As mums, one of our primary roles is to ensure that our little ones are getting all the nutrients and vitamins they need for healthy growth and development. In theory, this couldn’t be simpler, but the reality is that it can be a struggle to get littlies to eat. Finding healthy foods that they actually want to eat can be a challenge, and it’s often simpler to resort to easy favourites, just to fill their tummies.
I have scoured the earth looking for quick, easy and healthy snacks to feed my growing brood, and thought you might like to know what I’ve found.
Lesson number one of Mummy School, is cut everything with cookie cutters, for maximum edibility. It’s worth the investment.
Eggs are so versatile, and full of great stuff. Scramble them with spinach, tomatoes or tuna, poach them, boil them and serve with cheesy wholegrain soldiers. For added incentive, take the littlies to buy a special egg cup each, or draw Humpty Dumpty on the outsides. Throw any vegetable or protein into omelettes, and serve them small and hot, or in chunky wedges or squares.
Milk and yogurt couldn’t be better for growing bodies. Simply blend milk and fruit for milkshakes. Or add yoghurt and a banana for a smoothie. Try littlies with yogurt and fresh fruit, crunchy cereals or dried fruits and nuts. These are great for mixing, dipping or sprinkling. Use fruit, coconut or grated chocolate to make yoghurt icy poles and frozen yoghurt for treat time.
Fruit and vegetables are every day essentials for little ones, so let your creativity run wild. Arrange bite sized pieces in the shape of a face or a house, make colourful kebabs, use a melon baller to make fruit balls, or cut out shapes, and ask the littlies to make you a picture. Baby vegetables are great snacks on their own or with humous, peanut butter or cream cheese. Try serving fruit stewed, roasted with a drizzle of honey or frozen on a stick. Or make a fruity crumble, vegetable muffins, or a hearty vegetable soup.
Healthy food can be easy food, and healthy easy food is a Mummy’s best friend. Along with her cookie cutter!
Bio
Abi Gold recently launched Juggle Family and Parenting Consultancy, which offers counselling and support for busy mums and dads, by Skype and by phone. Abi is a real life mum of 4, a Family Therapist, Counsellor and Family Mediator, who specialises in perinatal mental health and families with young children. Abi knows exactly how tough it can be to juggle all the things that busy mums and dads do, and has some great techniques for survival! Look Abi up at www.familyjuggle.com.au or give her a call on 03 9028 5955
