I think life is coming to a full circle where we moved from Home made food to processed and ready made food and are now moving from that back to real food. Food that is nutritious and full of health. Food that is convenient but not processed. I think as moms in the new age when I look at evening snacks or morning breakfast for kids its all about either no breakfast or saugary milk or cereal. Evening snacks are fruits or baked soya sticks, chips, cheese balls and biscuits. I must confess I am part of the brigade. With the daughter just refusing to even look at fruits there is not too much choice that you are left with for an evening snack.
I realized that I started option for more convenience food than making an attempt to think if these which are actually just filling her stomach are not adding back any nutrition. I always get into a conversation with myself at a supermarket that of I should get this, I can put it in for her in between meals or this is good when there is no help with breakfast or this she will just love, or this is a great tantrum snack. I was in the process justifying to myself on why I am buying these foods.
The toughest meal if your kid doesn’t eat fruits like mine to dish out is the evening snack. But what I know she loves are her veggies so why not try those with dips or even plain. Dry Fruits and nuts come really handy too. But for now I promise myself that I am not going to buy these for some time now.
1. Breakfast Cereal:
If you thought this is quick and convenient. Ofcourse it is but its got enough sugar to charge any one up. While it claims high fibre and full of health we know that it cant be as good as fresh Home made breakfast. Recently I saw this ad with madhuri giving her kids Oats Maggi. Really you think any mom is ever going to do that.
2. Sugary Drinks:
While the younger ones escape the carbonated drinks completely even the fruit juices and milkshakes, lets save them for road trips or travel where fresh home food is missing. It’s never going to be as healthy as eating a fruit so why substitute it?
3. Packaged Snacks:
When I see 2 year olds eating cheese balls, peppy, tomato chips and processed snacks I only think really what is it that we are exposing our kids too. Ofcourse junk food tastes so good because its bad for you. If chips and snacks is what you need to substitute it with then let it be home made chakris, chips, makhana or homemade puris. What you can be assured of is no added colour & preservatives.
4. Biscuits:
This one according to me is the toughest one to get rid off. It’ such a quick fix for everything. Â I am going to phase this one out slowly till the kids get okay without it. Probably start with atleast the cream ones that do more damage than the rest. My mom often tells me that what’s then harm when all of you grew up eating that and to this I say, mom we didn’t eat so much more that they eat today. Cupcakes, chocolates, flavoured milk, nutella and so much more. That’s why we are so particular.
5. Precooked Food, ready to reheat and serve:
This one is probably the first to get rid off because my kids have never tried it. Those frozen smileys and fries have never made it to our kitchens or to my kids mouths and I am very happy about it. Birthday parties or play dates they are on our list of not at all juts like colas. If the kids feel like eating fries which we all do then why not make some fresh ones. Probably a little more effort but a lot more health. If you can bake them and try different veggies then its even better.
Share with us your list of things to banish from your next visit at the grocery store. Share with your feedback in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram here.
Parul Gupta
KSP Team
Natasha Minocha
