Often our frenetic lifestyle easily absorbs our time, attention and best intentions. Before we know it, our children aren't getting the essential nutrients required for growing healthy.
Children’s food is often packed with refined ingredients including processed white flour, modified starches and additives that are known to do harm and are associated with several diseases and especially weight gain.
Weight is a sensitive topic, especially when it comes to children and teens. The number of children who continue to have an unhealthy, and potentially dangerous weight continues to grow in the UK. Childhood obesity, and excess weight, are significant health issues and can have serious implications for the physical and mental health of a child, which can then follow on into adulthood. Obesity is associated with poor emotional health, poor sleep, and many children experience bullying linked to their weight. Obese children are also more likely to become obese adults and have a higher risk of diabetes, disabilities and premature mortality in the future.
Healthy nutrition is the foundation for the growth of young children. Knowing what and how to feed children through their early years is essential as it helps establish healthy habits that will carry through their lives.
Always remember that you are a powerful role model. The way you think, talk and eat will affect how your kids think, talk and eat as well. Model the habits and attitudes that you want your children to have. Many scientific studies have shown that if you eat sensibly and exercise frequently, your child will be more likely to do the same.
Also, find out what’s on the school’s menu for lunch. School meals are not always the best choice, so why not starting to pack lunch for your child at least a couple of days per week. If you like the idea, then we've got it covered. Pack your kids off with healthy lunch boxes to keep them alert and full all day. Inspire yourself by these easy recipes which make the ideal school lunch box for children and they will love them!
Veggie noodles
Ingredients
100g noodles
3 tbsp frozen peas
1 cup of sugar snap peas halved lengthways
1 cup of baby corn, halved lengthways
1 onion
½ red pepper, deseeded and chopped
For the dressing:
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp clear honey
½ garlic clove
juice ½ lemon
For the omelette:
1 tbsp olive oil
Milk
2 eggs
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a non-stick frying pan. Add a splash of milk to the beaten eggs, then tip into the pan. Stir once and allow it to cook. Flip the omelette and cook on the other side until cooked through. Tip onto a board and cut into strips.
Cook the noodles following the instructions on the pack. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside. Meanwhile, mix the dressing ingredients together. Blanch the peas and sugar snap peas, then drain and run under cold water to stop them cooking any further.
Finally, mix the noodles with the baby corn, spring onion, red pepper and green veg, then toss with the dressing and top with strips of omelette.
Spirulina Pizza
Ingredients:
Non-GMO pre made corn meal crust
2 diced tomatoes
1/2 head of broccoli, chopped into small pieces
1 cup of green beans
1/4 head of cauliflower
cheese shredded
Oregano to taste
Black pepper to taste
1 tbsp spirulina powder
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Spread all ingredients on the crust, except the spirulina. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned.
Allow it to cool for a couple minutes and spread the spirulina on top.
Vegetable Chlorella Stir Fry
Ingredients:
8 carrots
4 courgette
2 onions
2 green cabbages
1 cup of coconut oil
6 tablespoons of Soy Sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons of chlorella
2 teaspoons of coconut
Instructions:
Chop all vegetables (separately). Heat the coconut oil in a large frying pan. Add the courgette, onions and carrots. Stir well and fry for 2 minutes. Add the cabbage to the mixture and fry for another 2 minutes.
Add the Coconut and mix. Remove the pan from the heat and cover for one minute Finally, add the chlorella powder and mix well.
Our children depend on us to give them a good start on their lives. As parents, we try the best that we can to give them what they need but it isn't always easy. Incorporating superfoods such as spirulina, chlorella and turmeric to children’s diet is a simple way to make sure they are getting the best nutrition. Take a look at our blog for more delicious and highly nutritious recipes.
