Are you a parent of a fussy kid who only loves food cooked outside of your kitchen? But, you being you are worried about the effects that it might have on your munchkin’s health. Don’t you worry, because here is a blog that finds the perfect middle ground between you and your child?
Wondering what that means? Read on the blog to find out about the 5 foods your child can consume from outside.
Go on, read and let your child relish!
Kulfi
Kulfi is informally known as the Indian ice cream. It is prepared with boiled milk, sugar, saffron, cardamom and pista. Unlike ice creams in the west, it has a richer and thicker texture.
It originated in the Mughal empire and was prepared using ice brought from the Himalayas.
Kids would love this as it can be eaten on hot summer days and serves as a healthy and tastier alternative to ice cream. And voila, nowadays there are several flavors of Kulfi like Mango, Pista, Almond, Malai, and Cranberry.
Here’s why we give a thumbs up for Kulfi:
- No artificial coloring or sweetening, or essence involved in the preparation of Kulfi.
- Fewer calories and sodium in comparison to ice cream.
- Very rich in calcium, carbohydrates, Vitamin A and C, as it contains a generous helping of pistachio and almonds.
Dabeli
Dabeli is a famous street food that has its origins in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat and is sometimes also called as Kutchi Dabeli. The desi hearts call it the Indian Burger, because of its resemblance to an American burger.
It is a sweet but spicy combination of boiled-mashed potatoes, special dabeli masala, lemon juice, coriander and tamarind chutney placed between two Pavs, and is then garnished with sev, onions, and pomegranate. It is then served with a chutney made from dates, garlic, and red chilies.
In addition to the proteins, fibers, and carbohydrates, it also contains Zinc, Iron, Vitamin C, Manganese and Potassium. The potato contains a good number of carbohydrates and is thus easy to digest. The fibers in the Potato stimulates bowel movement, enhances the secretion of gastric juices and prevents constipation.
The fibers also help with flushing cholesterol out of the arteries and blood vessels, and thus improves the heart health. The tamarind in the chutney contains a good amount of iron and helps maintain the red blood cell count in the body.
Smoothies
Smoothies are a healthier option in comparison to juice as they contain more fruit than water and are more fibrous. They are often in the form of fruit and vegetables blended together with healthy milk options like almond milk, soy milk with added nuts, pistachios and muesli, making it fulfilling yet wholesome.
Here are a couple of our favorite combinations.
- Banana and green peach smoothie, which contain frozen banana instead of ice.
- Carrot juice, apple, and celery smoothie, which helps in cleaning out the liver and is a rich source of Vitamin C.
Falafel
Falafel is one of the most popular dishes across the world. They are made out of ground chickpeas, rolled into a ball and are steamed or fried and give a crisp texture. Given that they are made of chickpeas, they are high in protein, low in calories and contain significant amounts of zinc, potassium, and manganese and small amounts of Vitamin A and C.They help stimulate bowel movement, lowers cholesterol and are often fried in healthy oils like Olive oil.
It is then served with Hummus, which is prepared using chickpeas, ground sesame seeds, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. Needless to say, it is a rich source of protein. It is a source of high dietary fiber, low glycemic index, great for weight loss and the combination overall is a very tasty and healthy snack option for kids.
Sandwiches
Sandwiches are always a healthy option coming to kids, as they often contain veggies like carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, tomatoes and also lettuce with some cheese. They tickle your child’s taste buds and also soothes the parent’s soul.
Nowadays fruit sandwiches are gaining popularity, with combinations like blueberry and banana sandwich, kiwi and strawberry sandwiches coming up in restaurants and cafes across the country.
So, dear parents, do you now feel confident enough to let your child gorge on such fun-filled street foods?