Contributed by Paula of ChewTheWorld.com
Want to Give Your Kids A Treat Everyday? Try These 5 Easy-to-Make Recipes
Parents often feel that a three-meal system is perfectly sufficient for their kids – but the truth is that snacks contribute a great deal to overall growth and development too. You ought to know – snacks almost bring in 15% of the total calories your kids need on a daily basis. Here’s the catch, just about any snack won’t cut it, you must choose wisely.
Your kids spend a lot of energy with their games and activities, plus they still have an immature digestive system that can’t go on without eating for long. So snacks are a perfect bait to keep their tummies filled every now and then – whether they like it or not.
Being a parent is hard and getting your kids to eat healthy is harder. We’ve compiled a list that contains recipes kids will love. You don’t need to look anywhere else.
Here’s your list of healthy homemade snacks for kids:
1) Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are a great alternative to those greasy and unhealthy French fries. Let’s talk about the facts – potatoes contain vitamin C and folic acid, making it perfect for people of all ages. Just cut them into thin slices, bake them in the oven and you’re done!
Potatoes have high amounts of copper and iron which directly boost cognitive capabilities. Manganese, potassium and vitamin B6 are each known to boost brain functions, while the nerve centres positively respond to fatty acids and amino acids.
It’s an all round healthy snack and you could very well prep it for your entire family as a whole.
2) Cereals, A Bit Of Magic In Every box
Cereal products are of great value to the body. They’re not just some random filler snack, the results are indeed tangible. First of all, they are an excellent source of fiber. Fibre forms the basis of metabolism in our body. They’re great taste wise too. Recall those tiresome evenings – just provide your kids with a dose of crispy flakes to rejuvenate them up.
Cereals are protective against many pathogens. Several studies conducted on whole grains have proven to be particularly suitable to prevent and protect many diseases, such as coronary heart disorders and colon cancer.
You could also combine them with a milkshake if your kid is too choosy. Exercise some caution though – never buy ready-made cocktails at supermarkets and convenience stores, they contain large amounts of sugar. It would be much better if you could cook them yourself.
3) Popcorn, Everybody’s Fatal Weakness
Contrary to popular belief the negative, popcorn is considered a healthy food and is recommended by many nutritionists. You could buy cook-at-home packets at a nearby departmental store and get them all ready in under two minutes.
Hold your breath – popcorn is a whole grain containing all bran fiber, minerals and vitamin B. Its high fiber content keeps your body functioning just right – which means that bowel movements will be quick and smooth through the digestive tract, preventing constipation and keeping the digestive system healthy.
Additionally, popcorn helps in the removal of excessive cholesterol from blood vessels and arteries, reducing levels of total cholesterol – effectively decreasing the chances of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes. This in turn, reduces the stress on the cardiac system as the heart does not have to work hard to move blood through vessels and clogged arteries.
4) Cake Pops, What’s Life Without Pastry?
Cake Pops are extremely easy to prepare. They also taste way better than muffins or biscuits and are much healthier.
Here’s the cake pops recipe:
1 cup of unsalted and softened butter
1 cup of sugar
Pinch of salt
Two teaspoons of vanilla extract
5 eggs
2 cups of cake flour
1/4 cups of milk
Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees as you get down to work.
- Mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and add a pinch of salt.
- Run the resultant mixture through a tapping sieve shaker. This way there will be no lumps and all dry ingredients will be perfectly integrated.
- Add some eggs as per requirement while you do this, one by one without taking any breaks. Mix well.
- Once done, spread it all over a pan of about with butter and flour. Now, pour the dough and bake the mixture for approximately 30 minutes.
5) Hazelnut and Banana Pancakes, Straight From The Garden!
Raw vegetables and fruits have always been an irreplaceable source of minerals and vitamins. Due to the fact that they taste sweet and tasty, they can even replace traditional sweets. Why cook them (a process that ends up destroying most nutrients) when they can be consumed directly? The best part is they all taste great. All you need to do is figure out what works best for your kid.
Have a go at the Hazelnut and Banana Pancakes.
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons of baking powder
2 tablespoons of hazelnut cream
1 cup of flour
1 cup of milk
1 large egg
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 sliced banana
Preparation:
- In a bowl, mix some flour and baking powder. Make some space in the middle and add eggs, milk, oil – start mixing them from the inside out.
- After you’re done, place a pancake in the skillet with medium heat and distribute half the hazelnut cream with banana slices and cover it with another pancake and let the cream melt. Now, serve with some syrup.
- If there is a shortage of fresh fruit, you could always offer dried fruits, which could be served with some whipped cream.
Do your research well, if you find snacks and recipes that suit your lifestyle and location better, don’t hesitate to switch. Junk food is okay when consumed in moderation, but ultimately it becomes our responsibility to make sure everything is under control. It would be ideal if you could steer your kids clear from excessive fast food, chips and carbonated drinks – they often lead to obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
Remember, don’t ever let your kids skip food. An ideal diet will consist of five to six servings a day. If your kid is a slow eater or not the foodie type, just start with 3 meals a day and gradually fill in the gaps with our suggestions.
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Author Bio:
Paula Hughes is the founder of ChewTheWorld.com, a foodie blog that aims to help modern moms to prepare and enjoy exquisite meals. Concentrated on many interesting recipes, top lists of kitchen stuff, and in-depth guides on everything related to the kitchen. On the other hand, also a mother of two where she balances between her passion and her biggest joy in life.
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
So delicious pics, it’s might be extremely tasty! Thanks for sharing such recipes!