Mealtime Of A Child: How To Make A Child's Mealtime More Interesting

Parents, are you looking for some ideas and advice on how to make mealtimes more interesting and healthier for children?

Children are, by nature, extremely picky when it comes to food. Your children's diets have an impact on their eating patterns for the rest of their lives. Therefore, every mother makes an effort to create creative food ideas and a healthy meal plan for their children. Include your children in food-related activities while planning meals. This will help them develop positive connections with food and may also have an impact on their eating habits.

This article provides techniques and sample meal ideas to keep children interested during mealtime.

You can also read: Winter Foods For Children: Best Winter Food Ideas For Your Children

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What Foods Are Suitable For Children?

Between the ages of three and five, children can eat a range of foods, therefore allowing you to feed your children the same foods as the rest of the family eats (this means trying to avoid offering separate food). Serve food that has a variety of flavors, textures, and colors.

What Portion Size Should A Child Eat?

It depends. Let your child choose how much food they eat. Do not force your child to eat completely. They might eat more sometimes and less occasionally. The child's appetite cannot be predicted because it varies from day to day.

Sample Meal Ideas For Children Ages 3 To 5 Years

Consider the sample meal below as a reference point; you can customize it to your child's preferences. Plan your meals and snacks every day at the same time. So that when it is time to eat, your child will naturally feel hungry.

	Meal Ideas
Breakfast	Steamed foods (Idli, Idiyappam), Dosa varieties (e.g.., Dosa topped with shredded carrots or chopped onions), porridge varieties (e.g.., rice porridge, millets porridge), scrambled eggs with a slice of toasted bread, wheat dosa, corn flakes or chocos (once in a week)   A glass of milk
Morning Snacks	Whole fruits (fruits into pieces or fresh fruit juice), veggies (carrot, cucumber), boiled sweet corn, sweet potato, pulses (black or white channa, green or white peas, kidney beans, etc..)
Lunch	Plain steamed rice with dhal curry, mixed veg pulao with curd (curd mixed with carrot, onion, or cucumber) raita, channa pulao with raita, steamed veggies or fired with less oil as a side dish
Evening Snacks	Homemade popcorn, veg sandwich, cookies, homemade cakes (once in a week), fresh veggies (carrots, cucumber), veg soup, mixed dry fruits, and nuts   A glass of milk
Dinner	Whole wheat parathas, pulka, roti's with veg or non-veg curry, whole wheat pasta, steamed food with curry
Bedtime Snack	A glass of milk

 

Parenting Advice For Feeding Your Child

1. Creative food ideas

--> Use different sizes and shapes to make the food interesting if you are introducing eggs or other fruits and veggies for the first time. This will help the child find the meal more interesting.  

--> Mash the vegetables and serve them on sandwiches, parathas, or other snacks.  

--> You can feed fruits in the form of homemade fresh pressed juice (use only the edible portion of the whole fruit to produce the juice without adding water or sugar) or cut up vegetables and fruits into small pieces for breakfast.

--> Understand why your child does not enjoy a particular dish. A few days later, try serving the same food in a different way.

--> While preparing a meal plan for children, make sure they have enough time for each meal. They are unable to eat as quickly as adults. It is important to let your kids eat by themselves, even if they make a mess.

2. Food options that provide the required nutrients

Every child needs these 8 essential nutrients for optimal growth and development. The nutrients are:

* Carbohydrates

* Proteins

* Healthy fats

* Calcium, iron, vitamins such as C, and A

Macronutrients, commonly known as carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats, are required on a daily basis. Other micronutrients such as calcium, iron, vitamin C, and vitamin A should be available in meals for at least 2-3 days.

Healthy Food Options For Children

--> For a child's healthy options, include whole wheat roti (wraps and rolls), vegetable pasta, rice and dhal, and other rice-based dishes like idli, dosa, kichadi, etc..,

Note: Grains are one of the major sources of energy and play a significant role in the meal.

--> Include fruits and vegetables as a snack at every meal. Fruits and vegetables contain fiber, which will keep your child full.

--> Calcium and protein are present in milk, curd, and cheese. You can add homemade date syrup, chocolate, or badam powder to milk to give it additional flavor.

--> Limit foods that are fried, and heavy in fat, sugar, and sodium.

Note: Remember to serve a variety of dishes every day and every week. The weekly menu plan should also ensure that the same dish is not served too frequently.

Final Thought

As parents, it is our responsibility to provide our children with a balanced, nutrient-rich meal to support their healthy growth and development. Children naturally have small tummies, but they have high nutrient needs. Therefore, moms should always be creative and cook interesting meals for their kids every day.

The sample food options and menu have been presented based on my knowledge and experience. I hope you like it.

Leave a comment if you have any other food options or menus you are following for your child.