It is wrongly believed that healthy is synonymous with boring. But what if I told you, that healthy can be tasty too.  Yes, you read that right, and no I am not joking.

Kids today, want to eat food which tastes good but, do not care much about the nutritional value. This is the domain of the worrier mother because we know that poor nutrition can interrupt the growth guidelines of children.

Today, I want to share two recipes which are not only healthy but also taste really yummy. 

But, remember mothers, only yum food is not enough for a growing child – they need physical activity as well. So, I also want to share with you three ways in which you can introduce play into your child’s daily schedule to reduce screen time.

First, healthy food:

Also read: Why protein drinks are important for your child’s growth

Healthy can be tasty too: Recipe 1

Almond Milk Shake

Ingredients

• 10 Almonds
• 1 cup milk or water
• 1 Spoon PediaSure
• ½ Cup Oatmeal

Method

1. The recipe is pretty self-explanatory, and all you need to do is throw in all the ingredients together in your mixer/blender.
2. You can top it with some ice-cream if you want. This step is totally optional.
3. This drink is perfect, just before school or as an evening snack. There are carbs, protein and taste as well. 
4. You can swap almonds with cashews if you want.

Healthy can be tasty too: Recipe 2

Oatmeal Protein Pancake

Ingredients

• 2 Egg whites
• 40 g oatmeal
• Nutella or Honey for topping

Method

1. Whisk the egg whites until frothy.
2. Add in the oatmeal, and beat until its mixed well.
3. Now heat the pan, on low flame add some oil (very little).
4. Use a ladle to scoop out the batter and add it to the pan, giving a round shape.
5. There are moulds available in the market too, so that is a bonus if you are sloppy like me.

Build healthy food habits right from the start. Today, everything “junk” is, unfortunately, just a tap away. It has thus become crucial that we as parents inculcate healthy eating habits and follow the growth guidelines of kids. To build healthy habits in your child, make sure you follow them as well. After all, your child will imitate everything that you do!

Introducing play into your child’s routine

Play and physical activity is the next step to growing right. Play helps in developing essential skills in your child which can range from physical growth, cognitive development and emotional wellbeing.

Here are 3 ways in which you can introduce play in your child’s routine: 

1. Give them paint and papers to discover new colours. My son used to hate the colouring books so I gave him plain paper to colour on. He made some amazing abstract paintings which still adorn my fridge! 
2. Limit screen time by encouraging them to read books or to solve a puzzle or to spend some time with their friends. What really worked for me was reading with my son. I would remove some time every day to read a page or two with him. This really worked towards instilling a love of reading in him. 
3. Get creative! Find different ways you can involve your child in different activities around the house. You can even plan a cool DIY obstacle course for them like show in this video:

Nutrition and Play to Grow Right

Ensuring that they get all their nutrition requirements that support their physical and cognitive development is crucial. If you feel that your child is not getting a complete and balanced diet, try using supplements like PediaSure – a scientifically formulated health drink that is perfect for your child’s daily nutritional needs.

The idea is to make healthy food yum and play fun so that it attracts and appeals to your child. 

I would love to know some of your tips on how you reduce screen time for your child. Share them in the comments below!

Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only. It is a sponsored post written in collaboration with the brand, but all the views expressed are my own. Please read my full disclaimer here.