Healthy alternatives to processed foodsImage Credit source: Pexels
In today’s time, the amount of processed and packaged food in children’s plates is increasing rapidly. Chips, instant noodles, cakes, cookies, ready-to-eat snacks and colorful candies available in the market attract children a lot. Due to busy schedules, parents are also forced to give processed foods to their children. But they are unaware of the dangerous impact these processed foods can have on the health of their children. The recent Lancet report also calls for caution regarding ultra-processed foods. Especially its effect is being seen in children, due to which children are becoming victims of malnutrition.
The taste of ultra processed foods has become so prevalent in the mouths of children that they do not like healthy things at all. But today we are telling you some such healthy options, which the child will like and are also easy to make. The most important thing is that after eating these you will not feel that they are made at home with healthy ingredients. This will neither harm the child’s health nor the taste of the mouth.
Also read: How do ultra processed foods adversely affect children? Expert learned
Veg chips instead of potato chips
Children like the chips available in the market very much. But these chips contain a lot of preservatives, extra salt and oil. Which causes obesity in children. In such a situation, if you want to feed chips to your child, then you can feed him chips made from healthy ingredients at home. For this, prepare sweet potato, taro or banana chips. They taste exactly like the outside and are also healthy to eat. You just have to slice them thinly and bake them in air fryer or oven.
Make semolina noodles at home instead of instant noodles
Noodles are in the top favorite list of children. But this is not at all good for the health of the child. These are made from flour. Preservatives are also added. Instead, you can make noodles from semolina or flour and feed them to your child at home. These taste delicious and are not that harmful for health.
Jaggery-ghee flour laddus instead of biscuits and cookies
Flour, sugar and refined oil are used extensively in the market to make cookies and biscuits. These are also not considered good for the health of children. In such a situation, you can replace them and make homemade cookies or biscuits. For this, prepare cookies with wheat flour, desi ghee, jaggery and dry fruits. These will also provide adequate nutrition and will be liked by the child.
Fresh juice or smoothie instead of packed fruit juice
Children also like packed juices and smoothies available in the market. Even though these are said to be healthy, they are also not good for the health of children. In such a situation, you have the option that you can prepare fresh juice from different fruits at home and give it to your child. To make it a little more attractive, you can make smoothie and attract the child by giving some cartoon design on it. These will provide complete nutrition to the children.
Fruit bar or date roll instead of candy-chocolate
Children are crazy about candy and chocolate. But a lot of preservatives and chemicals are added to them, which are not good for the health of the child. In such a situation, prepare chocolate for the child yourself at home. For this, grind dates, raisins, almonds, cashews and sesame seeds and make small rolls or bars. Coat it with chocolate and feed it to the child.
Also read: What a big danger ultra processed food is for children! Lancet report is shocking