Introduce these 8 Superfoods To Your Kid’s Diet this Winter
One of the significant struggles every mother faces is building their kids’ immunity. They are concerned about strengthening their kid’s immunity, especially in the winter. Dressing the kids in layers of clothing and jackets will only be adequate if their diet is supplemented.
It is essential to build their immunity by introducing enjoyable natural foods.
Here are eight foods from your kitchen to include in your kid’s diet:
1. Jaggery
You can try jaggery and Wheat laddoo with roasted gingelly, homemade peanut butter chapatti rolls, or Poha with jaggery and grated coconut. Jaggery adds a unique flavour to many sweet dishes and is an excellent remedy for cough, cold or lung infection. Not only is jaggery healthier than sugar, but it also keeps your kid warm during the chilly winter season.
2. Soups
Soups are one of the best foods to keep your kids warm also maintain their digestive system.
Nothing warms better than a hot bowl/ mug of soup on a cold wintery day. You can include these vegetables in soups: -spinach/celery/broccoli/mushroom/beans/beetroot etc., or lentils as the base. Adding some pepper and ginger will keep their throats clear.
Adding an egg to the soup makes it creamier and tasty.
3. Eggs
Include eggs in their food. Eating eggs add protein and supplements their nutrition requirements. Several recipes are popular amongst kids, such as vegetable bread omelette, scrambled eggs, and poached eggs.
You can vary the vegetables added to the omelette to make it colourful – Carrots/beetroot/broccoli/capsicums etc.
4. Sweet potato
Sweet potato are rich in an antioxidant called beta carotene, which is very effective at raising blood levels of vitamin A, particularly in children and helps keep eyes healthy as well as their immune system. It tastes best when roasted and served with a dash of salt and pepper. Serve boiled Sweet potato after peeling and dicing it with a pinch of chaat masala. If your child is fond of curd, add sweet potato and serve.
5. Millet pancakes
Millets are rich in Vitamin B complex, high in protein, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc, gluten-free, and have low GI (Glycemic index), thus millets are suitable for kids allergic/ intolerant to wheat and helpful for muscle growth and development.
You can make Jowar/Ragi/Bajra pancakes or dosas at home with some experimentation.
These are healthy breakfast options not only in winter but all year round. You can serve it with curd, ghee, jaggery, or even Peanut chutney. Or else, go for chapatti with vegetable toppings like pizza.
6. Amla/Oranges/
Include Amla, Oranges, and Lemon, which are rich supplements of Vitamin C. Include Amla murabba instead of Jam. It enhances immunity, which is crucial for effectively fighting the common cold and flu.
7. Nuts
Nuts are one of the best foods that keep your child warm and energetic during winter. Be creative by adding cashews, almonds, peanuts, pistachios and walnuts to salads and snacks to keep them healthy the entire season.
Nuts in the diet will improve their metabolism. They serve as perfect snacks throughout the day, just roasted and served with a flavouring. Adding honey to roasted chopped nuts can be a variant.
8. Spiced Milk
Today what is served as a Turmeric latte is nothing but the above minus the garlic. A glass of milk with a pinch of turmeric, a flake of garlic and sugar candy (also called Misri or rock sugar) can be a favourite before winter. You can vary the flavour by adding different spices to keep the cold away – Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves or a lesser-known herb Mulethi.
Making your kid eat healthy winter foods can keep them disease-free and warm.