My Fijian Indian Mum was my inspiration for home cooking and healthier living…. well eventually after going through an unhealthy lifestyle in my early 20’s. I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with her growing up as she was a single mum. She had her own vegetable garden and cooked everything from scratch to this day. A child’s parents, or those they spend the most time with, play a huge role in the quality of their health and lifestyle. I’m grateful my Mum became my inspiration for what I do now.
Lay the right foundations for your kids, and that will reflect in their health and food choices as they get older. Here are a top 5 ways to help nourish your kids and have fun in the process!
- Plan for healthy meals
Plan for the week ahead and ensure all meals are healthy and something your children will actually eat. Ask your kids what they want to eat and cook healthier versions of them. You can easily make delicious healthy pizzas, oven baked sweet potato fries and creamy home-made gelato just by blending frozen fruits with a splash of milk in your blender or vitamix.
- Make nutrition fun
Kids are more likely to eat and enjoy their food if they help prepare it, so allow them to enjoy the process and have fun along the way. You could plant a veggie garden together and eat what you harvest. Have a fun day out at the farmers markets and make a delicious meal from the ingredients you bring home that you pick together. Educate your kids on where their food has come from and why it’s good for them so they remember the importance in their later years and as the start to move out of the family coop.
- Detox your kitchen
Make your fridge, pantry and cupboards free from high-sugar, high fat and processed snacks and treats. Replace the cookie or lolly jar with an inviting bowl of fresh fruit, and make your own healthier versions of your favourite treats a family affair. We didn’t have much money when I was a kid so didn’t have many of those foods and options available, we also didn’t know any different so didn’t know what we were missing out on.
- Be a role model
Commit to setting aside some time every week to get active with the kids. Whether it’s going to a nearby park to play on the swings or going to the local pools, the important thing is to move and enjoy physical activity. Too many kids under 5 these days know how to use electronic devices better than their parents. We need to change this mentally and spend time with the next generation. If you don’t make the time now, you will regret it in the future.
- Reward kids with a fun day out, not junk food
If you’re like many parents who reward their kids with lollies or a snack for a job well done, why not consider having a beach day or picnic somewhere as a reward. Chances are they will enjoy the bonding time and get a healthy dose of vitamin D, for strong healthy bones, in the process. You can even sneak in a lolly when you are there.
Below is an example of a healthy snack that you can make in the kitchen and keep for the week and you can tailor it to your liking.
Peanut butter protein balls
These protein balls take about 5 minutes to make and are the perfect portable breakfast or snack the kids will love!
Ingredients (makes 12 balls)
- 120 g fresh pitted dates
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup desiccated coconut
- 1 tablespoon Healthy Chef Protein
- 150 g peanut butter of your choice of nut butter (almond, macadamia etc)
- a little water to mix, if needed
Method
Combine dates, oats, coconut and Healthy Chef Protein into a food processor or blender.
Mix through until the mixture looks like crumbs and dates have mixed through the oats.
Remove the mixture and place into a large bowl.
Add the nut butter and mix through until combined. Add more water if needed to mix into a dough.
Scoop out 12 portions using a small ice cream scoop.
Roll into balls and roll in chopped nuts, oats, granola or coconut.
Store in the fridge for optimum freshness until needed for up to 7 days.
This article is brought to you by TAL, in partnership with Healthy Chef aiming to inspire healthier, happier lives.
Disclaimer
The above health and medical information is general information only and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified medical or other health professional. If you are concerned about your child’s diet or if your child has special dietary needs, please speak with your GP or a qualified dietitian.
