Yes, it's all about food for health!!! Especially, when it comes to kids it should be absolutely fresh, safe and healthy for their overall goodness in life!
There is no doubt that everybody loves the winter, so does the kids for the cool outdoor events, change in wardrobe, green veggies and the rich food you love relishing in this season. So putting down a list of extremely healthy and a winter delicacy is a must and to enjoy having them during winter especially for kids. But, it also should be kept in mind that a kid needs to eat variety in food so that he understands about different tastes and gets adjustable to it from the very tender age especially to get resistant to various health factors.
Whether we speak about Indianised or Westernized food habits we would have followed the food line which is almost similar when it comes to the veggies only preparation does vary and also except those regional/ ethnic delicacies that every region tends to have its own. Whether it’s a breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner all these foods add on to the freshness of health in the winter. Moreover, we all know that food habits does change with the change in geography so here we go on exploring those foods which are unanimously known to be ideal winter food more precisely in India for its kinds even though the factor of Indianised and Westernized food habits differ in many ways. Like for example, in China preference is given to hearty lamb and date stews, braised chicken and chestnuts, steamy hong shao rous and steamed egg custards, soups.
1. Green Garlic: (Garlic with long leaves just like Spring Onions) this one is very good for their health and fight all the cold, coughs, virals and has a very strong flavour. Add it to your veggies, to bajre ki rotis or just about everything.
2. Ponkh or Green Wheat: It's extremely healthy and all you need to do is buy, wash and add lemon juice and some salt. There is a special sev that you serve with this ponkh which is slightly spicy so go easy on it while adding it for the babies.
3. Hara Chana/Fresh Green Garbanzos: This one is an absolute delight with the pods hanging from long leafy stems. You can get these at most vegetable vendors. Boil them, add some tomatoes, onions, salt, lemon juice and red chilli powder and serve as a snack. The traditional way is to roast it on a sigdi and then eat them.
4. Orange & Yellow Haldi (Amba Haldi): This one is so medicinal that if your kids are addicted to it you will be one happy mom. As gujjus we eat it with all our meals especially with the plas and its sour taste and colour is loved by the kids.
5. Different varieties of Mirchis/Spices: The variety of mirchis you get during winters is amazing and if you are wondering why it has made to our list for the kids it’s because they are non spicy. Make into a pickle or stuff with it some besan. This one can be a great option of second veggie during winters.
6. Bajra: This one is extremely good for winters and even though you can have it round the year it gives a perfect roti option. Serve it with ghee and jaggery or with “baingan bharta and udad ki dal”. But make them try it if they haven’t already.
7. Amla: Filled with Vitamin C this one is extremely nutritious. Add some salt and haldi to add to the taste. The kids will love it.
8. Green leafy veggies: Everyday of the week introduces a new veggie and recipe. From the sua bhajji/dil to fresh spring onions, spinach, Methi, Tanjaliya, etc.
9. Sweet Potato, Beet Root and Carrot: It’s roasted on the sigdi, peeled and then served hot with some chaat masala. Try lots of different recipes with this one like tikkis and chaat or just eat it plain with some chaat masala. It’s also eaten raw or boiled form by making into salad combining other leafy veggies.
10. Black Til (Black Sesame seeds): This one is heaty so you may need to restrict is during other months. But the black til can be consumed in many forms. Eat it as or in form of chikkis, sani (crushed black til with jaggery & ghee) It’s Very high in iron.
Along with the above foods various milk products like curd, cheese, butter has very good value addition to a child’s health.
Facts.. Not to be forgotten!!!
The most important Big Three nutrients necessary for the kids and toddlers:
Proteins which you find in meat, fish, beans and stuff
Carbohydrates - sugar is one and you find others in bread, cereals and vegetables
Fat - I guess you know what that is. You find it in fried foods, cheese, butter, margarine and oils along with vitamins A, B, C, D and E. Scientifically, it has been proven that winter season keeps us healthy and it increases the strength of our digestive system. Due to low temperatures of the environment, our body emits heat which is a form of energy. So we need more energy in winter season, thus making us eat more. In this condition, if you do not have a healthy balanced diet, you risk being ill.
Therefore Kids.... Eat healthy and fresh and make life more beautiful!
Because, It's not about which country we belong to but it's more important to know what we eat, when we eat and how we them...
Happy Healthy Life!
(AW:Samrat Biswas)
