10 Healthy Summer Food Ideas For Kids
It is also the time when summer camps mushroom around your city. Add to this is the conversation which invariably whirls around your kids – ‘Oh my kid will be off to an art and craft class in the morning, then mid morning for swimming, post lunch to a guitar class and evening is for tennis.’ Try saying that all in the same breath!
With all those activities cramming in a single day, your child needs his/her daily dose of nutrition. Energy requirement to drive oneself from one camp to another becomes high. It’s a truth, that good input gives great output-energy!
[ Read: Healthy Eating Habits for Children ]
10 Healthy Summer Food Ideas For Kids:
The best and healthy summer foods for kids are drinks, juices, fruit Cups, yogurt, wraps, burgers, pancakes, eggs, popcorn, watermelon/musk melon and naturally sweet. Read below to know about each food option in detail.
1. Drinks and Juices:
When the mercury rises, you need to prepare foods which are cool! Juices, especially those made with coconut water, lemon, cucumber or watermelon are coolants for the blistering heat. Blend it with fresh sprigs of mint.
2. Fruit Cups:
Whether its breakfast, dessert or a mid-afternoon snack, a chilled fruit salad is a fresh, delicious choice for the entire family. Halve a melon and fill it with sliced papaya or tender coconut slices.
[ Read: Nutritious Food for Kids ]
3. Yogurt:
Curd is a delicious coolant. You can also add fruits to the curds to make a lip-smacking and wholesome smoothie; or just churn it with water, add some jaljeera powder. You can also give masala buttermilk during the summer.
4. Wraps:
A revised version of a chapatti roll, a wrap has lots of health wrapped in it. You can fill in lots of those stamina foods – beans, low-fat cheese, vegetables (red and green capsicum, corn, green onions, spinach, mushrooms), and chicken into these all time favourite among kids.
[ Read: Weight Gain Foods for Kids ]
5. Burgers:
Though there is so much chest-beating about it as a junkie, you could spice it up with healthy fillings like whipped curd instead of mayonnaise. Instead of red meat, you can grill them with patties made of chicken, lentils or vegetables. Fruits, like a pineapple round with a dash of pepper, also make healthy patties.
6. Pancakes:
For an instant energy booster, dish out a fun breakfast for kids with a sliced banana pancake, made of whole wheat grain and topped with fresh chilled strawberries. Your kid will gorge on this yummy breakfast for sure!
7. Eggs:
Used with caution, eggs have an amazing quotient of stamina. Scrambled eggs sautéed with mushrooms, along with wholegrain bread is a favourite amongst kids. Egg-nog with a few drops of vanilla essence, French toast with almond flakes and caramel egg-custard also work great with picky eaters.
[ Read: Egg Recipes for Kids ]
8. Popcorn:
Yes! Pop corn is a healthy food for kids in summer. Add a dash of cheese, salt and pepper to make it zingy and take caution to serve in small quantities.
9. Watermelon / Musk melon:
Serve it as juice or wedges, either way they are delicious. Make sure they are on your dining table every meal and eat the seeds as well for its iron content. You can also freeze water melon sorbet and enjoy them as popsicles, for a change!
10. Naturally sweet:
A fistful of almonds, raisins and walnuts together, mixed in a small cup of yoghurt, is healthier than Nutty Ice cream. Dark chocolate sauce topping on strawberries is another “cool” deal. If needed add little amount of whipped cream as a special treat.
To Help Your Kids Eat Despite the Heat:
Children can be fussy eaters and they may especially be resistant to eating a lot during the hot months. For a busy mom, like you, it is normal to get stuck with a “what do I pack for the box during summer?” and then settle down for a quick-noodles. Here are 10 summer foods for kids that are ideal for pre-teens; are non-messy- so you can pack them; or just for a change have them on the home-meal menu. So get- set, mommy!
So next time, steer clear of the sly advertisements on ‘quick noodles and instant stamina’. Instead, stir up some ‘quick- fix super ten food’ in your kitchen and offer healthy and tasty foods to your family. Happy summer snacking!
Let us know more of your secret summer recipes from the comment section below:
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