often confuses them more than it guides them. My advice: Keep things simple as far as your kids are concerned.

Always serve a whole grain for breakfast: Stock up on brown rice or a millet (preferably organic) to cook poha. If cooked breakfast is not an option, blend cooked grain to their shakes (blend) or cereal (sprinkle and mix). This will set them up for sustained good sugars and thus reduce cravings and give them brain sugars to see them through a major portion of their day (upto 8 hours).

Stop giving them sugar at home: They are going to get enough of it from outside, so why not control it at home? Try teaching them on why sugar is not good for them. You could start with leaving one de-merit of sugar on your note board or fridge.

Provide a starchy snack when they crave one: Not a potato, but other options like sweet potato as chips, fries or baked; colocasia (arbi) can be made into chips (boil, flatten and pan fry; red pumpkin can be stuffed into a roti roll with other vegetables. Starchy snacks improve mood and provide natural serotonin for them to stay calm and happy.

Include coconut oil: Just 1 tbsp a day. I know that the smell generally puts the kids off. There are many brands available sans the smell. Blend it in their shakes or mix it in their food. It it help boost their energy levels. This is especially good before they engage in an activity.

Recipe

Strawberry-banana smoothie (Serves 2)

Ingredients
Yogurt: 2/3 cup
Coconut milk or milk: 1 1/2 cup
Banana: 2
Strawberries: 2 cups
Brown rice: 2 tbsp
Method: Blend ingredients to a creamy consistency

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